Malik Reed

Classroom

Malik Reed has always strived to be the best he can be in the classroom, and he takes his academics very seriously. He can often be found in the academic center later than most student-athletes working on his studies and assignments. Reed has already earned his bachelor’s degree in public health and obtained a grade-point average above 3.0 during undergrad. Additionally, he has consistently balanced being a student-athlete in a sport as demanding as football yet still managed to make the Mountain West All-Academic Team three times in his career.

Character

“Malik may end up being the best young man I have ever worked with. I have seen him develop into an outstanding young man. During the fall semester of 2014, it was common for me to be in the office fairly late working as I grew into my new position at Nevada. Malik was here in the academic center later than any of us working on his academics. His goal was to be the best in all areas of his life. Over the next four years, he continues to work just as hard in every aspect of his student-athlete life. So many people talk the talk because it is easy while Malik walks the walk and lets his actions speak for themselves. I have so much respect for Malik in what he has accomplished here at Nevada. I know he will do great things in his life because that is the kind of person he is. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with Malik.” - Andrew Caudill, Assistant AD, Academics

Community

Reed has been an active member in his community over the past couple of years. Over the years, he has worked with the football program to reach out to youth in the Northern Nevada area. The team has been involved with football clinics for children in the area, has worked with the Boys & Girls Club and worked with children at local elementary schools.

Competition

Reed has been one of the top defenders with the Wolf Pack. He began his playing career as a defensive end only switching to linebacker this season, but he has not missed a beat. He was voted a team captain for the 2018 season by his teammates and can usually be found as the last guy off the field after practices always putting in the extra work. Reed is a two-time All-Mountain West selection, earning second team honors his sophomore year and first team honors in 2017.

Prior to the start of this season, Malik was placed on multiple preseason watch lists including those for the Bednarik Award and Bronko Nagurski Award, and he was named preseason All-Mountain West. As of nomination time, he had totaled 16 career sacks (which is just outside the top 10 all-time at Nevada), had recorded 26 TFL, forced eight fumbles and recovered one, which he took 48 yards into the end zone for his first-ever career defensive touchdown.