Paul Reeves

Cornerback / Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Alex Khvatov:  What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?

Paul Reeves:  I am 5’10, 195 and I ran a 4.5 recently.   

Alex Khvatov:  How did you prepare for the 2020 season with no offseason training?

Paul Reeves:  My former coach was training me for the first couple of months.  Now I have been doing speed training myself. 

Alex Khvatov:  Besides football, what other sports did you play in high school?

Paul Reeves:  I ran track for a year.  I did long jump and 100m.  I was also a powerlifter for a year.  Power lifting is very popular in Mississippi.     

Alex Khvatov:  What positions did you play in high school? 

Paul Reeves:  I played receiver, corner, safety and punt returner.   

Alex Khvatov:  Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?

Paul Reeves:  I had an offer from every JUCO in Mississippi.  I also had Mississippi College.  Ole Miss showed some interest, but I couldn’t score a 19 on the ACT. 

Alex Khvatov:  How did you wind up at Arkansas-Pine Bluff? 

Paul Reeves:  My father wanted me to play for UAPB because he played there.  He watched me play my first year before he passed away.  I am glad that I went here.  It has been a great experience. 

Alex Khvatov:  How would you describe your overall career?        

Paul Reeves:  First year, I didn’t see much playing time.  I had a couple of plays.  My sophomore year was my first season as the starter.  I experienced some ups and downs a little bit.  I got better as the season progressed.  Junior season was my best year.  We put it altogether in 2019.  As a team, it was our best season in 4-5 years.  We were 5-2 in the beginning, but fell out of our ways.  We lost three straight games.  Our overall record was 6-5 in the SWAC.  I played corner my first year and I have been playing slot the last two years.      

Alex Khvatov:  What is your reaction to the SWAC conference canceling its fall football season? 

Paul Reeves:  When I heard that they postponed it, I had positive thoughts.  Our freshmen had to learn the whole system in two or three weeks.  It is impossible.  We have more time to get freshmen and newcomers to learn our schemes.  I heard that our camp will start in January.  We will have eight weeks of camp to prepare for the spring season.   

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

Paul Reeves:  I get praised for my high IQ.  I am an instinctive player and a leader.  I make everyone around me better.  I am also a great open field tackler.   

Alex Khvatov:  What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?

Paul Reeves:  I want to improve my game as a whole.  Man coverage. 

Alex Khvatov:  What is the highlight of your career up to this point?

Paul Reeves:  Last season, my biggest highlight was against Langston.  I got my first INT.  It was my best game. 

Alex Khvatov:  What is the biggest lesson that you have taken away from your coaching staff? 

Paul Reeves:  The biggest thing they taught me was to keep your composure.  Don’t lose yourself.  Defensive coaches taught me to pay attention to down and distance. 

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

Paul Reeves:  Tyrann Mathieu.   

Alex Khvatov:  What players on your team should we keep an eye on for this upcoming season?

Paul Reeves:  CB Shawn Steele, safety Jalon Thigpen, WR Josh Wilkes, WR Tyrin Ralph, WR Harry Ballard, and RB KeShawn Williams.  WR DeJuan Miller, QB Shannon Patrick, and OL Mark Evans.    

Alex Khvatov:  Who is the best player that you have faced on an opposing team?

Paul Reeves:  Cade Johnson from South Dakota State during my sophomore year.  He was a next level opponent.  He is a great WR.   

Alex Khvatov:  What is the most important trait for a DB?

Paul Reeves:  For a corner, it is technique.  For a DB, it is about discipline as a whole.   

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

Paul Reeves:  I love the game.  I have been playing it since I have been five years old.  I feel free when I play football. 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

Paul Reeves:  Away from football, I like to play around with my dogs, play video games and pray.   

Alex Khvatov:  What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?

Paul Reeves:  I want to coach.  I want to help the younger kids make their dreams come true.  I graduated in May in physical education.  I am working on my master’s now.   

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you?

Paul Reeves:  Passionate, persistent, ambitious, resilient, and compassionate.