Eli Drinkwitz reveals 'interesting dynamic' with Marcel Reed's sister during A&M-Mizzou week

As Missouri prepares for a conference game against Texas A&M and Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed this weekend, the Tigers have locked one of their own out of the practice fields.

Briah Reed, an assistant director of on-campus recruiting for the Tigers, is the sister of the Aggies quarterback.

“It’s created an interesting dynamic. At the end of the day that’s her brother and that’s her blood, and we know that she’s doing her job here,” Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz said. “But family is always so important and so we don’t want her to be in any type of conflict of interest. In fact I just saw her in the hallway just a second ago. But I’m not letting her in the copy room and she’s sure not going to have her eyes on the scouting report.”

In college football, when any small thing can provide an edge, Drinkwitz is making sure there are no double-dealings involving Marcel Reed.

He was asked pointedly on Wednesday during an SEC teleconference call if he was being serious about Briah Reed not being allowed at practice.

“No I wasn’t joking. No, Briah is awesome. I actually didn’t even know until after the Florida game that that was her brother,” Drinkwitz said. “If she wants to go to practice I’m sure she could be out there probably same as the media, first five periods.”

Teams typically don’t show anything related to scheme in those first few periods, so Drinkwitz’ move to restrict practice access is a very real one.

Again, anything to get — or prevent an opponent from gaining — an edge, right? Even Texas A&M coach Mike Elko joked about the dynamic with Marcel Reed.

“I was hoping maybe she could get out to practice and find some secrets for us,” Elko said Wednesday. “Nah, I’m kidding, of course. That would be crossing the lines. But I think it’s a football family that Marcel is a part of. Obviously his dad has been involved in college football for a long time, his sister is involved in it and Marcel now is coming into his own as well.

“I think you just kind of remind yourself that sometimes there’s a lot of family ties in this game.”

Drinkwitz had some high praise for Marcel Reed, the freshman quarterback who has taken over for the injured Conner Weigman.

“Marcel has done an excellent job stepping in for Conner and has really good command of the offense,” Drinkwitz said. “You can tell on the road at Florida the game wasn’t too big for him. Handled everything well, made plays with his feet and with his arm and has just continued that in the fourth quarter, biggest drive, third down, executing the run calls.”

Weigman, for the record, will be a game-time decision on Saturday with a sprained AC joint in his shoulder. He has missed the previous three games with the injury.

Marcel Reed has gone 43-of-79 passing for 585 yards, with six touchdowns and no interceptions. He has also run for 230 yards and two touchdowns.

Missouri and Texas A&M will meet at noon ET on Saturday, with a broadcast slated for ABC.