E.J. Reid Signs With St. Louis Rams

Former Utah State football player E.J. Reid has signed a free agent contract with the St. Louis Rams after participating in their rookie minicamp over the weekend.

Reid, a 6-2, 320-pound defensive tackle from Kahuku, Hawaii, played at Utah State from 2004-06.  After being away from football for two years, Reid went to the University of Mary in Bismark, N.D., to finish his eligibility, earning all-Northern Sun accolades in 2009 with the Marauders. After playing defensive end for Mary, Reid is expected to play defensive tackle for the Rams.  Reid is expected to next participate in the Rams organized team activities (OTAs) scheduled for May 18.

With St. Louis, Reid will re-unite with former Utah State assistant coach Tom McMahon, currently the Rams special teams coordinator.  McMahon spent 11 seasons with the Aggies, including serving as Reid’s position coach in 2004-05.

McMahon spent 11 total years at Utah State, including eight as a full-time assistant.  Joining the USU staff as a graduate assistant in 1995, coaching defensive ends, McMahon was promoted to full time assistant, coaching linebackers and special teams from 1998-2000 before being named defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator from 2001-05.  McMahon left Utah State in 2005 to join the University of Louisville staff.  After coaching on the Louisville staff for one season, McMahon was with the Atlanta Falcons as assistant special teams coach from 2007-08 before joining the Rams.

McMahon’s nephew, Mike McMahon, is currently the defensive coordinator at University of Mary and also a former USU assistant coach, serving as defensive graduate assistant from 2006-07.  Mike McMahon sent his uncle a tape of Reid, prompting the Rams’ interest in the defensive lineman.

Last season at Mary, Reid posted 31 tackles (13 solo, 18 assists) and was second on the team with 8.5 tackles for loss and ranking third with two sacks, and added one interception.  Reid earned second-team all-NSIC North honors.

At Utah State, Reid made 54 career tackles with 29 in 2006 after posting 25 stops in 2005.  Reid made 14 career starts in 22 games as a defensive lineman, after switching from offensive lineman as a freshman in 2004, starting in four games, two at right tackle and two at right guard.  He posted 6.5 tackles for loss, including one sack, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick.

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