Eric Reid: Video Highlights for Former LSU FS

The 2013 NFL draft will provide the league's 32 teams with one of the deeper free safety classes in years. Eric Reid continues to progress as an NFL prospect and is intriguing to many teams due to his overall development.

From the first game of his freshman year at LSU, Reid continued to show improvement as he gained valuable playing time against the best competition in college football.

However, after three years playing in the SEC, Reid has his sights set on a future NFL career. Here are a few notable highlights involving the Tigers safety.

Draft update: Reid was selected by the San Francisco 49ers (via csnbayarea.com), who traded up with the Dallas Cowboys and drafted the LSU safety with the No. 18 overall pick in the first round.

Big Tackle on Auburn Receiver

During his career at LSU, Reid warranted praise for his great closing speed as a safety. His punishing tackle in this highlight (0:15 into the video) is proof of that attribute. 

As the wide receiver was in clear position to make the reception, Reid ran full speed and eventually delivered a brutal hit that could not be avoided.

Reid managed to dole out a clobbering hit while the receiver was in the air, deterring opponents from going across the middle again.

Great Reads on Tricky Run Plays

As NFL offenses have implemented more read-option, misdirection and reverse plays to their playbook, defenders are expected to contain such plays and take on more overall responsibility. 

On the first play, Reid was decisive and he was not tricked by the reverse and brought the receiver down to the ground for a loss.

On the next play shown, Reid faced a typical read-option play where the quarterback managed to take it to the sideline. Since the runner did not have much speed, he was no match for Reid, who brought him down in a hurry.

Game-Changing Interception vs. Alabama

In the biggest game of the regular season two years ago between LSU and Alabama, A Reid interception stalled a critical Crimson Tide drive just as Alabama was building some serious momentum.

The play appeared to be difficult to diagnose, but Reid managed to make a play on the underthrown ball despite the receiver initially getting a step on him.

Reid managed to take the proper angle, time his jump and then wrestle the ball out of the Alabama player's hands as they both came down to the ground.

While there are questions about his overaggressiveness, the playmaking ability on this interception shows his potential as a contributor to the Niners' defensive backfield.

Stuffing the Run vs. South Carolina

Reid's aggressive approach on the football field has made him a quality defender against the run, which will complement the skills of current San Francisco strong safety Donte Whitner.

But, while some of the previous highlights feature those run-stuffing abilities, Reid has to work a bit harder to wrap up Marcus Lattimore in this video.

On a read-option play, the South Carolina Gamecocks appeared to have an advantage with Lattimore running the ball and having open space as the lineman tried to cut off Reid in the middle of the field.

However, Reid had a different idea in mind, breaking off the lineman's block and hitting Lattimore straight on. The result was a minimal gain.

Interception and Return vs. South Carolina

When first looking at this turnover, it may not seem like the most impressive thing in the world, as the ball was thrown right to Reid. However, he should get credit for reading the quarterback's eyes and anticipating where he was going to throw the pass.

Once he got his hands on the football, he made the most out of it with a nice return, making quick cuts in the middle of the field to avoid oncoming tacklers and put his team in scoring position.

Talented safeties like Reid force turnovers and use their elite skills to take advantage of seemingly simple plays.

Diving Interception vs. North Texas

I mentioned how good safeties have an awareness of the football and always find a way to pounce on turnovers when the time comes.

This interception was no different. Although the ball was tipped off the hand of a receiver, Reid had enough time to make a full-extension catch and kill any momentum that North Texas had on that drive.

Here is a reason why teams are intrigued by his knack for being around the football on almost every play.