Versatile Defender Mook Reynolds Discusses his Recruitment

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Like the rest of Hokie Nation, Northern Guilford (Greensboro, North Carolina) standout Mook Reynolds took notice of the Bears drafting Tech's Kyle Fuller 14th overall in the NFL Draft.

"That pretty much reassured my decision, it made me feel really good about my decision," Reynolds told me Friday afternoon.

Mook made a verbal commitment to the Hokies in early February, but that hasn't stopped other schools like Notre Dame and Tennessee from pursuing him.

What does he tell other suitors?

"I tell them straight up if they don't know, I'm committed to Virginia Tech. I have no shame in saying that. I love Virginia Tech.

"One of the reasons why I chose them is because I felt like that was the place for me. I could see where I can fit in playing at a program like that."

Tech's coaches have a familiar plan for how to best use Mook's talents as soon as possible.

"I'm being recruited to play corner, but the rover / strong safety look is definitely a look that can be in my future. I'm being recruited to kind of fill in for Kyle Fuller, and do all the similar things that he's done."

Fuller spent the early part of his career at whip / nickel before transitioning to corner. Reynolds' film is evidence that he has the athleticism, fundamentals, instincts, and tackling ability to play both inside the box and matched up outside against a wide receiver. Mook's hybrid safety / linebacker position at Northern Guilford is one that demands versatility much like Tech's whip / nickel.

"The offensive setup decides if I play 10 yards off like a two-high, or if I play in the box.

"I like to play at 2 yards, because I know I'm quick enough, at the high school level, to get where I need to get. I'm really physical, so I like to get back in the backfield on blitzes and cause a lot of chaos back there. I think I play close based off of my physical instincts, and I use my athleticism a lot. My job basically is to create plays, create problems for the offense, and that's what I do, and I succeed at it."

In his own words, the 6 foot, 175 pounds Reynolds, "Loves the physical aspect of the game," but wants to be near the action more. If an offense is known for running it, he wants to be in the box. If he's going against a pass-happy opponent, he wants to be in coverage looking to make interceptions. He's a true gamer.

"I don't like the games when we play regular teams and blow them out. The fun games I had this year were a triple overtime game, and an overtime game. We won the triple overtime game, and lost the overtime game, but those were the best two games."

Needless to say, many programs around the country want to sign a player with that attitude and on-the-field skills.

"I don't put anybody out. If they offer me, then I'm going to take a visit to see if I like it. I want to be sure about my decision. They know I'm committed to Virginia Tech. All I can say is, until I take a visit I'll never know how I feel about a school."

Coaches Wiles, Foster, and Gray are all recruiting Mook for the Hokies. His relationship with Torrian Gray has grown over several meetings. Reynolds went from not knowing who the leader of #DBU was, to being able to talk to him about anything.

"That's the strongest relationship I have with a coach of any college that's recruiting me."

Mook's undecided on what major he'll pursue in college, but he is on track to graduate high school and enroll early.

On how he juggles his recruitment, accelerated academic plan, football, and being a teenager, "It's a part of life. My dad told me, work now and play later, or play now and work later."

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21st century QBs Undefeated vs UVA:
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