By Andy Walter

NEWARK — Colby Reeder is on his sixth preseason football camp at Delaware.

But even after going through that many of them, this one is a little different for the veteran linebacker.

For one thing, Reeder is healthy — a rare occurrence for him in his collegiate career.

And for another thing, he’s playing middle linebacker for the Blue Hens. Who says you can’t teach at an old dog new tricks?

“It keeps you on your toes,” Reeder said with a smile. “It’s never boring when you’re constantly moving around, playing different positions. But I think it’s made me play a wide range of skill sets.

“I kind of have an idea of what everyone is doing. It’s pretty interesting. It’s fun, though.”

The Blue Hens are hoping that this is the year when health, experience and opportunity all finally come together for Reeder.
The former Salesianum School standout has clearly paid his dues.

It’s been four years since Reeder was named ECAC All-East Defensive Rookie of the Year as a redshirt freshman. A serious back injury robbed him of the 2019 season.

When Reeder took the field at Delaware State last spring, it was the first time he’d played in an actual game in 869 days.

Reeder’s dad, Dan, the former UD fullback, says Colby made the trip to Philadelphia 250 times to work with physical therapists.

“It’s been a long journey,” said the elder Reeder.

But with Reeder moving inside after playing outside linebacker most recently, coach Danny Rocco said his biggest job right now is getting down the mental skills of playing the position. Reeder has also played on the defensive line for Delaware and was a safety in high school.

After the Hens practiced in Delaware Stadium on Saturday morning, Rocco said that Reeder has made himself a more “technically sound” linebacker.

“Last spring, because of the transition, the injury and just the timing of everything, he was a little more just an athlete out there playing on defense,” said Rocco. “He was just kind of making plays with his athleticism and his physicality.

“Now he’s really honed in a lot better on the actual techniques, the key reads and the reactions that go into playing the position. That’s helped immensely. He’s fitting things correctly.”

Coming off the injury, Delaware used Reeder only in limited roles during the spring, said Rocco. Reeder collected 17 tackles in five games.

Rocco said that Reeder is now “healthier” and “more educated” than he was in the spring.

“His brother (Troy) was the standard, the model, on how to play the position,” said Rocco.

Having Troy as a resource is also a pretty good thing for Reeder. Troy, the former Delaware standout, is in his third season with the L.A. Rams.

Reeder said his older brother has really helped him with the mental part of playing linebacker.

“Troy is probably the smartest player I’ve ever played with,” said Colby. “He was all over that stuff. He’s showed me how to watch film, showed me what to think when I see certain formations, when I see certain personnel groupings, what to expect pre-play so before they even snap the ball I have an idea of what they might run.”

Reeder has changed over the last few years.

His blondish hair is now long and wavy. He supposedly hasn’t gotten it cut since the pandemic started.

The Hens would be excited if they got a mix of the old and new Reeder — an athletic linebacker who’s both healthier and wiser. They wouldn’t mind seeing some more of the big plays he made when he was younger.

“I feel good,” said Reeder. “I think we have a lot of guys on our defense right now who can make big plays. And I’m looking forward to seeing it. If everyone makes one big play, then you’ve got 11 big plays and that’s big.”

“I would think in big moments he’ll be at his best,” Rocco said about Reeder. “He’s the kind of guy that can really change the course of a game by going out there and making a play.”

Extra points

Former Smyrna High and UD star Will Knight has apparently found his next football home at Garden City Community College in Kansas. He indicated on his Twitter page that he’s headed to the school. Being at a junior college would allow the running back to be seen by all levels of four-year colleges. “My football recruitment is open for all interests,” Knight posted, along with the hashtag, #JUCOPRODUCT. ... Starting center Mickey Henry said out Saturday’s practice in street clothes. ... Rocco said that blocking tight end Luke Frederick is out with a shoulder injury. ... Sophomore Cade Pribula is now part of the Hens’ top tier of quarterbacks. That group also includes starter Nolan Henderson, backup Zach Gwynn and running specialist Anthony Paoletti.