Eric Reid (American football)

Eric Todd Reid (born December 10, 1991) is an American football safety for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Louisiana State University (LSU), and received All-American recognition. He was considered one of the top safety prospects in his class, and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

Early life
Reid was born to Eric and Sharon Reid in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He attended Dutchtown High School in Geismar, Louisiana, and played for the Dutchtown Griffins high school football team. He played in the 2010 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

College career
Reid enrolled in Louisiana State University, where he played for coach Les Miles' LSU Tigers football team from 2010 to 2012. As a freshman in 2010, played in 13 games with three starts. He finished the season with 32 tackles and two interceptions. As a first-year starter as a sophomore in 2011, Reid recorded 76 tackles, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. He was named a second-team All-American by Rivals.com and was a second team All-SEC selection by the Associated Press. Reid also played in the 2010 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

As a junior in 2012, he started all 13 games at safety and finished third on the team in tackles with 91 (42 unassisted), two interceptions, and seven pass breakups. He was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American, having received first-team honors from the American Football Coaches Association, Football Writers Association of America, ESPN, and Scout.com, and second-team honors from the Associated Press, Walter Camp Football Foundation, Athlon Sports, CBSsports.com, and Sports Illustrated. He was also a first-team All-SEC selection.

2013 NFL Draft and NFL Career
Reid entered the 2013 NFL Draft. The San Francisco 49ers traded up with the Dallas Cowboys to hold the 18th overall pick. He was drafted 18th overall by the San Francisco 49ers, because former safety Dashon Goldson left via free agency to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On August 27, Reid won the team's starting free safety job over teammate Craig Dahl. In his first regular season game as a 49er, a week 1 win against the Green Bay Packers in San Francisco, Reid recorded his first NFL Career interception on a pass thrown by Aaron Rodgers. In the following game against the Seahawks, he recorded another interception. However, in that game, he sustained a concussion. In one of his best games of the year, Reid notched an interception and recovered a fumble against the Arizona Cardinals. Later in the season, against the Carolina Panthers, he was concussed again. However, in his whole rookie season he did not miss a start. He ended his rookie season with 77 tackles, and 4 interceptions. At the end of his terrific rookie season, Reid was elected to the 2014 Pro Bowl.