ORONO, Maine — University of Maine junior Jaleel Reed was a quarterback at West Catholic High School in Pennsylvania but was switched to wide receiver in the latter stages of his season at St. Thomas More Prep School in Connecticut.
“The coaches wanted to put me in a better position to get recruited,” Reed said Tuesday. “I played the last four games at wide receiver. I wasn’t a quarterback in terms of playing it in college. I was more of an athlete [playing quarterback].
“All my life, I knew I’d be a wide receiver in college. I knew it would come eventually. l just didn’t know when it would come,” said Reed. “I have dreams of playing in the NFL.”
Reed certainly opened some eyes last Thursday night in UMaine’s 24-21 loss to Football Bowl Subdivision team the University of Connecticut.
Reed, who had a career-high 14 catches for 104 yards last season, made eight receptions for 169 yards and a touchdown.
Reed knew he had to take a prominent role.
UMaine was without All-Colonial Athletic Association wide receiver Micah Wright, who was serving the first of his two-game suspension for being charged with disorderly conduct at a party last May. Wright caught a team-leading 61 passes last season.
“I felt very comfortable with the experience I had gained. I knew I had to step up with Micah being out and it being a 1A game. When the lights were on, I didn’t shy away from the pressure,” Reed said.
“I knew I had a real good training camp. I worked hard all camp. My goal was to become a starter. The opportunity came. I got my feet wet with my first catch, and I was ready to go after that,” he said.
The Football Bowl Subdivision used to be called Division 1A while the Football Championship Subdivision, which includes the CAA teams, was called Division 1AA.
Reed is more confident this season because he has a better understanding of the game thanks to his dedication to watching film.
“I was very prepared. I know how to run my routes better,” said Reed. “I knew what we were going to get [from UConn]. Their defense is similar to ours.
“I felt I was going to have a good game,” he added.
One of his receptions was a 48-yard touchdown toss from quarterback Dan Collins to tie the game 14-14 late in the third quarter.
“It was a perfect pass. We had scored on that play during one of the scrimmages. It’s one of my favorite plays. We needed a big play, and I did what I could for my team,” said Reed.
“He knew he was going to have a huge role,” said Collins. “He went into the game prepared and had a great game.
“He brings a lot to the table as far as being an athlete. Being a quarterback and now being a wide receiver gives him a little edge, too, as far as thinking through what a quarterback thinks. He’s able to see that also,” Collins added.
“If you looked at our two scrimmages, you probably thought Jaleel was in line to have another good game,” said UMaine first-year head coach Joe Harasymiak. “He really has just picked up where he left off. Again, it’s just sometimes when guys get some change, they really take off. He has been one of those guys since we installed the new offense. He has found his role, he has embraced it and has done a great job making plays. He was covered a lot but still made the plays.”
Reed won’t become complacent after his impressive performance.
“Eight catches was nice, but we didn’t come away with a win. So I have to do something more to get the win,” said the 6-foot-1, 200-pounder.
UMaine has another FBS opponent this Saturday night when the Black Bears visit Toledo.
The Rockets were 10-2 a year ago including a 32-17 win over No. 24 Temple in the Boca Raton Bowl and opened their season with a 31-10 win over Arkansas State.