Mook Reynolds
Defensive Back
Texas A&M Commerce/ex-Virginia Tech
Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?
Mook Reynolds: I haven’t run the forty yet. I am 6’0, 183.
Alex Khvatov: Where are you currently training for the NFL Draft?
Mook Reynolds: I am in South Florida training with Mike Barwis. His facility is in Denton Beach. He trains the pros. He trains Jarvis Landry and the UFC fighters. He actually trains Usain Bolt’s track team. He coached with my agent. As a favor to my agent, he told him that he would get the best out of me and get me ready for the pro day.
Alex Khvatov: Tell me about at the Tropical Bowl.
Mook Reynolds: It was the experience that I need. It was good level of competition. I was a little rusty the first day, but I adapted. I am a competitor. I knew the situation that I was in. I had to show my skillset and competitive spirit. I had to do it in front of scouts.
Alex Khvatov: What is the biggest thing that you will take away from that all-star game?
Mook Reynolds: The opportunity itself was special for me. They gave me an opportunity. I was able to compete during the practices and win the game.
Alex Khvatov: Who was the best player that you faced at the Tropical Bowl.
Mook Reynolds: The best receiver was from TCU (Jaelan Austin). He was strong and athletic. He had a pretty good catch radius. We made each other better. We were communicating with each other after the reps. We showed that mutual respect. We were giving each other tips on what we were doing.
Alex Khvatov: Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?
Mook Reynolds: Georgia, Notre Dame, Michigan, Ole Miss and Virginia Tech.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you choose Virginia Tech?
Mook Reynolds: I chose Virginia Tech because it was a great football school. They were known for their great defenses. Bud Foster was the best D-coordinator, Torrian Gray was a great DB coach. I knew that they could get me ready for the next level. I was an athletic player, but I knew that the coaches would help me elevate the mental side of my game. They emphasized the mental part of the game. Coach Beamer was a great coach. He reminded me of my high school coach.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you transfer to Texas A&M Commerce?
Mook Reynolds: I spoke to a coach. They just won the national championship the year before. I love to win. I felt like I could contribute and try to help them repeat. I played in five or six games. Then my house burned down. It was an apartment complex. The four units were connected. The neighbor was cooking fried chicken. The four units caught on fire. Actually, my brother was in the apartment at the time. I rushed over, and we lost everything. It was in October. It was a big blow. I talked to the coaches at Texas A&M Commerce about my situation. I felt like with everything that happened, it was time for me to move on. I came down to Florida and have been training here since Dec. 12th.
Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths?
Mook Reynolds: I have a certain edge to my game. I am not a verbal leader. I lead by my actions. I am a winner and a competitor. I always elevate the competition level of my teammates. I love to win. I am versatile. I always play with a chip on my shoulder.
Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?
Mook Reynolds: Improve my speed and strength. I would be much more dangerous. I have the brains, the instincts and the intangibles.
Alex Khvatov: Describe your overall career.
Mook Reynolds: I played all five positions my freshman year. I graduated high school early and came in the spring. I won the top newcomer award at CB. But they had Kendall Fuller and Brandon Facyson at corner. In order for me to get on the field, they moved me to nickel during the third game of the season. I had a great game. You had to be versatile if you wanted to play at Virginia Tech especially in the secondary. I played safety in the bowl game. I led the team in tackles at the bowl game. Sophomore year, nickel defense was our base package. I continued to play nickel corner, blitzed and covered the TE’s. During my junior year, I played wherever the defense needed me based on the opponent. I even played like a true LB against Duke. I lined up in a LB’s stance, shed the block from the TE and got into the backfield. I am versatile and can play wherever the team needs me.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you get dismissed from Virginia Tech? Tell us your side of the story.
Mook Reynolds: My friend and I were getting a ride to my house from one of our acquaintances. He was driving the car and he was pulled over for speeding. I was in the back seat. When we got pulled over, I asked him if everything was cool. It turned out that the dude had a stolen car, and they found marijuana in the vehicle. My friend who was in the front seat was let go, and the driver and I got charged. The driver admitted that I had nothing to do with it. Based off the police report, they found me innocent. I got the short end of the stick. I had the hearing at the school, and they allowed me to come back. I could come back, finish my credits and get my degree. But I was kicked off the team. I found out about it on social media. Coach didn’t talk to me. I was three credits from graduating. I have never been in trouble at Virginia Tech. I had no blemishes at the school before. The driver wasn’t a friend of mine, but I knew him from my teammate. He offered us a ride, and I just wanted to get home.
Alex Khvatov: What is the highlight of your career up to this point?
Mook Reynolds: Playing my position with so much intensity. I couldn’t get blocked on the perimeter. I was always able to get into the backfield. The other teams’ coaches knew about me. Kirk Herbstreit was a big fan of mine. No one expected me to play that way at my size. I played the position with so much excitement.
Alex Khvatov: What is your biggest accomplishment in college that you are most proud of?
Mook Reynolds: Making it to the ACC Championship game against Clemson. They only beat us by seven points. Then they beat Ohio State and Alabama in the CFB playoff. WR Hunter Renfrow did big things against Alabama in the championship game. He was a big reason why they won. I was determined that he won’t do it against me. He had one catch against me. I was able to eliminate a good player from the game.
Alex Khvatov: What have you learned the most from your former DC Bud Foster and the rest of the coaching staff?
Mook Reynolds: Coaching can elevate players. You can be fast and strong, but there are brains to football. His schemes were so smart. I always picked their brains. It is the little things. The knowledge of the game. Coach Foster was a fun guy to be around. He is one of the smartest coaches I have ever had.
Alex Khvatov: Who is your favorite NFL player?
Mook Reynolds: I always looked at Honey Badger when he first got to the league. I try to emulate his game. I am also the defensive version of DeSean Jackson. We play quick, fast and get past guys. We are both playmakers.
Alex Khvatov: What is the most important trait for a DB?
Mook Reynolds: Knowledge of the routes that you will get and technique. You have to have sound technique.
Alex Khvatov: Before the ball is snapped, what are the tendencies that you are looking for from the offense?
Mook Reynolds: Formation first and foremost. I read run and pass responsibilities. I read the guard. I look at the position of the back and the personnel. I am almost studying film. At Virginia Tech, I watched a lot of film. We watched film and applied it to the game. We knew what the opposing team will do before they did it. Our coaching staff was great at picking up the tendencies and putting us in the best position to make plays.
Alex Khvatov: What players on your team should we keep an eye on for next season?
Mook Reynolds: FS Dominique Ramsey is a little guy at 5’8, but he is a good return man. He has the passion and plays with a lot of intensity.
Alex Khvatov: Who is the toughest player that you have faced on an opposing team?
Mook Reynolds: Deshaun Watson was a winner. He was smart. He would beat you with his legs and his arm. He controlled the tempo of the game and ultimately won the National Championship.
Alex Khvatov: What do you enjoy most about football?
Mook Reynolds: I love taking the field every time. I love putting my gear on and getting dressed for the game. I like to make an impact. There is no better feeling than winning. I like making a big play or a big time stop. I have been playing this game since I have been six years old. I haven’t even scratched the surface yet. I have played so many different positions. I haven’t mastered one position yet.
Alex Khvatov: What is your definition of a leader?
Mook Reynolds: You look up to this person. A leader has to do things at a certain level where it would rub off on people. You lead by your actions and elevate other people. A leader makes people around him better.
Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?
Mook Reynolds: I have two dogs. I love my family and I am very close to them. I play video games from time to time. I like to eat.
Alex Khvatov: What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?
Mook Reynolds: I want to open up a business where I would be able to give back to my community. I want to help kids. My agent has connections, and I would like him to teach me where I can start things up myself. I want to have six or seven different outlets of how to make money. I am an intellectual guy. I want to hold myself to a higher standard. Sports is a pedestal at the end of the day.
Alex Khvatov: What five words best describe you?
Mook Reynolds: Humble, competitive, passionate, intelligent and a leader.
