Troy Reeder

Early life

Reeder grew up in Hockessin, Delaware, and attended Salesianum School, where he played football and lacrosse. In football, Reeder was named first team All-State (second straight season) at linebacker and the Delaware Defensive Player of the Year after making 96 tackles (60 solo) with 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and three fumbles recovered and first team All-State at running back after rushing for 1,154 yards and 18 touchdowns as the Sallies won the DIAA state championship. In lacrosse, Reeder was a three-time first team All-State selection and three time state champion. He originally committed to play the sport collegiately at North Carolina, but de-committed during his senior year as interest from football programs increased. Rated a four-star prospect by ESPN.com and a three-star recruit by Rivals, Scout, and 247Sports, Reeder committed to play college football at Penn State over offers from Miami, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Boston College, Rutgers, and Delaware.

College career

Reeder began his college career at Penn State, redshirting his freshman year. He became the starting middle linebacker for the Nittany Lions the following season after Nyeem Wartman-White suffered a season-ending injury in the season opener against Temple. He finished the season with 67 tackles (fourth-most on the team), including 5.5 for loss, and an interception in 12 games played (11 starts) and was named to the Big Ten Conference All-Freshman team. Shortly after the end of the season, Reeder announced he would be transferring to the University of Delaware.

Reeder immediately entered the Blue Hens starting lineup at outside linebacker and was named second team All-Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) after recording 63 tackles (4.5 for loss), one sack, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery along with two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown in his Delaware debut against Delaware State, and a blocked kick. He was named first team All-CAA as a redshirt junior after leading the team with 89 tackles (seven for loss), an interception, three pass breakups, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a blocked kick. In his final collegiate season, Reeder led the CAA with 131 tackles and 13.5 tackles for loss and was again named first team all-conference.

Personal life

Reeder is the son of former Delaware and Pittsburgh Steelers running back Dan Reeder. His mother Cheryl played basketball at Elizabethtown College and was a member of the 1982 team that won the Division III national championship. His younger brother Colby was also a standout two-way player at Salesianum and played linebacker at Iowa State University after transferring from Delaware. Colby's commitment to play football at Delaware was a factor in Troy's decision to transfer there from Penn State.