Rookie safety Reid enjoys loads of support in bid for starting job
Surrounded by family, Texans safety Justin Reid was feeling the love. Reid wore a huge smile as he hugged them and posed for photographs.
It was a significant moment for the Texans’ top draft pick Thursday morning following a joint training camp practice with the San Francisco 49ers.
The younger brother of former 49ers Pro Bowl safety Eric Reid, the rookie had just finished competing against a ton of his friends from the NFC West franchise. He nearly picked off a Jimmy Garoppolo pass during a two-minute drill. And Reid’s family was there to proudly soak it all up.
His family watched the rapid
ascent of the 21-year-old Louisiana native from being a blue-chip recruit to emerge as a secondteam All-American and, now, an NFL rookie following in his older brother’s footsteps.
“There’s so much symbolism going on,” Reid said. “I know a ton of the 49ers already. I’ve been rooting for them for the past five years with my brother playing for them. It was pretty cool.”
Reid can’t wait to perform in front of his family and new fans Saturday night in his first NFL game at NRG Stadium.
Reid started in last week’s NFL preseason opener next to veteran Kareem Jackson. This marks his introduction to the Texans’ fan base.
“I can’t wait to play in that stadium,” Reid said. “I did a walkthrough and it was the coolest thing ever. I can imagine and picture how it’s going to be. It’s wild how many fans are here to support us at practice. I just know the game is going to be crazy.”
Signed to a four-year, $4.063 million contract, Reid trails Jackson in competition for a starting job. Former Arizona Cardinals All-Pro selection Tyrann Mathieu has one safety job locked down, but Jackson and Reid are expected to play a lot opposite him.
Building confidence
Reid dealt with nervousness during that opening 17-10 preseason victory over the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. He came in too fast and high, didn’t break down in the open field and missed his first tackle attempt, finishing the game with one tackle overall.
“It was really first-game jitters,” Reid said. “I was so excited. I was a little bit too aggressive instead of being patient as I should have. It’s just about getting those first-game jitters out of the way. It was a good learning experience.
“Actually, it was a huge confidence-builder. I know the speed of the game. I know how well I can compete at this level.”
A former all-state pick in Louisiana, Reid was an All-Pac-12 selection. He is a big, fast, physical safety at 6-1, 205 pounds. He has run the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds with a 36-inch vertical leap.
“He reminds me so much of his brother,” Mathieu said. “Very sharp young man, very respectful. But when he gets on the football field, he has a mean streak.”
Reid has fit in well with the locker-room chemistry and is learning from the veterans.
“It’s a family,” he said. “They are literally your brothers. The league as a whole is a fraternity.”
Reid has a history of making a quick impact. He started as a freshman in college, intercepting one pass. Reid had 57 tackles as a sophomore, four for losses.
“I think Justin’s a really mature guy who works hard,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “If he keeps that attitude, he’ll get better every day.”
Last season, Reid had 99 tackles, 6½ for losses, five interceptions and six passes defended.
Making himself at home
Reid has flashed a lot of potential. It’s just a matter of harnessing his considerable energy and enthusiasm.
“He’s made some plays out there,” Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins said. “I really wasn’t paying too much attention to him going against San Francisco. But what I did see, I saw him breaking on the ball pretty good.”
With his family living in Houston roughly 20 minutes from NRG Stadium, Reid is making a smooth adjustment to being a pro athlete. He has the talent, pedigree, size and athleticism in his favor.
“My family actually all lives in Houston now,” Reid said. “It’s nice I got drafted over here. I have a lot of family in the area. They’ve made it a lot easier transition to the city and knowing where places are. I have my own place. I’m in the middle of furnishing it: full-blown adulthood. I’ve got bills now.”