Haddon Heights, Temple product Haason Reddick drafted by Cardinals

By Bill Evans

NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Here is what you need to know about the Jersey native and Temple product, who went 13th overall to the Arizona Cardinals, coached by former Temple coach Bruce Arians.

* Name: Haason Reddick.

* Position: Defensive end/linebacker.

* High school: Haddon Heights.

* Graduation year: 2012.

* College: Temple.

* College years completed: Reddick was at Temple for five seasons after walking on in 2012 following a career at Haddon Heights where he was a running back and safety but missed most of his last two seasons with injury. He almost didn't stay with the Temple program, but when former coach Steve Addazio left for Boston College and Matt Rhule came in, Rhule gave Reddick a chance. It paid off for both men.

* College stats: Reddick was second in the American Athletic Conference with 9.5 sacks and led the nation in tackles for loss with 21.5 as a senior. Reddick added a sack and TFL in the Owls' bowl game and he finished his Temple career second in program history in both sacks (18) and TFLs (46) behind Dan Klecko. After standing out at the combine and Senior Bowl, Reddick's stock rose from a potential second-round pick to one of the top picks in the draft. He was one of the fastest rising players in the draft the last few months.

RAPID REACTION

Bill Evans can be reached at bevans@njadvancemedia.com or by leaving a note in the comments below. Follow him on Twitter @BEvansSports.

Bryan Named Coach at Haddon Heights

Rob Bryan was approved as the new football coach at Haddon Heights High School by its board of education Wednesday night, according to athletic director Joe Cramp.

A 2006 Gloucester graduate, Bryan was the Garnets’ defensive coordinator last season under Chris Lina.

Bryan also served as the defensive coordinator at Haddon Township (2013-2015) and Gateway (2010-2013).

The Garnets went 6-4 overall last season, qualifying for the South Jersey Group 1 playoffs. They finished 3-2 in the West Jersey Football League Memorial Division.

Kevin Minnick; (856) 486-2424; kminnick@gannettnj.com

Garnets' Smith: Athlete for all seasons

By Marc Narducci

Because of increased emphasis on specialization, the three-sport athlete keeps diminishing in high school sports.

And that is what makes Haddon Heights senior Nick Smith stand out even more. Not only is he a three-sport athlete, but he's a former four-sport participant.

Smith will open the football season Saturday against Gateway in a Colonial Conference Patriot Division matchup.

The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Smith is one of the most versatile players in South Jersey. And he's also pretty dynamic with the ball in his hands.

"We expect a lot from him," Haddon Heights coach Ralph Schiavo said.

That's because last year the Garnets received a lot.

In earning first-team all-conference honors as a receiver, Smith had 46 receptions for 676 yards and six touchdowns. As a safety he recorded 50 tackles and three interceptions. For good measure, he averaged 33.8 yards per punt.

Not bad for a former soccer player.

As a freshman, Smith opted to play soccer and saw considerable varsity time on a Haddon Heights team that won the Group 1 state title.

"It was definitely a great experience to win a state title and I had a lot of fun with the team," Smith said.

Yet there remained a void. Smith played some organized football growing up and yearned to return to the sport. So he went out for the football team as a sophomore, and was primarily a JV player.

Smith admits it wasn't an easy decision to switch sports.

"It was a tough choice, especially after winning a state championship, but I think I made the right choice," Smith said.

He would get no argument from Schiavo.

"Last year Nick kind of came into his own," Schiavo said. "He was raw and said he played a little football before high school but it took nearly a year and a half for him to get his feet under him."

Smith has been a varsity basketball player since his freshman year. He also participates in track, and last season and won the South Jersey Group 1 title in the long jump. Smith won with a leap of 22-feet, 3.25 inches.

For good measure he finished third in the high jump at an even 6-feet.

The next week, Smith placed third in the state Group 1 meet in the long jump and eighth in the high jump.

Don't tell him that concentrating on just one sport is the best route to go.

"I think all people should pick to multiple sports, just because you might pick up something from a sport that you can bring back," he said.

He gave track as an example. Besides the jumps, he also runs the 100 and 400 meters.

"I do that to try to get me faster and build up my speed for playing wide receiver and it has really helped," he said.

It also helps him develop stamina, which Smith will need plenty of this season. He also could be on the kick and punt return teams. And in practice he has worked as an emergency quarterback.

Still, nothing excites Smith more than doing his specialty.

"There is no better feeling than catching a ball over the middle and having nobody catch you as you run toward the end zone," said Smith, who indicated he'd like to continue playing football in college. "There is nothing like feeling so free."

It's a feeling he experienced countless times last season and is prepared to do so again in the favorite of his four sports.

Pictured and Article Retrieved from : http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/high_school/20150912_Haddon_Heights__Smith_an_athlete_for_all_seasons.html

Heights Alum, Pinckney to Start at QB for Profs — Aug 27, 2015 3:07:54 PM

Heights Alum, Thompson named Preseason All-Big South — Jul 31, 2015 12:23:22 AM

5 Garnets to Play NCAA Football — Jun 28, 2015 2:36:31 PM

Coach Palmer on the ballot of the College Football Hall of Fame — Jun 11, 2015 11:51:57 PM

DeMartini accepts a recruited walk on position at University of Maine — May 26, 2015 10:38:03 PM

2014 Colonial Conference All Stars — May 16, 2015 2:09:43 PM

Pierce to represent Garnets in Taliaferro Game — Mar 30, 2015 3:20:19 PM

2015 Haddon Heights Athletic Hall of Fame — Mar 13, 2015 6:14:10 PM

Heights junior kicking the odds — Jan 27, 2015 7:35:52 PM

Garnets playing NCAA football — Jan 26, 2015 2:53:43 AM

Heights Beats Overbrook, Make Playoffs! — Jan 26, 2015 2:53:39 AM

Garnet Alumni Alex Thompson Making Impact at Monmouth — Jan 26, 2015 2:08:30 AM

Garnets Edge Hawks in 2OT — Jan 26, 2015 2:07:57 AM

GARNETS PLAY EXCITING FOOTBALL — Jan 26, 2015 2:07:18 AM

Inside the Huddle: Kyle Pierce — Jan 26, 2015 12:33:12 AM