Denver Broncos: Thomas Reed III; A glimpse into the life of an NFL hopeful

Finding NFL hopefuls and future Denver Broncos does not just occur in April at the NFL draft every year. General managers like George Paton and NFL scouts make their way by hitting on diamonds in the rough.

Unheralded NFL hopefuls such as Chris Harris Jr., Malik Reed, Tim Patrick, and Phillip Lindsay were added to the team with little fanfare, but have etched their way into prominent roles with an NFL franchise.

Prospects have to make their way in any way possible. Most are not offered opportunities such as playing in the Senior Bowl.

Meet an NFL hopeful Thomas N. Reed III

Finding Denver Broncos takes grit, time, and commitment from the organization to scour through the entire football landscape.

Name: Thomas N. Reed III

Height:  6-foot-2

Weight:  235 pounds

Position: DE/OLB

College: Adams State University

40-Yard-Dash Time:  4.9 (pro day) – 4.7 (FCF tryout)

Broad Jump: 10’6”

Vertical Jump: 36.5

Twitter: @Official_TReed

Instagram: @OfficialThomasReed3

NFL hopeful Thomas N. Reed III has a unique past and hopeful dreams of playing in the NFL. Reed III grew up in Deer Park, NY, and attended Deer Park High School. While playing for Deer Park High School, Reed III earned All-Conference accolades and also earned a Gold Medal for the United States National Football Team U19.

Reed III attended ASA College Brooklyn in Brooklyn, NY before transferring to Adams State University.

After playing through his senior season, Reed III has more to think about than football.

Reed III has plans of an exceptional future while also facing the reality many fans lose sight of. As Reed III prepared for his NFL Pro-Day, he also had to plan about what other options he may have in life.

Contrary to the belief of many, life for college athletes who move transition from playing for their school to grinding daily to push their way through the NFL barrier.

Reed III is interested in making a change in the lives of others, in any way possible. He offers to provide individual instruction to kids in need while also chasing his dream. Currently, he holds a job, like you or me, while also training constantly as he awaits his opportunity to play professionally like players he has emulated his game after.

As a young athlete, he modeled his game and watched a lot of Jason Taylor, tried to learn the spin like Dwight Freeney, the hump move like Reggie White, and versatile players like Michael Strahan, and Julius Peppers.

Like most NFL players, his dream started early,

"My dream and goal was to always play football at the professional level, even as a child.  As my mother would say, “Carry yourself as you view yourself.” and I have dedicated myself to that quote. With that in mind, then being able to have a pro day infront of NFL teams, I hit a surreal moment and realized this is my opportunity, and my chance to play football professionally. That was a real chance and moment.Thomas Reed III (via direct interview)"

So, what does it take to an NFL hopeful into an NFL prospect?

Reed III focused on his NFL Pro-Day in March of 2020.

The former Adams State Grizzlies defensive end excelled by playing with his hand in the dirt. He terrorized opponents on the field while working hard in the classroom.

As NFL prospects prepare for the “league”, NFL hopefuls oftentimes find the most challenging part of preparing for the draft is finding time to sit down. As busy as prospects are as student-athletes are in their collegiate time doesn’t stop in their preparation for professional football.

NFL hopeful, Reed III met with scouts, set up pro-days, and travels for private workouts, doing private workouts, all while making sure he is improving each day both physically and mentally.

At his pro-day (March 9th, 2020), Reed III ran the 40-yard dash, 5-10-5 shuttle, L-cone shuttle, broad jump, vertical jump, and then moved to do the linebacker drops and movements. Like most athletes, he was not 100 percent at the time he worked out for scouts.

"“One of my thoughts was just to stay confident, relax, and just execute what I was taught and trained. One of the other thoughts was to give it everything I had. The day of my pro day, I was still recovering from a slight hamstring tweak. In my mind, it was ‘give it everything you have with this one opportunity’ or sit out, and I was not about to take that opportunity for granted.”– Thomas Reed III"

Since then, he is now 100 percent healthy. He has had more opportunities to showcase his talents in front of NFL teams even after his pro-day. Reed III has focused on improving his numbers from his pro-day.

Like many other prospects awaiting their chance, his mindset remains to stay focused, healthy, and keep getting better.

As a player who identifies and as “selfless” which is supported by his teammates and coaches, Reed III has to change course now. He must become selfish to find his dreams. This must be a challenge for a guy who looks out for his teammates on and off the field.

His desire to uplift others pulls on his time, and he can’t afford to let moments waste. As a player from a small program, Reed III has to capitalize on every opportunity to get his name out there for scouts and coaches.

He fights those challenges as he uses his admiration for his teammates to help him train. He uses those connections to uplift each of his teammates through a competition to improve.

Like many hopeful Denver Broncos, or of any NFL team, Reed III is open to changing everything he has been accustomed to playing football his entire life.

"I played with my hand in the dirt as a defensive end my whole college career, but I am currently working and learning on the transition to Linebacker but truthfully, I see myself doing whatever is best for the team that gives me the opportunity to play for them.  I take my blessings and opportunities as they come, especially at this level. Practice squad, special teams, or 53-man roster. Just be coachable, learn, and work.– Thomas Reed III"

Many fans forget that players in Reed III’s position, becoming a professional prospect, have often been the most talented player on every team they’ve been on. Most times, their talents and preferences are highlighted, and coming to the NFL is the first time they are asked to change up anything to their game.

The NFL Reed III played defensive end his entire career, and associated his position in his fondest memory:

"One of my most memorable plays was at Adams State University playing against Colorado Mesa. I was playing defensive end on the closed side of the field. The ran a read option reading the open field side DE. The QB decided to hand the ball off. As I am coming backside, the running back finds a hole to break open and try to score. As I am bending the corner on the tackle, I chase the play down and end up tackling the running back before he breaks open for a big run and/or score.– Thomas Reed III"

But his humility is also on display as he then said, “Always hustle to the ball.”

Reed III’s humility and selflessness is an asset as it allows him to change and mold to a team’s needs. For many players, this is where they become lost. They struggle to adapt and lose sight of their dreams because of their rigidity or privilege and its negative impact on their psyche.

Reed III’s challenge now is to not lose hope. He grinds more than you or I can imagine. His dream of suiting up for the Denver Broncos drives him to achieve something most of us can’t.

What keeps alive the dream of an NFL hopeful?

Reed III’s dreams to play go beyond the glory or money associated with being an NFL player.

His response should inspire us all.

"What keeps my NFL dream alive is my family, my blessings, and my power for change.My family is one because through all the pain and struggle that my family has encountered, they still found a way to make things happen for me and support me. When I am playing on the field, alot of those pains and struggles are no longer there. They are happy and at peace watching me play. My family’s last name is my purpose and who I am a representation of. I need to take care of them.My blessings keep my dream alive because I have endured a lot of mental and physical struggles throughout my athletic career. The fact that I was able to play in high school, play for Team USA in kuwait in 2014, play through my whole college career, and have a opportunity of a pro day right before COVID-19 hit in 2020 tells me that I am blessed to do what I do and my time is not done.The reason the NFL dream is alive also is for the power of change. The NFL is a big and amazing platform to make change. I have helped four athletes continue their academic and athletic careers at four-year colleges/universities on scholarship. I currently mentor youth and young adults as of now in Colorado and I am not even where I want and need to be yet. Realizing the change you can make and the lives you can save while playing the game you love is a beautiful thing and an amazing blessing. I want to continue giving back to the community and making change for the better.– Thomas Reed III"

How does an NFL Hopeful prepare to play in the league?

To start his day, Reed III wakes up early and heads to the Landow Performance training complex in Centennial, Colorado.

The NFL hopeful warms up and begins with speed and lateral drills. Focusing on the explosion with his speed, he then challenges his body with conditioning.

When he completes his cardio-vascular training efforts, he hits the weight room. However, he does not lift weights like most of us. He focuses on training specific techniques designed to help his body for the challenges of the professional game.

When he completes his lifting, he must focus on self-care and recovery. From IV treatments to alternative treatments such as cupping and acupuncture, Reed III cannot lose sight of his goals. He doesn’t get to splurge like you or me. He has to treat his body like a business investment, all while still balancing the stress of paying his bills.

NFL hopefuls like Reed cannot just focus on football. Like most prospects, he has to work until he finds an NFL home. He takes himself from his training program to his 9-5 job to make ends meet while he waits for his opportunity.

Imagine putting yourself through all of this for your dream. Could you? Reed III has a chance many of us don’t have, but a lot of that is due to his humility and dedication.

It’s taken a lot for Reed III to get here. A lot of work and talent. He has done his part and will continue to do so.

Who knows, maybe we may have uncovered an NFL hopeful and undrafted gem and found a future Denver Bronco.

His advice for you if you are an NFL hopeful seems simple, but impactful.

"First, do what you need to do in the classroom, stay eligible, and think long term about thingsthat you can see yourself doing outside of your sport, careerwise. Even if you do notknow 100 percent, have at least 2-3 ideas of what you want to do as a career.Cherish the game that you play. There are thousands of people who look up to you andwish they have the blessings and abilities that you do. This game does not last forever socherish the game and does not take it for granted.Be Uncomfortable learning yourself. Do not get so consumed with the game that youlose yourself. Learn your interest, hobbies, etc. Expand your mind by doing things thatyou would not usually do. The more uncomfortable experiences you have in life, the more you learn yourself and grow. Once you finish school and go out into the real world, sometimes that availability time to learn yourself, mature, and growth starts to decrease.– Thomas Reed III"

Denver Broncos free agent options if Von Miller is not back

If the Denver Broncos part ways with franchise cornerstone Von Miller, how would they potentially soften the blow in free agency?

Perhaps one day we will see Reed wearing the orange and blue.