Interview: Explosive California 2017 RB Miles Reed Talks Commitment to Hawaii

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Score a big win for head coach Nick Rolovich and the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors staff. On Sunday, Jan. 29, Hawaii publically notched an under the radar recruiting gem in 2017 running back Miles Reed snagging one of the biggest steals ahead of National Signing Day.

Reed had an explosive senior season crushing the in-state California competition and the out-of-state powers that treaded into the Inland Empire. The 5-8, 185 pound, speed and power back rushed for 2,198 yards off 268 carries with 34 trips to the end zone. The all-purpose back also hauled in nine passes for 163 yards helping Centennial High School (Corona) finish the 2016 as a MaxPrep’s Top 10 team in the nation with an 11-2 record.

Interest was coming in from all over the country but Reed had narrowed down his list of potential schools to Washington State, Montana, and Hawaii. When Reed’s announcement video went out Sunday night, not only did they get a potential immediate impact player on their roster, but also scored a true student-athlete that carries a 3.5 GPA and scored a 1020 on his SAT.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Reed to get the inside scoop on how Hawaii landed his verbal commitment.

Interview

Miles, first, congrats on your commitment.

“Thank you.”

Catch us up. Did you have a top schools list put together after the dead period and if so which schools were on that list?

“My top schools were Washington State, Montana, and Hawaii.”

Which schools hosted you for an official visit?

“Montana and Hawaii.”

Obviously the trip to paradise went well. If you will, please give me an overview on that official visit.

“It was different, but in a good way. Being with the coaches and players, it seemed natural. It did not seem like I was far away from home. I felt like Hawaii was a place where I could jump in and be a part of the culture right away. We all got a long really well.”

Beyond feeling at home during your visit, what else influenced you to commit to Hawaii?

“Really just the opportunity. The program is on the upswing under head coach Nick Rolovich. I know I can trust him. I know that because the players trust him. When that is going down that is a successful program. They are graduating some running backs which leaves room for a guy like me to make an impact as a freshman.”

How did the commitment take place?

“Going into the Hawaii visit I was committed to Montana. I re-opened it between the coaches. Right before the visit, on Wednesday and Thursday, I had in-home visits with Montana and Hawaii. That was the mark. I knew then but I wanted to be sure. After I was there and saw everything, I let them know I was 100 percent with Hawaii.”

Who did you commit to?

“I let Coach (Brian) Smith (offensive coordinator) and I let Coach Rolovich know I was committing. They were in So Cal when I committed to them. They came over the next day and we hung out for a little while.”

How did the coaches respond to your commitment?

“They were excited. I was one of the last pieces of the puzzle they needed. They already had one running back (Kesi Ah-Hoy) committed but they needed two. They got an offensive lineman earlier in the week (Micah Vanterpool). They needed me to come along. They were very excited that I was jumping on board.”

How did you feel at that moment when you verbally committed?

“For a second I was nervous because it is kind of far from home. But once I made it official, a weight was lifted. I am even more excited now. Not just about football but I’m also excited about attending school there. This is just something I never thought of that could happen to me. I am very happy for the opportunity and I plan on making good on it.”

Have the coaches told you how they plan on using you in their scheme?

“They see more as a speed back, but not just a third down back. They rotate three backs. They have a short-yardage down guy, an every down guy, and a speed back guy. I see them using me as an every down back and as a speed back. They have a bigger front. They can use me as the little guy hiding behind the big guys up front.”

Are you expected to be on field during your freshman year?

“The words they used are they ‘expect it.’ They cannot make any promises. It is up to me to make an impact early.”

I know you will. Miles, have you done anything yet to celebrate your commitment?

“Not yet.”

Do you have any plans to celebrate?

“We are going to have a little party at the house. We’ll keep it simple, nothing extreme.”

Have the coaches given you anything to work on during the off-season?

“They know that my goal already is to get bigger. I want to get a little faster and bigger during the off-season. They did not give me anything specific to work on yet. They know I will develop as a running back and I know I have room for improvement. They will improve me as a back and as a football player.”

When do you report to Hawaii?

“I should be going in June. I should get up there early so I can get into the weight room and get into the classroom. It should be interesting.”

Miles, thanks for your time today and, again, congratulations on your commitment to Hawaii.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; Miles Reed.

Photo credit: LATimes.com; No. 4 Miles Reed vs. IMG Academy