Feature: Reid lauded as focused, mature leader

John Reid was known as a lock-down cornerback at Philadelphia's St. Joseph's Prep and a dangerous receiver, but his coach said that is all secondary to the person Reid has become.

Intelligent, polite and extremely focused, the Penn State recruit projects a quiet assurance and a willingness to do whatever it takes to succeed.

"He is one of the better all-around athletes and people I have ever been around," St. Joe Prep coach Gabe Infante said. "Who he is as a person, who he is as an athlete and student - he is first class.

"Penn State is getting itself a future captain, a future leader," Infante added. "He is definitely a leader and not a follower and will affect the tone for everybody there."

The 5-foot-10, 181-pound Reid will enter Penn State with a no-nonsense mindset. He is like everybody else in that he would like to contribute as soon as possible, but he understands how much work will go into earning playing time.

"Pretty much everybody comes in with the mindset of wanting to play," Reid said. "When the opportunity arises, I am willing to take it and come in and work as hard as I can to do my job."

Reid loves the challenge of being alone on the island at cornerback and says the key to playing the position is to have the right focus.

"Staying focused has helped me become a better cornerback than if I wasn't focused," he said. "I know I have to be focused in schoolwork and athletics."

Reid was part of the first two state cham- pionship teams in school history, as St. Joseph's Prep won PIAA Class AAAA titles in his junior and senior seasons.

His senior year, for which he won consensus first-team All-Southeastern Pennsylvania recognition, was cut short by injury. Reid missed the last three games with a hyperextended knee, and while it was tough to be a spectator for the state title game, he was able to see the positive side of his situation.

"It was a blessing it wasn't worse," Reid said, noting that he was nearly back at full health as of this spring. "I knew even when I got hurt that we had the guys behind me and around me to still win a state championship."

A four-star Rivals prospect, Reid committed to Penn State in August. He said that Notre Dame, Michigan State and Miami were among the other schools he was considering. There were countless other offers, including one from Alabama, but Reid felt most comfortable at Penn State, saying it offered "the total package."

Reid, who lives in Mount Laurel, N.J., was a four-year starter at St. Joe Prep, a longtime Philadelphia power and one of the best programs in the state.

"It was a blessing to come in and play right away, and I was surrounded by great coaches who taught me so much about football and about things in everyday life," Reid said.

Reid has received his all-star mention at cornerback. While that no doubt is his position of the future, he also enjoyed an outstanding senior season as a receiver, with 36 receptions for 699 yards and 12 touchdowns. Infante says that Reid's defensive statistics, which included two interceptions, would look more impressive if not for one factor that was beyond his control: "Nobody wanted to throw at him."

Not surprisingly, Reid said his biggest thrill at St. Joe Prep was winning the consecutive championships.

"It was great, and bringing the first one to St. Joe Prep is something special, to be part of that history,"he said."The biggest thing is that the guys and coaches I was around were mentors to me."

And Reid was clearly a mentor to the younger players in the program, setting a serious tone with his approach each and every day.

"Not only does he have great athletic ability, but John brings a professionalism that makes him different," Infante said. "Having both the physical and mental aspect is what separates him."

During the spring, Reid has been running track for St. Joe Prep, where he specializes in the sprints. Although he's known as a player who is able to keep his emotions in check, even Reid can't contain his enthusiasm when talking about beginning his Penn State career.

"I am handling my business day by day getting ready," he said. "I am excited to be going to Penn State and can't wait to get started."