Q with Eric Reid – Junior Safety

Growing up in Dutchtown, the son of two former LSU track stars, Eric Reid has been a football star at every level and is now regarded as one of the top safeties in the country. Here he tells 225 about his LSU idol growing up, his own gridiron legacy and his favorite thing about playing in Tiger Stadium.

I’ve been fortunate enough to live my dream. Growing up in Baton Rouge and in Tiger country, this is where I always wanted to go.

I’ve wanted to go to LSU and play ball as long as I can remember.

I can remember one Christmas when I was 7, and me and my little brother opened up our presents. I got an LSU plastic helmet and uniform, and he got the Saints. That was when I knew what I wanted to do.

Laron Landry. That was my guy. I loved to watch him play, and I’ve tried to imitate him for as long as I can remember.

My first thought was, I can’t believe LSU want[s] me to play for their team. Once I got that offer, nobody else had a chance.

When I came on my visit with my parents, that showed me a lot more about the school and how great it is academically, and that was important to me. [My parents] wanted to know all about what would help me as a student-athlete.

Once they saw what LSU had to offer, they were convinced there was no excuse for me to not do my work and be a great student.

The coolest thing is to walk out of the tunnel into Death Valley with 92,000 people cheering for you. There’s really nothing like it.

I can remember when I was being recruited and LSU was playing Florida, and some of their guys were stomping on the eye of the tiger in the middle of the field. It got so loud in there that I got a headache.

My first big game was against Alabama my freshman season. I never imagined being put in that position as a freshman and having to play Alabama of all teams.

Fortunately, I was prepared and played well.

When the clock at the Georgia Dome went to all 0s and I knew we’d won an SEC championship, because I had never won one before.

I hope they can say I was a hardworking guy who did the best he could for his team every time he stepped on the field.