Jeremy Reaves

A three-year starter at South Alabama, Reaves quickly proved his value in the Jaguars’ secondary, starting his career as the “Star” safety before moving to cornerback and then to “Rover” safety, finishing his USA career at free safety as a senior. He added the necessary weight for the safety position and his dedication in the weight and film rooms are clear to see on tape – and his coaches back up his desire to be great. Reaves is a balanced athlete with enough range to make plays vs. the pass and the run, but he must improve his eye discipline and decision-making to eliminate negative reps. BACKGROUND Reaves was primarily a running back in his youth before moving to defensive back as a junior at Pensacola Catholic. He posted 39 tackles and five interceptions in an injury-plagued senior year at Pensacola Catholic, helping the Crusaders to a 12-1 season in 2013. He received recruiting interest from SEC programs, but his back injury as a senior was a serious issue, ultimately signing with South Alabama over Southern Miss and UAB. Reaves came off the bench as a true freshman and posted 16 tackles and one forced fumble in 2014. He became a starter as a sophomore and split his time between cornerback and safety, finishing with 96 tackles, eight passes defended and two interceptions to earn Second Team All-Sun Belt honors. Reaves again split time between corner and safety (Rover) as a junior and posted 85 tackles, 10 passes defended and three interceptions to earn First Team All-Sun Belt honors. He moved to free safety and had his most productive season with a team-best 104 tackles and three interceptions, adding 11 passes defended to earn Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-Sun Belt honors.

in our view

Reaves isn’t a dynamic size/speed/strength prospect, but he is a football lifer with the competitive make-up and versatile experience to provide depth on the safety depth chart.

strengths

Short, but not small with earned upper and lower body muscle definition. Not a burner, but plays with range expected from a safety. Smooth feet and redirection skills. Soft hands and makes athletic plays on the ball, competing with a “my ball” mentality when the ball is up for grabs. Responsible for 17 forced turnovers in his career (nine forced fumbles, eight interceptions). Comes to balance well in open space and tackles low. Senior captain and vocal leader who isn’t afraid to speak up. Has seen the field from every angle with his versatile starting experience at cornerback and various safety positions. Impressive collegiate resume with 300+ tackles as a three-year starter – played in all 49 games South Alabama played the last four seasons. – Dane Brugler 2/7/2018

weaknesses

Lacks ideal height and arm length for the position. Movements lack dynamic burst. Reacts first, thinks later, leading to missteps and out-of-position plays. Cover instincts aren’t a weakness, but they aren’t a strength either. Spacing was an issue on film, mostly due to undeveloped route anticipation. Bites hard on play fakes, vacating space and creating passing zones for the offense. Jekyll-Hyde in run support, appearing too calculated one play and then overaggressive on the next. Tackling technique needs shored up. Swallowed up by blocks near the line of scrimmage. – Dane Brugler 2/7/2018

Attended Pensacola Catholic High. A two-star recruit according to both Scout.com and 247Sports.com

Was a three-year letterwinner at Pensacola Catholic High

As a senior, recorded 39 total tackles and intercepted five passes, helping the Crusaders go 12-1 en route to a berth in the quarterfinals of the state 5A playoffs

Was selected honorable mention all-state while earning first-team all-area and all-Northwest Florida honors

Named first-team all-area after posting 77 stops, three interceptions, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery his junior season as PCHS

Also lettered two years for the Crusader baseball team, helping the school to the championship game of the state 4A tournament his final season.

Full name is Jeremy Antoine Reaves

Born Aug. 29, 1996, in Pensacola, Fla.

Son of Michael Reese and Rose Hinton

Favorite movie is “Friday”

Favorite teams are the St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Clippers

Favorite athlete is Patrick Peterson

Favorite artists are Drake, Meek Mill, Kevin Gates and J. Cole

Favorite food is chicken alfredo

Favorite subject is history

Likes to fish in his free time

Received scholarship offers from Southern Mississippi and UAB as well, and was also recruited by Arkansas State and Memphis

A sports and recreation management major.

2017

fumbles
REC	LOST	FUM
2.0	0.0	0.0

defensive
TFL	QB HUR	TOT	TD	PD	SACKS	SOLO
6.5	0.0	103.0	0.0	7.0	1.0	70.0

interceptions
TD	AVG	YDS	INT
0.0	2.3	7.0	3.0

2016

defensive
TFL	QB HUR	TOT	TD	PD	SACKS	SOLO
5.5	0.0	82.0	0.0	7.0	0.0	57.0

interceptions
TD	AVG	YDS	INT
0.0	13.0	39.0	3.0

2015

interceptions
TD	AVG	YDS	INT
0.0	0.0	0.0	2.0