Steelers Draft Interview: Pitt RB Desmond Reid

Steelers Now caught up with Pitt running back Desmond Reid at the 2026 NFL Combine. #steelers #herewego #nflCONNECT WITH STEELERS NOW:Steelers Now: https://steelersnow.comSN on Twitter: https://twitter.com/pghsteelersnowSN on FB: https://facebook.com/steelersnowSN on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/pghsteelersnow/

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Every, every play I'm, you know, playing my hardest.

So, you know, I'm all for the team, you know.

Hopefully, you know, I hope the scouts see that, you know, what-- I do whatever I can to help the team win.

What was it like guarding two young quarterbacks in back to back years and becoming big assets for them in every phase of the game?

you know, it was tough, but, you know, it was fun, you know.

you know, like, one thing I like about me, you know, I like to, you know, teach younger guys, you know.

That's something I, you know, really like doing.

And, you know, the way them guys, you know, they play, they want to learn, you know.

They wanted to come play every, every practice, you know, they came ready to work.

And, you know, it was just fun, you know, playing around with some young guys, you know, you know, they listen.

It was-- So it was fun.

Des, just how tough was this year for you?

The injuries popping up every time you'd come back and maybe feel healthy, you would just get hurt again.

How frustrating was that throughout this year?

you know, it was tough, you know, especially coming off the season I had the year before.

you know, so it was very tough, you know.

It definitely, you know, messed up my mental a little bit, but, you know, I just kept pushing, you know, come in every day, treat it like work day.

you know, just being there for the team.

So, you know, it was very tough, but, you know, got through it.

Can you tell us a little bit about, for maybe Texas fans out there that are excited about the guy like to-- see the guy like Rasheem Miles coming in.

What, what is he like in practice going against him in practice, and what does he bring to your defense?

you know, he bring energy.

you know, he, he ain't afraid of the work.

You know, you know he's at practice.

You gonna hear his mouth every, every down, every play, every time, you know.

but, you know, he's very fun to play with.

you know, he just bring energy to the team, not even just the defense.

What, what about out-outside of his energy?

What, what about his skillset?

What, what's your kind of scouting report?

you know, he can do everything you want him to do.

You know, he, he's not the biggest guy, but, you know, he can come blitz, you know, get a tackle for loss, you know, he can cover.

so he everything, you know, you would want a running back to be just, you know, on the smaller side, but he does everything you want him to do.

Kate Wells offense asks a lot-asked a lot of you because, you know, catching, running, running all these different routes.

What was the biggest thing you felt yourself growing and learning in working with Kate Wells offense?

really, I'd really say the passing game, anything with the passing game because, you know, my two years at Western Carolina, I wasn't really utilized in the passing game as much as, you know, when I got to Pitt.

So, you know, that was something, you know, I got, you know, better at, the passing game routes, you know, picking up blocks.

you know, that was something I had to learn, you know, as time came through at Pitt.

Des, your size is obviously gonna be the talk of your process, but do you look about-- do you look back to guys like Darren Sproles and Tariq Cohen and guys that are your size that have been success stories?

And who maybe do you think you can take a model of your game after or maybe look at to say, "Hey, I might be this size, but there's been guys like me in the past that have played well?"

Yeah, you know, you know, a lot of people like to talk about my size, but there's been guys in the league that, you know, did well at my size.

You know, like you said, Tariq Cohen, you know, they-- I like the way the Bears used him back then.

They put him at receiver, used him a lot at running back, had a couple plays for him, just for him.

you know, I would like to get utilized like that, you know.

So, you know, him and Darren Sproles, them two people I really looked up to, especially, you know, the things they did.

Darren Sproles, not only offensively, but, you know, special teams, you know, kick return, punt return, you know, that's something I really like to do.

So, you know, I look up to them.

When you're- When people obsess over the forty time, what's more important to you, the first ten yards or the whole speed?

re-- I mean, really both of them, but, you know, the first ten, that's what really, you know, really matters.

So you-- if you don't have that first ten down, you know, the, the last one is gonna be, you know, real tough.

So you definitely gotta have the first ten for sure.

You got a prediction on your forty?

No predictions, just, you know, something, you know, something, you know, something fast.

That's all I'm gonna say.

Desmond, have you met with Americus team yet?

Say that again.

Have you met with Americus team yet?

Yes, sir.

I met with them.

How'd that go?

Went well, very well.

you know, talked about myself.

You know, they told me, you know, they like the way I play.

you know, heard good things, so, you know, it went well.

What, what's the craziest question you've been asked so far this whole process?

Something funnier, some of the stuff out- none of the questions really was, you know, really difficult.

You know, I, you know, I'm-- I ain't seen any question, you know, I ain't think any of the questions were very difficult.

Is three million enough to retire on?

Three million?

nah, I wouldn't say.

I wouldn't say that.

Yeah.

Can you run through the different teams that you've talked, you've spoken with in, in your combine process so far?

Repeat that, please.

Have you-- can you run through different NFL teams you've spoken with in your combine process?

you know, Vikings, Seahawks, Rams, Chiefs, Dolphins, Lions, Bucs, Jaguars.

that's all the teams I talked to here.

Desmond, after the handoff, where does your eye go to first?

it really depends on, you know, what type of play it is.

you know, if it's an inside zone, you know, first thing I'm looking at, you know, the D-line.

But, but once I get through the hole, I'm looking for the safety.

You know, you know, that's, you know, what we try to do, get us one on one with the safety.

So, you know, I'm looking for to making him miss.

So, you know, it really depends on the play, but mo-- or nine times out of ten, the safety.

What type of run scheme maximizes your game?

Do you like twenty two personnel, eleven personnel?

What do you like?

you know, we ran a lot of eleven personnel, you know, tight end, one running back.

And, you know, that was majority of what we ran, you know, my whole college career.

So I'd say that.

But, you know, I'm any, any personnel, I'm good with.

Desmond, what are-- who are the top five rushbacks in the NFL right now, starting with Coach Palmer?

Top five?

There's no order to it.

There's no order.

you know, Jahmyr Gibbs, Christian McCaffrey for sure.

I like, what's his name from the Rams?

Kyle Williams, I like him.

I like Devin Achane.

I like him.

you know, I see myself in him as well.

now what-- I was saying, what that was?

Four?

That was four.

Y'all good, sir.

Uh...Saquon.

Saquon.

Des-Des, what was it like every day practicing next to a NFL team?

How did that help you at all, just being with the Steelers?

it, it was different, you know.

I, I enjoyed it, you know.

you know, we out there practicing, you know, we see them practicing or they're watching, you know.

So, you know, it's very fun, you know, a very s- fun experience.

You know, a lot of, a lot of colleges get to, you know, see that.

you know, get to watch their practices, see how they you know, how the NFL run things.

so I, I enjoyed that.

Did you get to connect with Jalen Warren, Penny Gainwell, anyone like that that maybe were mentors to you or were able to help you with just little tidbits or- not really.

You know, the time, you know, our schedules and stuff, you know, I never really got to, you know, really talk to them guys, you know, 'cause, you know, after practice I'm getting treatment, then I gotta go right to class and stuff.

So I never really had time to talk to them guys.

But, you know, that would've been nice to, to have talked to them.

What, what do you think of how Kyle performed yesterday in his drills, and what do you think he's gonna bring to the table as, in the draft?

I mean, Kyle a dog, man.

I think everybody you can turn the tape on and see that, you know.

A lot of people gonna talk about his size, but Kyle could do whatever you want him to do.

You can put him at safety, you can put him at lineback.

You w- want him blicks off the edge, you know.

I expect all that stuff from him, you know.

So everything he did yesterday, I expected all that, so.

You guys ever race?

Oh yeah, I, I There's, there's no race.

Des- Have you been to the bay this week for Bucky Irving?

Say that again?

Have you been to Bucky Irving's this week?

Yes, sir.

Met with him.

Was that formal or informal?

It was for- for informal.

Informal, yeah.

How cool would it be to play in that offense, to be with Bucky Irving and, you know, quarterback being one of your best friends?

it, it would be nice.

You know, I like Bucky Irving.

I like, you know, I like his game.

you know, a lot of people told me they see, you know, my game as, you know, Bucky Irving a little bit.

So, you know, that'd be nice, especially, and that's in Florida too, so it'll be nice, you know, playing Florida, so.

Desmond, what's the headline coming out of Combine for you?

you know, I think everybody really do wanna see how fast I am.

I think a lot of people really wanna see how my 40 is, so I'd say that's the, that's the main thing people wanna see.

Desmond, when GMs look at your tape, what do you hope that they see?

Something that might be underrated or underappreciated?

not a lot of people talk about it, but my blocking, you know.

I haven't gave up a sack in college at all, you know.

that's something, you know, a lot of people don't talk about.

you know, I done seen some, some sites where people say, you know, my blocking is one of my weaknesses, but I haven't gave up a sack.

You know, I take real you know, I take pride in that.

you know, that's something my running back coach, you know, always say, "You don't block, you don't play, or you don't get the ball," you know.

So, you know, I take pride in blocking.

Well, yeah, that's another thing that comes from your size.

People just look at you and assume, nah, he can't block, and then you gotta surprise people again.

Yeah.

You know, that was, that was the main Even when I came to Pittsburgh, you know, it's, a lot of the players let that know, "Yeah, he can't block."

But, you know, that's, that's, you know, they look at that, they think size has something to do with blocking.

It has nothing to do with blocking.

You Blocking is a want to.

You know, it's not something that, are you able to do it.

Anybody could.

You know, if they wanna go block, they gonna block.

So that- Des, Des, can you take us in-inside You, you talked about mentorship and mentoring young guys.

Boozie obviously had a really good year while you were hurting.

You talked about blocking, he had that same mentality.

What was your mentorship like with Boozie, and how was it watching him take off, you know, and you guys when you played together being a really dynamic one-two punch?

Yeah.

You know, me and Boozie, we real close.

You know, when Since he first came in, you know, took him under my wing.

You know, he always, you know, came in ready to listen, ready to work.

you know, he battled with injuries, you know, throughout the spring and the, fall, but, you know, he always came, came every day ready to work, ready to learn new things.

And, you know, he al- we always, he always asking me for, you know, you know, major Like, he'll watch, wanna watch film with me, see why I did something or why, why should he do something.

We'll watch his practice film.

and he, he just like to learn from his mistakes, and he'll never make the same mistakes twice, so.

When you were dealing with those injuries, how do you kinda take your mind off of things?

Say it again.

When you were dealing with your injuries, how do you take your mind off of things, just, like, outside of football?

outside of football, you know, I'm not I'm a big football guy, so if I'm not playing it, I'm watching it, you know?

So no, I don't really do nothing other than football, you know.

I'm a family guy.

you know, I like to bowl and stuff, but other than that, I, I like, I just watch football, you know?

I just, you know, that's something I love.

So even if I'm not playing, I'm not happy that I'm playing, I, I enjoy watching it.

Are you good at bowling?

Yeah, I'm good at bowling.

You ever hit 300?

Nah, 200.

Okay.

200, 200.

Yeah, I ain't there yet.

I ain't there yet.

Desmond, with all that said, the Panthers talked about, like, the why of a player, the why a guy is so committed to the game, why he loves the game.

What is your why?

you know, football is something I love, you know.

it's something I've been doing since I was young, you know.

I never looked at it for no money.

you know, I, I just love playing football.

Football take my mind off a lot of stuff, you know.

going through family issues or any, any issues off the field, as soon as I walk in the facility, play football, my mind is totally off that, you know.

I'm back happy, you know.

So, you know, football did a lot for me growing up.

How would you describe your running style for someone that hasn't seen you play before?

I'm just dyna- dynamic running back, you know.

I do whatever.

You know, somebody You know, I, I, I could run somebody over.

You know, I showed that on my film.

You know, I'm not just a, you know, wanna make you miss type of guy.

You know, I do a lot of things, keep you, you know, thinking.

So I don't really have a, you know, you know, my running style.

So honestly I do, I do pretty much everything.

Des, where did that, small guy, run big mindset come from?

You know, you, you talked in the m- in the back where you had Small guy, you had a chip on your shoulder.

Mm-hmm.

Where, where did your chip come from?

Do you remember, like, when you were a kid and you were like, "I'm gonna play this way"?

You know, really just, you know, me hearing things growing up, you know, a lot of people talking down on me, you know.

It just, you know, kept me focused and, you know, made me want to, you know, prove people wrong, you know.

that's something I always, you know, lo- I love doing that, proving people wrong.

'Cause I Everybody has, you know, something bad about me, you know, until they watch me actually watch me play.

so, you know, that's just, you know, something I like to do, prove people wrong.

Can you take me inside your toughness?

At that Florida State game, you, you were injured, you came back.

You were still on the injury report even after that.

Just how much of that was toughness for you to play through that?

And not only play through an injury, but I mean, you put up insane numbers in that game.

Yes, sir.

You know, you know, number one, you know, I ain't like Florida State, you know?

That's a Florida team.

You know, they ain't recruit me coming outta high school, so, you know, that was a game I really wanted to play in.

you know, but, you know, my team, you know, they wanted me to play.

You know, they always want me to play.

And I feel like I was, you know, I wa- I give my 100%, you know, I wasn't 100%, but, you know, if I whenever I go out there and play, I'm gonna give it my all.

And, you know, I was able to do that that game.

Is your ankle 100% now?

Yes.

Yes.

You got it- It is.

Was it the same injury that just kept popping up for you?

Yeah, it was the same- You kept getting rolled up on, right?

Yeah.

You know, a lot of people, you know, they say, "Oh, he's got hurt," but, you know, it was the same injury.

you know, I never really gave it time to rest.

And, like, I wasn't supposed to play that Florida State game, you know, and I just came back and played.

So, you know, that just, you know, nagged on me the whole year.

Yeah.

What's your favorite Pitt moment or Pitt game or two that, that you remember?

I would say 2024, we played Cincinnati.

The comeback.

you know, the comeback.

Yeah, that was bad.

That was the first, you know, real first battle, you know.

New team, new coaches.

So, you know, it was, you know, it t- it was actually good how the team responded being down 19 points in the fourth quarter, and how we responded, at a away game too.

So, you know, I really enjoyed that game.

For, for you as a mentor, when you saw, George-

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