Reed was selected Big East Defensive Player of the Year in 2001 and Football News National Defensive Player of the Year in 2002. He was a semifinalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award. During his career at the University of Miami, Reed set multiple records. His 110 tackles in 2000 are still tied for first among defensive backs. The Jim Thorpe Award is given to the nation's best defensive player. It is named after the American football player who played only one season in the NFL (1920). The award is presented by the Jim Thorpe Association, which was founded in 1995 by former Jim Thorpe Award winner Jeff Smith. The association's mission is to promote awareness of the benefits of physical activity for people of all ages and abilities, and to increase knowledge about the history of athletics.