[LeeCoUKFan]

Reed calls Kentucky trip "amazing"

Justin Rowland
CatsIllustrated.com Football Recruiting Analyst

Three-star defensive tackle Jarran Reed took an official visit to Kentucky over the weekend and the trip went about as well as it possibly could.

Reed, a 6-foot-4, 305-pound prospect from East Mississippi C.C., is a name that Kentucky football fans are probably familiar with. In the last recruiting cycle he was being recruited by the Wildcats but never went through with a trip to Lexington.

He ultimately signed with Florida but didn't have enough credits to make it in to Gainesville.

This is Reed's last semester at East Mississippi and he told Cats Illustrated that everything is on track to enroll at a four-year school for the spring semester.

He finally made it to Kentucky on an official visit where he re-connected with Za'Darius Smith and Jimmy Brumbaugh, two familiar faces from earlier in his time at junior college.

"Oh man, it was amazing," Reed said of his visit. "I had a great time seeing what Kentucky is all about, especially coaching up with 'Z' and coach Brumbaugh.

"'Z' was my host on Saturday night. We're real close. We had been roommates (at EMCC) so it was just like old times. Coach Brumbaugh, I already knew what he was all about and we have that bond. They were talking about how I could come in and make a difference right away."

It certainly helps that Smith has had plenty of success since transferring in to Kentucky himself. That, coupled with Mark Stoops' track record with defensive linemen, are key to the Wildcats' messaging.

Reed had hoped to visit UK before this weekend but better late than never.

"It was way different (than he imagined it would be). Totally different," he said. "It's a great place. It's a big place. I could see myself there."

Up next for Reed is an official visit to Tennessee (Nov. 23). He wants to take other visits too and Alabama, Nebraska, Mississippi State and UCF are among the other schools that have been recruiting him.

Older and a little more seasoned as a recruit, Reed is trying to go about his business quietly this time around. He wants to stay focused on taking care of business.

"This time's a little different," he said. "I'm just taking my time with it. Mostly I'm looking for a situation where I can come in and make an impact right away."

That's something he said he's already found at Kentucky.

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