Manny Diaz says Ed Reed invaluable for Miami football recruiting

The hiring of Ed Reed as the Chief of Staff with the Miami football program has been invaluable in recruiting according to head coach Manny Diaz.

New Miami football Chief of Staff Ed Reed provides the Hurricanes with a legendary figure in the program who has been invaluable in recruiting according to head coach Manny Diaz. The 2021 Miami recruiting class is currently eighth in the country and on the rise following the commitment of five-star defensive tackle Leonard Taylor.

The impact Reed has made goes behind the name he brings as a Miami football legend, All-American, Superbowl champion and Pro Football Hall of Famer. Being able to talk football with Reed is a great resource for the Hurricanes, players, signees and commits according to Diaz. Reed should especially help the safeties.

As a player at Miami, Reed was always mature beyond his years. Reed was a leader of the 2001 Miami National Championship team that is the consensus best team in the history of college football. Reed was a critical hire for Diaz after speculation that former Miami fullback Alonzo Highsmith’s potential hire fell through.

Reed is a better fit for the Miami football staff. Highsmith is well into his career as an NFL executive. Highsmith eventually left the Cleveland Browns as Vice President of Player Personnel this offseason to take a personnel position with the Seattle Seahawks. Reed’s previous experience was as a Buffalo Bills assistant coach.

"“Where he’s been invaluable has been in recruiting…When we hired him, I don’t think we were aware we’d go into a shelter-in-place for as long as we did. But because we all became recruiters on the phone…it’s not even just the name Ed Reed when he talks to these young men. It’s who he is and his personality.It’s a great resource for them. And it would be hard to mention our progress in recruiting without giving Ed some credit as well.”"

The shelter-in-place put Reed on equal footing with all the other recruiters. As the Miami Football Chief of Staff, Reed is not permitted to recruit off-campus according to NCAA regulations. Being able to recruit electronically, as everyone has to until the ban on in-person recruiting is lifted, has been advantageous for Reed.

That Miami is one of only three programs with Alabama and Ohio State to have multiple five-stars commits for 2021 after a 6-7 is a testament to Reed, Diaz and the entire Miami football staff. The Hurricanes hope to continue the momentum as they trend for five-star cornerback Jason Marshall.