Super 11: Vero Beach DB Amar Reynolds is the complete secondary package
Continuity is something Vero Beach senior defensive back Amar Reynolds will be seeking in his final high school season.
On his third high school in three years, the Illinois commit has showed flashes of play-making ability during his entire high school career in the secondary that has led to an opportunity to play in the Big 10.
Coming on board to a team with skill all over the field, Reynolds is a member of TCPalm's Super 11 high school football recruits just trying to be one piece of the puzzle to helping Vero reach their potential in 2023.
"I mean, we all just have to work together, play hard and we can go really far, we've got some great players on the team," Reynolds said.
A star emerges
Spending his first two seasons of high school at John Carroll Catholic, Reynolds was still trying to figure out what position fit him best as he continued growing into his body.
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From safety to cornerback, as a freshman Reynolds found a way to contribute totaling 46 tackles and three interceptions before being hampered in his sophomore season by injuries playing only three games.
Transferring to Fort Pierce Westwood for his junior season, Reynolds had another productive season making had 31 tackles and grabbing three interceptions last fall.
At 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, Reynolds plays bigger than his frame with a penchant for delivering big hits but also utilizes his athletic ability to contest passes thrown his way.
Vero Beach head coach Lenny Jankowski sees the entire package in Reynolds as a player who can play a number of different positions in the secondary with the skill set he possesses.
"There's not a lot of guys that can do what he can do," Jankowski said. "He's got length with the long arms, he can handle himself in press coverage, he's very gifted and athletic. He's a physical presence and has great ball skills. He's become a very good practice player, I've seen in his practice habits here, his game has elevates on the daily in front of your eyes and he takes very well to coaching."
Next in line for the Illini
Recruiting for Reynolds began to pick up during his junior season as Florida A&M gave him his first offer in September of 2022.
From there, Charlotte, Middle Tennessee State, Western Kentucky and Indiana were among the programs that also extended offers to Reynolds but an offer from Illinois he received in May stood out.
A program that brought in Vero Beach alum Nathan Guinn in last year's recruiting class as well as Fort Pierce Central's Gabe Jacas was Reynolds' first school he made an official visit to.
Taking his trip to Champaign in June, Reynolds felt that a defense that produced three defensive backs who were chosen in last year's NFL Draft was a great fit for him as he committed to head coach Bret Bielema on June 26.
"It was my first official visit, I felt the love, felt the environment and I feel like I can do big things there," Reynolds said.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Vero Beach DB Amar Reynolds leads with his play on the field
