It hasn't been an easy transition to defense this year for senior cornerback Trovon Reed.
But with two interceptions in Auburn's last two games, the former wide receiver said he wouldn't have it any other way.
"I love it man," Reed said. "I'm back to having fun playing football."
With Kansas State driving early in the fourth quarter Saturday night, Reed jumped on the end of a Jake Waters pass for his second career interception.
After picking off a pass against San Jose State two weeks earlier, head coach Gus Malzahn has been impressed with Reed so far this season.
"Very proud of Trovon," Malzahn said. "You're talking about a guy that hasn't played defense but for the spring, and then to go out there and play one of the better receivers in college football, and to play him pretty well. I was very impressed with him."
Reed's journey from rarely targeted wide receiver to contributor at cornerback is one he said can only be credited to the man upstairs.
"It's a God thing man," Reed said. "I talk to Quan Bray every time before the game and he tells me that a lot of people don't have the story that we have."
That story is a tragic one, with both players suffering the loss of their mothers.
"We got angels over us," Reed said. "Some people tell you that and you just blow it off, but me and him have been through the same thing with losing our moms. We really do have angels over us."
Reed credits his successful transition with the family he's built in the secondary alongside experienced players such as Jonathon Mincy, Jonathan Jones and Jermaine Whitehead.
"The defensive guys they took me in with no problem," Reed said. "They automatically put me as one of the leaders over there. I just got to play my role."
Additionally, Reed credits Auburn defensive backs coach Melvin Smith with instilling confidence in him at his new position.
"Coach Smith is one of the best to ever do it," Reed said. "He's got so much confidence in me. I always tell him if he's got so much confidence in me, I can't let him down."
That confidence has led to a growing comfort for Reed at a position he's wanted to play ever since he left high school.
"I actually wanted to play it when I first got here," Reed said. "I went to all the All-American games as a corner, just to show them that I wanted to play there. But things didn't go that way."
While his story didn't follow the route he always wanted, Reed said he is trying to fashion his own ending to his story.
"There's an ending to every story and I'm trying to make this one a great ending," Reed said.
Photos from Toomer's Corner after #AUBvsKSU @Mossconception pic.twitter.com/xRW0N1Glr2
-- The Auburn Plainsman (@TheAUPlainsman) September 19, 2014
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