Star alum Reed visits practice

‘The reason I came here was our tradition’

CORAL GABLES — When Ed Reed arrived at the Greentree Practice Field this past Saturday to watch Miami’s first scrimmage of the spring, he was quickly stopped by security guards, who asked to see his pass.

Reed’s national championship ring — the one he wears on a black cord around his neck during his visits to the Miami campus — wasn’t enough to get him on the field. Neither was the fact he was joined by two fellow former Hurricane stars, running back Lamar Miller and receiver Travis Benjamin.

Miami coach Mark Richt, a former Hurricanes football player himself, noticed. He walked over to the entrance and quickly alerted security to the fact that Reed, Miller and Benjamin were more than welcome on the practice field where they once toiled.

That welcome, Reed said Tuesday, has meant the world to him and other former Hurricanes who are as invested as the current players in helping Miami regain its championship form.

“The reason I came here was our tradition. That’s what we had when we were. That’s one thing that stuck with me through my whole football career in the NFL, that helped us win a championship in Baltimore, is that tradition,” Reed told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. “That’s what guys tend to lose and you can’t lose that. Those guys have to know, that’s why we’re here. That’s why you come here. It’s something that’s everlasting. This brotherhood is something that won’t ever go away. These guys are going to have these memories forever, working out together, going through the bumps and bruises of life together.”

Like most observers of Saturday’s closed scrimmage, Reed said he saw positives, particularly from some of Miami’s youngest players, early enrollees Greg Rousseau and Gilbert Frierson.

According to UM, Rousseau, a defensive end out of Champagnat Catholic in Hialeah, had seven tackles, including five for losses and four sacks. Frierson, a corner from Coral Gables High, had four tackles, including one for loss, and an interception he returned 15 yards.

Their play caught Reed’s attention, though he smiled and said he was still learning the names and numbers on Miami’s roster. “I like their size. Those kids are huge,” said Reed, who played safety at UM. “No doubt there’s a lot of potential.”

As to Miami’s quarterbacks, who have commanded plenty of attention this spring as youngsters N’Kosi Perry, Cade Weldon and Jarren Williams push starter Malik Rosier for playing time, Reed said there were encouraging signs there, too.

“I see them making great decisions. I see them pushing the limit on what they can do and that’s what this is for. Spring is for taking chances, and spring is for seeing what you can do, knowing your limitations,” Reed said. “Seeing those guys make good decisions, that’s growth. It comes in time. You have to push it to the limit here and figure out what you need to work on going forward.”

Back to work

Hurricanes defensive end Demetrius Jackson, who has been limited throughout the spring as he works back from a seasonending knee injury, was with the defensive line group during the early portion of Tuesday’s practice. He was in full uniform, going through non-contact drills.

Weldon, who missed practice last Thursday and sat out Saturday’s scrimmage with an eye infection, was not on the field during Tuesday’s media viewing portion of practice.