Cass Tech 2017 DB Willie Reid ready to contribute this season

At Detroit Cass Tech, their second string players are arguably good enough to start at other schools. Their defensive secondary will be stacked once again with Division I players, some you have heard of, and a few you haven't heard of. One of those unheard of players is junior safety, Willie Reid.

His 6-1, 190-pound frame is impressive, and after not playing much last season as a sophomore, Reid has his head on straight, and is preparing for a productive junior year as a back-up at Cass Tech.

"I got into a little trouble with my mom last year, so I had to stop playing," Reid said. "And that kind of hurt me a little bit. But now I'm just focusing up more, doing everything the right way, and I'm just happy to have the opportunity to play again.

"Demetric Vance (Michigan State) and Jaylen Kelly-Powell have the two safety spots locked up, so it'll be a rotation thing between us three, and I'm just going to take advantage of my opportunities."

Being forced to stop playing last season, and being a back-up has humbled Reid, who said he wasn't used to being in this position. Yet at the same time, is willing to embrace the situation, and make up for time lost. With his frame and skill set, he can be a contributor for Cass Tech this season as well, and that's exactly what he plans on doing.

"Growing up, I was so used to being a star," Reid said of his little league days. "Now that I'm seeing the real world, it's a lot of great athletes out here, and I know I just have to work harder. Those two (Vance and Kelly-Powell) are good, and I'm good too. So my time will come, and I'm going to show everyone what I can do.

"With my game, I like to get physical with the receivers, get hands on them, and I like to hit. I'm going to always hold my own in the field, and this season I'll be looking to do what I know I can do."

From a first glimpse at Reid, his body reminds you of former Cass Tech safety, Delano Hill, who is currently battling for a starting spot at Michigan. A physical specimen, who can hit, something you want your safety to be able to do. His coaches rave about his potential. And who knows? Reid might just pan out to be the next Delano Hill.

"Yes, I already know that it's coming," said Reid. "Cass Tech has had a lot of good safeties, and I want to be that next one. Expect for me to make plays this year, and every time that I'm on the field, you'll know, because I'm going to get my job done."

Obviously, with minimal playing time, comes a little chance of being recruited, which is what Reid is going through right now. That's why his junior season is so vital to him. Luckily for Reid, attending Cass Tech has its perks, especially in the recruiting process. The Technicians have 17 Division I prospects on their current roster, which means a bunch of kids are getting looks from colleges. Reid is no different.

"Last year I stopped playing, so I didn't have much film," Reid said. "But I've talked to a lot of coaches. Every time that I go to a camp, when the drills and stuff are over with, all the coaches come up to me. They are just waiting on my highlight tape to drop, and that happens, all the doors should be opening up.

"I've heard from Toledo, Cincinnati, all the schools we went on our road tour to see, coaches from the Sound Mind Sound Body camp, so things should be rolling in after this season."

Reid just recently returned from visiting family in Texas, and hopes to hear from schools in that area as well.

"I would really like to attend school down in Texas," he said. "I'm not too picky, and I will take whatever comes in, but I like the South, so I'm looking to go down there.

"I just want to prove to colleges that I'm a great athlete, and that I'm a good all-around kid. I just want to show them that I would be a great pick as a football player."