Dexter Reid is not your typical college football player. He doesn't go by any flashy nicknames. He doesn't like to talk about himself. He goes out of his way to credit his teammates and coaches for his success, and lets his play speak for itself.
Despite Reid's humility, plenty of people have taken notice of the junior free safety's outstanding performance for a North Carolina team that will travel to Charlottesville to battle the Cavaliers on Saturday.
Going into this season, Reid was rated the No. 2 safety in the country by The Sporting News, and he has tallied an impressive 82 tackles in six games this year. He currently leads the ACC in tackles per game and is on pace to post more than 150 stops this season.
"I just try to do whatever I can to help the team win," Reid said of his performance this season. "Coach said that I was going to have to play a much bigger role this year because we lost some of those guys up front."
Studying film and preparing for opponents has helped Reid step up his play this season.
"That comes from preparing and studying lots of tape," Reid said of his stellar tackling performance for the Tar Heels. "My hat goes off to a lot of the coaches who help me learn and point things out."
Reid's diligence extends far beyond the film room. He has worked hard to prepare himself physically as well as mentally. The Norfolk native earned "Super Ram" status for his performance in the weight room during the offseason.
The free safety's play this year has been critical for a North Carolina team that fell to 2-4 after losing to N.C. State on Saturday, and is winless in conference play. Reid is by far the dominant defensive force on the squad. Only one other Tar Heel, senior linebacker Marcus Stewart, has half as many tackles (49) as Reid does.
Last year, Reid played a pivotal role in the Tar Heels' victory over the Cavaliers. He snagged an interception late in the game and returned it 67 yards for a touchdown that sealed the victory for UNC.
Reid and his Tar Heel teammates might not have it so easy this time around when they visit Scott Stadium to face a Virginia offense ranked third in the ACC in scoring. The Cavalier receiving corps is stacked with several high-powered weapons including freshman tight end Heath Miller and senior wide receiver Billy McMullen. Reid said he knows what he needs to do if he hopes to contain the senior wideout.
"You have to be physical with him," Reid said on playing against McMullen. "He might try to get to the corner or something and I need to be there to help out."
Reid started all 13 games during his sophomore season and was voted the team's top defensive back. He finished third on the team with 99 tackles, including 67 solo hits.
He managed to play in every game his freshman season as well. At Granby High School in Norfolk, Reid was a first team all-state selection and an honorable mention All-USA today selection.
A North Carolina win this Saturday certainly would sweeten Reid's homecoming and help a struggling Tar Heel squad that has dropped three of their last four games.
Like Al Pacino's character in Reid's favorite movie, "Scarface," the Tar Heel free safety aims to rip his opponents' offense to shreds and help North Carolina bring home their first conference victory of the season.
"As a team, we're always looking to win the ACC; that's number one," Reid said. "But right now, we're just looking for our first ACC win."
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