Nick Reed Nicholas Matthew Reed ( born September 1 , 1987 ) is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent . Early years . As a senior at Mission Viejo High School , Reed was credited with 65 tackles , 10 quarterback sacks and two fumble recoveries as a senior to earn All - Orange County Region by the Los Angeles Times and defensive player of the year accolades by the Orange County Register . He was also honored as First - team All - CIF Southern Section , CIF Southern Section Division II co - defensive player of the year , South Coast League defensive MVP and received votes on the Long Beach Press - Telegram Best in the West balloting . College career . Reed finished at the University of Oregon with a school - record 29 . 5 sacks , which ranks fourth in Pac - 10 history . His 51 . 5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage also is a school record . He was also a two - time First - team Academic All - American . Reed was an All - American in 2008 after totaling 53 tackles ( 35 solo ) with 20 going for losses and 13 sacks and forcing two fumbles and leading the nation with five fumble recoveries . He was also one of eight semi - finalists for the Lott Trophy and one of six finalists for the Ted Hendricks Award and was First - team All - Pac - 10 . In 2007 , Reed played in and started all 13 games and had 60 tackles ( 30 solo ) and 22 . 5 of them being for a loss . He also had 12 sacks and was a Second - team All - American ( SI . com ) and a First - team All - Pac - 10 selection as well as a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award . In 2006 he played in 13 games and started 10 and had 30 tackles ( 15 solo ) and six went for losses and 3 . 5 sacks . In 2005 he played in 12 games and totaled 5 tackles , three for losses and one a sack . Professional career . Reed was selected in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks . He made the final roster after an impressive performance in his rookie preseason and served primarily as Seattle ' s situational pass rushing specialist . On October 11 , 2009 , he returned a fumble forced by defensive end Lawrence Jackson 79 yards for a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars . Reed also recorded his first NFL sack during that game . On September 4 , 2010 , the Seahawks announced that the team had reached an injury settlement with Reed and that he would be released . On November 9 , 2010 , Reed worked out for the Philadelphia Eagles but was not offered a contract . During the week of November 21 , 2010 , Reed worked out for the Pittsburgh Steelers but was not offered a contract . On January 20 , 2011 , Reed signed a futures contract with the Chicago Bears . He made the team ' s 53 - man roster in the final rounds of cuts on 3 September 2011 . On November 14 , 2011 , Reed was waived by the Bears . On December 13 , 2011 , Reed was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers . On March 22 , 2012 Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced the release of Reed along with teammate Tim Crowder . On May 15 , 2012 , Reed was signed by the Minnesota Vikings to a 2 year contract . On August 31 , 2012 as the Vikings reduced their roster down to league maximum of 53 players , he was released .