Too often we read stories of professional athletes that made millions of dollars, only to watch them burn through it without any planning for the future.

Don’t expect former Alabama DL Jarran Reed to be one of those sob stories.

The second-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks has been prepping for this moment for many years.

According to a report from AL.com’s Michael Casagrande, Reed’s senior project at his North Carolina high school was about this very topic.

Before graduating from high school, Reed wrote a 20-page paper on the Ponzi schemes and other bad investments that lead to NFL stars going broke. Reed proudly says he got an A on the project.

“I know a lot about it, man,” he said the day before he slipped to the second round.

Reed will put that knowledge he received in his research to the test with a smaller amount of money than he likely entered the draft expecting to receive.

Though he was believed to be a potential first-round pick by many NFL Draft analyst, he slipped well into the second round. A drop off that is likely to cost Reed several millions.

He’s undeterred, and seems to have a very grounded approach to his new-found riches.

“You’ve got to be smart with your money, man,” Reed said. “Just put it away. There’s nothing you need that’s more than food and groceries and clothing. All the material things can wait. Right now, it’s just staying focused on playing ball.”

Well said, Jarran. We wish more SEC football alumni would take your careful approach.