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Penn State Football: Week 4 Studs and Duds against Illinois

By Corey Hunter

CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 21: Trace McSorley #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs the ball as Bennett Williams #4 of the Illinois Fighting Illini reaches for the tackle during the game at Memorial Stadium on September 21, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 21: Trace McSorley #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs the ball as Bennett Williams #4 of the Illinois Fighting Illini reaches for the tackle during the game at Memorial Stadium on September 21, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 17: John Reid #29 of the Penn State Nittany Lions carries the ball against the Temple Owls during the game on September 17, 2016 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 17: John Reid #29 of the Penn State Nittany Lions carries the ball against the Temple Owls during the game on September 17, 2016 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Cornerback – John Reid

Cornerback John Reid has now had the unenviable pleasure of making the Duds list twice this season.

The Mount Laurel, NJ native is one of the smartest players on the team.  The Penn State coaches thought so much of him and his knowledge of the game that he accompanied the team on away games last year.  He was essentially another coach.  As a true freshman in 2015, Reid showed his potential as he became one of James Franklin’s best cover corners.  He recorded 29 tackles and two interceptions for the Lions who finished 7-6 on the season.

His 2016 campaign picked up right where his 2015 season had ended.  He was arguably considered Penn State’s top cover corner.  He accrued 36 tackles on the season along with one interception.  He also added punt return duties to his ever-expansive plate.

It was during the off-season prior to the 2017 season that Reid fist got injured.  He missed the entire 2017 season and redshirted with a knee injury.  While it was a bitter pill to swallow for Reid and the Nittany Lions, it was almost fait accompli that he would be back better than ever in 2018.

Unfortunately for Reid, that hasn’t been the case thus far.  He has still been trying to shake off the rust.  Whether its game conditioning or a re-aggravation of his injury, Reid has sat out two of the first four games.  When he has played, he has looked a step slow.

Friday night, Reid was beaten for a touchdown and he was forced to take a pass interference penalty to avoid another score (Illinois would score two plays later).

Saturday against Ohio State will be interesting to see how the Penn State coaches assess Reid’s playing ability.  While Reid is likely to be active for the game, Penn State has been showing more faith in Tariq Castro-Fields as a cover corner than Reid of late.

If Penn State can get Reid back on track, his addition to the secondary both as a cover corner, and an extra defensive back in the nickel package can only enhance the Nittany Lions secondary.

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