I can imagine Harris/Section 31 looking at a long list of young Starfleet officers to recruit and watching them. They would scratch out the popular and brash young officers. Then they saw young Malcolm, quiet, studious, rather nerdy and liked to keep to himself, but brilliant in tactical and weaponry subjects. Perfect candidate.
In one of the IDW comics based on the nuTrek characters, Section 31 tried to recruit Hikaru Sulu, whom I think has rather similar qualities to Reed.
In one of the IDW comics based on the nuTrek characters, Section 31 tried to recruit Hikaru Sulu, whom I think has rather similar qualities to Reed.