Jan 1, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal safety Ed Reynolds (29) tackles Michigan State Spartans running back Jeremy Langford (33) during the second half at the Rose Bowl. Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Stanford coach David Shaw will have a slew of holes to plug on defense with free safety Ed Reynolds deciding to make the jump to the 2014 NFL Draft.
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Reynolds is the No. 2 junior free safety prospect, according to NFLDraftScout.com ratings, and is a physical and instinctive defender who will likely jockey with fellow juniors Calvin Pryor of Louisville and Alabama’s Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to be the first free safety of the board in May. Pryor and Clinton-Dix are projected as late-first or early-second round picks.
According to NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst Rob Rang, “Reynolds possesses the lanky build scouts are looking for at the position. He also demonstrates good agility and acceleration to handle covering athletic tight ends out of the slot as well as supply deep help over the top. Savvy defender and reliable open-field tackler. Reynolds breaks down well in space and delivers a pop on contact, often driving ballcarriers back.”
Reynolds finished third on the Cardinal with 87 tackles last season. He led Stanford with six interceptions as a junior and Rang said Reynolds was named First Team All-Pac-12 for the second consecutive year despite one interception in 2013 because “opponents knew to stay away.”
A redshirt junior, he had another year of eligibility after missing the 2011 season due to a knee injury.
“After much thought and discussion with my family and mentors, I have decided to enter the NFL Draft,” Reynolds said in a statement. “I would like to thank the Stanford football family for putting me in this position and preparing me for the next level. A very special thanks to our coaching staff, support staff and my teammates for making the memories of these past four years last a lifetime.”
Reynolds will be the fifth starter Shaw loses from the defense, along with senior linebackers Trent Murphy and Shayne Skov and defensive ends Ben Gardner and Josh Mauro. It could have been even more, but linebacker A.J. Tarpley and defensive end Henry Anderson announced they would return to the Cardinal in 2014.
