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| U.SportsMonday, March 17, 2008 10:38 PM CDT |
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Former Illini kicker seeks chance with NFL team
CHAMPAIGN -- Spring break is this week on the University of Illinois campus, but it will be anything but a break for former Fighting Illini kicker Jason Reda. He expects to continue a rigorous training regimen he hopes will lead him to an opportunity to test his skills at the next level. “All I’m looking for is a chance,” Reda said. Reda is realistic. He understands that when the NFL draft begins on April 26, specialists typically aren’t at the top of the priority list for most teams. Place-kickers and punters are rarely selected before the late rounds of the two-day draft and, more often than not, a free-agent contract provides the avenue to compete for a roster spot. “That’s not necessarily a bad thing,” Reda said. “It gives a kicker a chance to go where there is a need. I’m doing what I can to put myself in the best position possible.” Reda generally is regarded among the top dozen kickers available for this year’s draft. The group includes just three of the 10 semifinalists for the 2007 Lou Groza Award — Reda, Alexis Serna of Oregon State and Connor Barth of North Carolina. “There are some good kickers in this class, just like every year,” Reda said. “Unlike a lot of positions, it’s tough to know exactly where you stand. Mostly, it’s a matter of being in the right place at the right time.” Newfound patience The uncertainty of it all tests Reda’s patience. “That’s the tough part, not knowing what is out there or what people are thinking,” Reda said. “Teams don’t like to get into that, so you just don’t know where you stand. You have to be patient, and that’s not a strength, although I’m learning. I don’t have much of a choice.” Illinois’ all-time scoring leader earned his bachelor’s degree shortly before the Fighting Illini faced Southern California in the Rose Bowl, completing his most consistent season at Illinois while helping lead the team to its first Big Ten championship since 2001. Reda converted 16 of 18 field goal opportunities last season, including eight of nine from beyond 40 yards and all three of his attempts of 50 yards or more. “Consistency has been the biggest thing for me,” he said. “I feel like strength has been a constant. That’s something that’s always been important to me, but the biggest improvement I’ve made has been in being consistent from one kick to the next. “That’s something that I’ve concentrated on and the work I’ve put into it has paid off. I’m hitting the ball in the right spot consistently and that has made me a more consistent kicker.” Work continues With his degree in hand, Reda’s sole focus is on seeing what opportunities exist for him in football. “It’s 24-7 football. I’m doing what I can to give myself a chance,” Reda said. “I feel like I owe that to myself.” His routine includes daily strength and conditioning work at Illinois’ football facilities in addition to plenty of kicking indoors or out. “The coaches and staff members are good about letting us use the facilities and help us in any way they can,” Reda said. “From 9 in the morning until 2 in the afternoon, the facilities are pretty much available and that gives me plenty of time to get in and do what I need to do in the weight room or on the fields.” He’s also doing what he can to market himself to NFL teams. Reda was one of four kickers who participated in a College All-Star Skills Competition in Tempe, Ariz., in late January. The event provided him with some exposure and a chance to compete. “That was a good time and good way to get on the field with some other kickers. That’s something you don’t get a chance to do in college,” he said. Reda saw it as a chance to improve his name recognition after opting not to speak to the media during his record-setting senior season, something that started out of a desire to concentrate on his performance. Once he had success on the field, Reda saw no need to change the routine. He did fulfill his promise of making himself available to reporters after the final game of the season. As it turned out, Reda broke Illinois’ career scoring record in the Rose Bowl. “That’s behind me now, just something I needed to do and I think it helped me focus,” Reda said. “My senior season was like living a dream. It was great, a lot of fun and this has been, too. It’s been a different experience.” Jason Reda by the numbers:Height: 6-foot-1 Weight: 200 Career scoring total: 267 (Illinois record) 2007 FGs: 16-for-18 2007 FGs 20-29 yards: 3-4 2007 FGs 30-39 yards: 5-5 2007 FGs 40-49 yards: 5-6 2007 FGs 50+ yards: 3-3 2007 PATs: 44-45 E-mail this story | Print this story | Search archives | RSS Show comments |  Hide comments | Hide comments on all stories |
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