NSD 2016 Motivation to Succeed for Class of 2017 Louisiana LB Recruit Shahid Reece

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

On a team loaded with Class of 2016 talent one could make a case for underclassmen being overlooked or being a victim or “wait until your turn next year.” It happens all the time, fair or not. For Archbishop Rummel, one could easily understand the tough balance a coach has between giving seniors their last chance to shine and playing up and coming tough as nails juniors.

For Rummel, the Metairie, Louisiana, school had great senior leadership in 2015 with 5-star cornerback Kristian Fulton (LSU), 4-star defensive tackle Briston Guidry (Arkansas), quarterback Chase Fourcade (Nicholls State), running back Israel Tucker (Louisiana Tech), and offensive lineman Joe Oliver (Nicholls State). Several underclassmen have already come forward for the Raiders including defensive back Jakobi Jones (uncommitted), linebacker/safety Derrick Munson (Arkansas), and Shahid Reece (uncommitted) with Reece ready to steal some of the spotlight.

Munson turned in a fantastic junior campaign coming up with 158 tackles, 21 tackles for a loss, six sacks, and two picks. Reece did much the same coming up with big play after big play forcing fumbles, pulling in interceptions, and delivering devastating hits on the opposing ball carrier. When the season had finished, the 6’0”, 210 pound, talent had 90 tackles, three sacks, and two picks. The one year stat line is no fluke. Just four games into his sophomore year he worked his way into the starting lineup and has been a mainstay ever since. In 2014, Reece had 70 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, and five sacks in eight starts.

Rummel has a rich history of winning titles and championships. Since the 2000 season, the Raiders have won 11 conference titles and two state championships (2012 and 2013) coming up just shy of another going 11-2 last season. The play on the field is among the best in the nation and there is no reason to believe that level of excellence will drop off in 2016.

With one offer under his belt from Tulane, Reece is on a mission to win another Louisiana state championship for the Raiders but has extra fuel in his engine entering the 2016 season after watching his peers ink their letters of intent on National Signing Day. In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Reece to get his thoughts on NSD 2016, how the day’s events is motivation for him going forward, and received a recruiting news update.

Interview

Shahid, there was a lot of activity across the nation with top guys going everywhere. You had a closer look than some with Kristian Fulton committing on NSD to LSU over Arkansas and Florida. Looking at the day as a whole, which team or teams impressed you with the classes they signed?

“LSU. LSU impressed me the best out of everybody. They got Kristian Fulton. Fulton surprised everyone going to LSU. Now the Tigers are stacked at every position with the class they just signed.”

Did any other teams impress you?

“Yeah, Arkansas impressed me and Vanderbilt too. Both teams got some New Orleans guys.”

Is Arkansas recruiting you?

“Yes they are. I’m going to their camp over the summer.”

Does Munson committing to Arkansas have any effect on you when it comes to the Razorbacks?

“Munson committing to Arkansas does not affect my decision with him going there. I’m going to pick the school that best suits me.”

Did any other in-state recruits surprise you with their commitments on NSD?

“No, that was it. I knew where everyone was going.”

Which schools are showing you the most interest right now?

“Notre Dame sends me a lot of stuff. Purdue and Tulane are showing a lot of interest too. Tulane has a new staff, I’m interested to get to know them better. I’d say Houston is coming at me the hardest right now.”

Are you attending any Junior Days coming up?

“I plan on going to Louisiana-Layfette’s Junior Days. UCLA’s linebacker coach, Coach Scott White, is coming down here to meet with me. I’m excited to talk to them in person. I’d like to visit UCLA as well. I have a cousin that played for UCLA, Aaron Wallace (2012-2015). He liked it out there.”

Have you lined up any camps yet?

“I’d like to go to Texas A&M, LSU, and Alabama so I can go compete against other top recruits. I feel like I can play with the best of them in the nation. We play in the toughest district in the state of Louisiana and we played the toughest schedule in the state with only two losses. One of those losses was in the state championship (31-28 Catholic-B.R.) and to Don Bosco Prep (10-3) in New Jersey at their place.”

*The Ironmen won a New Jersey state championship in 2015 going 9-3 beating St. Joseph Regional 21-10 in the championship game.

How are your offseason workouts going so far?

“I’m doing a lot of squats and heavy lifting. I’m training with a big local facility too. I’m also playing basketball.”

How is the season going for you with basketball?

“It’s going well. We have a couple more games left and we’ll be in the playoffs. Oddly enough, I’m All-District in basketball but not in football. That’s kind of crazy to me because football is my sport.”

What is your stat line on the court?

“I average about 13 points a game and about eight rebounds. I’m a good shooter and I play real aggressive.”

I bet. Are you planning on going to any exposure camps?

“Right now just the Nike camp.”

Are you looking forward to that camp?

“Oh yeah. If I can compete well there, then I can take it to the big stage in Oregon.”

How is everything in the classroom?

“I’m right at a 3.0 GPA. I’ve started taking classes to prepare for the ACT too.”

When do you take the ACT?

“In March.”

Shahid, you have a lot going on. Good luck with everything. Keep us in the loop on how everything is going on the hardwood.

“Okay. Thank you.”

Photo credit: Parker Waters; No. 28 Shahid Reece

Photo credit: Rummel High School; No. 28 Shahid Reece