JUCO transfer Jarran Reed may flip from Ole Miss to either Alabama or Florida

Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban addresses the media during the winning coach press conference at Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa following Alabama’s 42-14 win over Notre Dame last night in the 2013 BCS National Championship game. (John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports)

In December, three-star defensive tackle Jarran Reed committed to coach Hugh Freeze and Ole Miss. However, even at that point the East Mississippi Community College star admitted that he was still interested in other schools.

National Signing Day is approaching far more quickly than most of these young recruits were ready for, seemingly. All indications are pointing towards Reed going somewhere else for his final two years at school and not Oxford.

The two that have come up time and again in reports are Alabama and Florida.

ESPN.com recruiting expert Greg Ostendorf has reported that coach Nick Saban has, in fact, offered Reed a scholarship to play in Tuscaloosa. However, Reed is under the impression that Saban and his staff are hoping to give his scholarship to a different player.

On the other hand, Florida would love to bring the 6-foot-4, 305-pounder to Gainesville. Starting defensive tackles Omar Hunter and Sharrif Floyd are both set to try their luck at the next level, meaning there is going to be open competition along the defensive line in the spring.

Thus Will Muschamp, an assistant under Saban for years at LSU and with the Miami Dolphins, now butts heads with his former mentor for the services of Mr. Reed.

Ostendorf talks about what Reed brings to the table, especially for Saban:

“Enter Reed, if he chooses Alabama. He’s had the advantage of working out in a college weight room for the last two years, and he’s already surpassed 300 pounds. If he’s not quite Alabama-ready, he has the luxury of being able to redshirt his first year while still having two additional years left to play.”

The recruiting race, based simply on the calendar, may finally be coming to an end for the 2013 cycle. However, with only a few days remaining until Signing Day, the race for the services of a potential star such as Reed has really just begun.

MORE RECRUITING: ESPN National Signing Day schedule

What do you think Gamedayrs?