North Carolina State University Athletics
They Call Me Big LA
9/23/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 23, 2004
By Bruce Winkworth - After watching him play the last two years, it's hard to believe that NC State cornerback Lamont Reid played just one game of defense before arriving in Raleigh three years ago.
A hot-shot running back in high school -- 1,746 yards and 18 touchdowns rushing as a senior at Central Cabarrus High School in Concord, N.C. -- Reid came to NC State in 2001 as a guy who was supposed to score touchdowns, not prevent them.
When Reid got to campus for preseason workouts that first year, however, the coaches decided that his combination of smarts and athleticism, would be more useful on defense than offense. Truth be told, Reid took to the challenge of moving to the other side of the line of scrimmage.
"[The decision to move to the secondary] was somewhat mine and somewhat the coaches," Reid says. "When I got here, I guess they saw that I had the potential to play cornerback. It's worked out for the best so far."
Still a backup on defense, Reid began to make a name for himself on special teams as a true freshman in 2001 by leading NC State with 11 kickoff returns for 223 yards. It was a solid first year, but his freshman season barely hinted at the impact Reid would make a year later during the Wolfpack's magical 2002 campaign.
Reid moved into the starting lineup at cornerback in '02, and did so with a bang. On defense, he broke up nine passes to lead the team, had two tackles for losses, and finished with 40 tackles for the season. On special teams, he returned 14 kickoffs for 424 yards, and finished seventh on the team in scoring and all-purpose yardage. He scored two touchdowns on kickoff returns, one on a punt return, and one on a fumble return. He also had non-scoring kickoff returns of 56 yards against Clemson and 49 yards against Florida State. For the icing on the cake, he blocked a PAT attempt against Navy.
That's quite a highlight reel for a first-year starter at a new position, but Reid insists that things were not as easy as he often made them appear to be that year.
"You always want to make big plays and take care of your responsibility and help the team, but it was tough at times," Reid says. "Sometimes you just have to do whatever you can to make the plays whenever you have the opportunity."
Reid capped off the '02 season by recording three tackles and breaking up a pass in NC State's 28-6 rout of Notre Dame in the Gator Bowl, a game that is still ranks as his personal highlight from his time at NC State.
"Beating Notre Dame was something special," Reid says. "Growing up, you always know about Irish football and Notre Dame, so that was probably my biggest moment."
The 2003 season was not the same joy ride for Reid, who missed most of two games with a subluxed shoulder, and fought off various nicks and dings all season long. His stats presentable -- 37 tackles, his first career interception, eight pass breakups, seven kickoff returns for 132 yards -- but he was not satisfied with his performance. He vows to return to form in 2004.
"My personal goal is just to bounce back from last year's season," Reid says. "It was sort of rough with the nagging injuries all through the season last year. My goal this year is just to help our secondary be the best. We have the talent and the leadership there, so just being able to help the team is my goal."
If his play on the field has marked Reid as a winner, then his work off the field has marked him as a champion. In an age when so many complain of athletes who don't "get it," who don't understand the obligation that goes with the opportunity to play college or professional sports, Lamont Reid very clearly gets it. He has devoted many hours to Habitat for Humanity, the Wolfpack Blitz, Springfest 2004 at the Methodist Home for Children, and Celebranza with Loaves and Fishes. He has made countless visits to area schools to speak about the importance of getting an education.
Reid knows that people look up to him because he is an athlete, that they expect him to set a positive example for others. He takes that responsibility seriously, so seriously that the Atlantic Coast Conference recently honored him with its annual Top Six For Service Award.
"When I was younger, I used to see a lot of people doing that, and I thought that was something that I would want to do," Reid says. "Then, when I had the opportunity, I took advantage of it. There were certain people who always came back to the neighborhood to give back to us, so I felt like it was something that I needed to do. I haven't had the chance to go back home to Concord and do that, but while I've been up here in Raleigh, I've done that."
Area grade-school students who hear Reid speak at their school can rest assured that he practices what he preaches. A member of the Academic All-ACC team, he is on track to graduate this coming spring with a degree in parks, recreation and tourism. He is an avid reader and enjoys learning.
"Being able to get my degree, that's the main reason why I came to school," Reid says. "Playing football was a plus. They always say football doesn't last forever, so being able to get my degree means everything. Before my godfather (Wayne Scott) passed away, I promised him that I would graduate from college."
Even without that promise to his godfather, Reid has plenty of incentive to finish his degree. His 7-year-old brother Andre and 5-year-old son Enqiren (Q for short) both follow his every move. Walking across the stage and receiving his diploma from NC State next May will be the best example he could set.
"Anytime you have people looking up to you, it's important that you do the right thing," Reid says. "I have a little brother and I have a son, so somebody's always going to be looking up to me. I just try to do the right thing."
