Greg Reaves
Defensive End / South Florida
Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?
Greg Reaves: 6’2, 245 and my last forty time was a 4.7.
Alex Khvatov: Describe your overall experience at the CGS all-star game in Texas.
Greg Reaves: CGS was a great experience. You compete with a lot of guys. A lot of O-linemen were pretty good. They were tall and lanky guys. It was great competition from West Virginia and Kansas. You also talk to NFL scouts who were interviewing you.
Alex Khvatov: Who was the best guy you faced in practice?
Greg Reaves: Tennessee State OT Lachavious Simmons. He knew how to use his body. He is strong and had a great frame.
Alex Khvatov: What is the biggest thing you will take away from that all-star event?
Greg Reaves: No matter the school, just compete and work hard. The biggest thing that I took away from it, is that it is similar to camp. You ask a lot of questions, learn into two days and apply it onto the field.
Alex Khvatov: Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?
Greg Reaves: Coming out of high school, I didn’t have any offers at the division I level, but I had the University of Albany in New York. My dream was to go play D-I after signing day. Air Force came calling and offered me. I signed there, but I went to their prep school for a year. I wanted to play at the next level, and you have to serve five years after you complete an education there. I looked around. M high school head coach was on the staff at USF.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you choose South Florida?
Greg Reaves: I got in touch and I got a preferred walk-on spot. I worked my behind off. I redshirted the first year and second year, I was on special teams. Then Charlie Strong gave me a look.
Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths?
Greg Reaves: The biggest thing is versatility and willingness to do anything. I will play on any special team. You can plug me in at LB. I love rushing the passer and drop into coverage. I am quick off the edge and I have relentless effort.
Alex Khvatov: Where are you currently training? At which position?
Greg Reaves: I will be training as an edge rusher, OLB during training. I am currently training at the school, but I am talking to my agent. I should go to St. Pete and train at Cooper Fit.
Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?
Greg Reaves: Being more consistent and being a more complete player. I need to be more of a complete OLB. I need to become a force in the run. I also need to get bigger and stronger. My playing weight was 240 pounds at the school and I need to be at around 250.
Alex Khvatov: Tell us about your overall career.
Greg Reaves: It was awesome. I was a walk-on that no one expected to do much. I got the opportunity and I took advantage of it. I worked every day, and the coaches admired my work ethic. Charlie Strong gave me a scholarship. I became a starter at DE. I was known at USF as a guy who led by example and worked hard. I started three straight years. I played with a lot of guys who are in the NFL right now. They taught me a lot. During my junior year, I had to step up and take on a leadership role. I also had to play MLB my junior year. My senior year, I became a better player and a leader. It was an eventful ride. I was selected captain four times. We were randomly selected before each game at USF.
Alex Khvatov: What is the highlight of your career up to this point?
Greg Reaves: I was put on scholarship my sophomore year. Playing at a level I didn’t believe that I could play. USF vs UCF game was memorable. We went wire to wire and lost on a kickoff return.
Alex Khvatov: What is your biggest accomplishment in college that you are most proud of?
Greg Reaves: Getting my degree in business management. I am getting my master’s in entrepreneurial business. I was an academic all-conference.
Alex Khvatov: What was the biggest thing that you took away from your coaching staff?
Greg Reaves: They always told me to stay patient and work hard. We had that blue collar mentality.
Alex Khvatov: What is your favorite NFL team?
Greg Reaves: The Seahawks.
Alex Khvatov: Who is your favorite NFL player?
Greg Reaves: Russell Wilson.
Alex Khvatov: Before the ball is snapped, what are the tendencies that you are looking for from the offense?
Greg Reaves: The backfield sets tell me what play they want to run. You are looking at the back’s depth. If the RB is even with the QB, usually they will pass. If the back is behind the QB, it is a run. I am looking at the O-linemen, whether they are light in their stance or light in their hands.
Alex Khvatov: What players on your team should we keep an eye on for next season?
Greg Reaves: #11 LB Dwayne Boyles LB, DB Mike Hampton, DB KJ Sails and LB Antonio Grier.
Alex Khvatov: Who is the best player that you have faced on an opposing team?
Greg Reaves: Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor. He is patient, fast and physical. It takes more than one guy to take him down.
Alex Khvatov: What do you enjoy most about football?
Greg Reaves: I enjoy the physicality. You impose your will on the opponent. It relieves a lot of stress. I fell in love with the game when I was young. I watch documentaries and NFL network. I found love for defense.
Alex Khvatov: What is your definition of a leader?
Greg Reaves: A leader is someone who leads by example. He brings a lot of guys along. He pushes the other guys. He holds others accountable.
Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?
Greg Reaves: Play video games. I like to go to the movies and bowling.
Alex Khvatov: What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?
Greg Reaves: I have been thinking about a lot of different things. My mom owns a daycare, it is the biggest facility in the county. She is struggling. She is trying to expand. She reached her plateau. She has been in the same place. I am trying to help and expand to the second day care.
Alex Khvatov: What five words best describe you?
Greg Reaves: Humble, ambitious, effort, family-oriented and quiet.
