By WESLEY HALLMAN / Sports Editor

Briarwood Christian School football standout Kalan Reed verbally committed to play college football at Southern Mississippi University in the fall of 2012.

Reed, a 5-foot-11, 175-pound cornerback, is a rising senior for the Lions.

Reed missed most of his junior season with a torn ligament in his knee. Reed chose the Golden Eagles over interest from several schools and scholarship offers from Samford, Arkansas State and South Alabama.

Reed will join former teammate Cooper Harrington in Hattiesburg, Miss. Harrington, who is also a defensive back, will be a true freshman on the Golden Eagles’ 2011 football team.

Reed is the fourth Shelby County high school football player to make a commitment in the Class of 2012.

Teammate Ben Craft, the Lions’ starting quarterback, verbally committed to play college football at UAB in late July. Chelsea High School quarterback/free safety Jake Ganus also committed to play for the Blazers in late July.

Spain Park High defensive back Justin Carter verbally committed to play college football at Rice University in April.