University of Minnesota Athletics
Senior linebacker Mario Reese
10/11/2006 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Mario Reese doesn’t usually say too much, but when he does, people take notice. It is no secret within the Golden Gopher community that Reese has the deepest voice on the Minnesota football team.
“Most people think I’m just playing around when I talk,” Reese stated. “People think I’m trying to intimidate them, but it’s just my natural voice.”
Linebackers are often some of the most feared men on the football field, as it is a position that requires a combination of superior size and athleticism, and Reese undeniably fits that mold.
If his sheer stature weren’t intimidating enough – Reese stands 6-3, weighs 230 pounds and has the look of a warrior – the deep voice only further enhances his daunting presence. And while he is not one of the most vocal guys in the locker room, Reese uses the deep voice to his advantage and said once he gets on the field he doesn’t hesitate to let the opponent know he is coming.
“I’m not really vocal when it comes to getting the team going and stuff like that,” he said. “But during the game I’m always out there to make sure the guys on the other team know where I’m at.”
As if they need any help.
Reese has become a major factor on the defensive side of the ball over the last few seasons. He is a complete player and a pure all-around athlete who possesses the size, strength and speed to cover a lot of ground and cause the opposition to shy away from his territory.
Reese has played in all but three games during the course of his career and has increased his production every year. His has an impressive stat line that illustrates his comprehensive ability - 107 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, six pass breakups, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Entering this weekend’s game against Michigan, Reese leads the team with two forced fumbles and ranks second in tackles for loss and sacks on the season.
Reese surely possesses all of the physical tools, but his success on the football field is equally as much a result of pure overall effort. He comes to work every day with his only focus on making himself and his teammates better.
“He’s one of those guys who leads by example,” defensive coordinator David Lockwood stated. “He’s an effort guy. He’s always going to give you everything he’s got during practice and then pick it up another level on game days. He plays every down from snap to whistle.”
Reese’s resilience was on display earlier this year in the season opener at Kent State. With the Gophers ahead 14-0 in the first quarter, the Golden Flashes appeared as if they were going to cut into the Minnesota lead when quarterback Julian Edelman found receiver Najah Pruden streaking down the right sideline. Pruden dashed for the end zone, but Reese chased him down and punched the ball out of his hands at the one-yard line before pouncing on it in the end zone, keeping the Gophers’ shutout intact.
“That’s something we preach around here,” Lockwood stated. “You have to keep moving and swarming to the ball and play until the whistle. It was one of those plays where that’s exactly what he did. It just goes to show that anything can happen if you put in the effort.”
Reese’s effort extends beyond the football field and into the classroom as well, where he pointed out his proudest accomplishment – he is on pace to graduate at the end of the semester with a degree in business and marketing education.
“The No. 1 thing we want in our program is for kids to graduate,” Lockwood said. “Mario has taken advantage of all of the resources we have to offer and has put himself in a position to graduate, which is great.”
Reese has used football as a tool to create opportunities for himself. From the time he was five years old, Reese and his brother and kids throughout their neighborhood used to get together every Sunday and play pick-up games outside. No. 48 has aspirations of playing on Sundays again, but he also realizes his degree is something that will only continue to open doors in the future. He said the entire college experience is something he would not trade for anything.
“When I came to Minnesota, it was like a new place,” the Mableton, Ga., native stated. “It was a different atmosphere and I had a lot to get used to, but it’s been a good experience and it’s a great program. And it’s a big school, so you get to meet a lot of new people.”
For those who have met Mario Reese, you know that his intimidating presence quickly fades away. He is a class guy with a humble demeanor who simply lets his actions do most of the talking.
story by Tory Kukowski, athletic communications intern
