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T H E 2 0 1 5 S E A S O N "He brings some experience. He brings us some speed, athleticism and compet- itiveness," Smith added. "He's one of our smarter players on defense, as well." Haley sees his quick rise as "a blessing." His career, he said, is "definitely going by fast. I've been here less than a year and a half, really, and I'm already playing a big role for this team." That was evident when he made his comeback against Rutgers earlier this year. With about a minute left in the first half and the Scarlet Knights trying to claw back into a game in which they had spotted Penn State a three-touchdown lead, Haley stepped in front of a Chris Laviano pass to put down the threat. It was an "awe- some" moment, Haley said. "Being able to contribute right away – it was something you dream about, something you work for all through the off-season. It was finally paying off." The "Stripe Out" crowd went nuts as the team headed to the locker room, and fans were still cheering when the game ended. It was the kind of moment that Haley had no doubt envisioned when he toured the empty, snow-covered stadium on that cold winter night more than a year earlier, and he had helped make it happen, adding just a little bit of illumination to the glow that enveloped the stadium at the end of another Penn State football Saturday. ■ W hen Grant Haley went down with a preseason injury, it could have been a major hindrance to the Penn State de- fense. But in true freshman John Reid, the Nittany Lions had a player who was very reminiscent of their projected starter. Reid, a 5-foot-10, 186-pounder from Mount Laurel, N.J., was by all accounts as prepared as any freshman could be for Penn State's opener against Temple. One of the reasons for that was because Ha- ley helped prepare him. "We talked a good amount. We watched film togeth- er," Haley said. "He asked me what a game day was like. He's a pretty confi- dent kid himself. He's physical, has all the tools. His mindset is to be ready, so he was ready when he came in." Reid went on to start Penn State's first two games, and even though Haley re- turned to the starting lineup in week three against Rutgers, he has remained a key contributor on defense. Through the Li- ons' first six games, Reid had two of their four interceptions to go with 11 tackles. After watching him in preseason prac- tice, Coach James Franklin was confi- dent that Reid would bring the requisite focus and intensity to his job as a starter. "Every play for that kid is like the Super Bowl," he said. "He is so competitive. He doesn't want a pass completed ever on him in practice. When he breaks it up or intercepts it, he goes crazy like he just won the Super Bowl." Reid finished with five tackles against the Owls, and he made one solo stop against Buffalo the following week. Against Rutgers, coming on in relief of Haley, he had two tackles, a pass break- up, a fumble recovery and an interception that he returned 44 yards. He snared his second interception against Indiana, alertly grabbing a ball that had ricocheted off a Hoosiers receiver. Reid's strong per- formance didn't catch Penn State's coaching staff by surprise. During his re- cruitment, the coaches had been struck by his diligent approach to film work. While visiting Penn State for the Lasch Bash barbecue, a recruiting event during which prospects are encouraged to relax and enjoy the football program's hospi- tality, Reid spent much of the afternoon watching film and quizzing defensive co- ordinator Bob Shoop about schematics. "He's locked in," Franklin said. "It's school, it's football and it's his girl- friend. That's it. That is his entire focus, and I think that's also why you're seeing [him receive] an opportunity to play. When we decide to play guys, we ask: Are they physically ready? Are they mentally ready? Are they emotionally ready? He's a guy that all three of those boxes could be checked." – M.H. Reid makes early impact for Lions NO-FLY ZONE Reid breaks up a pass against Buffalo. The freshman cornerback started two games in place of Haley earlier this season. Photo by Steve Manuel

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