And in the 5th Round of the 2018 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers took CB D.J. Reed out of Kansas State.
“I’m a playmaker…” Reed said. “I feel like my film, my stats, speak for themselves. I’ve got a big chip on my shoulder, being a fifth-round draft pick. Being a fifth-round draft pick, I honestly feel disrespected but I’m blessed the 49ers picked me up and I’ve got a lot to prove still.”
Reed has had a lot to prove generally during his football career thus far.
“Yeah, my college process wasn’t easy to say the least,” Reed said. “I walked on at Fresno State, had zero offers out of high school. I left Fresno State, went to Juco at Cerritos Community College. I played for them for a year and I was fortunate to get out, had a lot of offers. Committed to Kansas State. My first year at Kansas State, I got First-Team All-Big 12, defensive newcomer of the year, led the conference in pass breakups. Coming back my next year I was Second-Team All-American at corner, punt return, kick return, First-Team All-Big 12.”
In 2017, he had 47 tackles, four interceptions and nine pass break-ups, as well as averaging 34.2 yards on kickoff returns. Reed is 5’9″ and 188 pounds, leading one to believe nickel, and potentially special teams, will be his areas of expertise.
“I mean, you just watch my film, I’m a lock-down corner first and foremost,” said Reed. “I don’t get scored on and then I get interceptions, I get my offense the ball and I’m a physical tackler. I create turnovers, which is the main thing, and I also do very well in kick return, punt return. So I mean, I feel like I’m the whole package. I’m an athlete, really.”
Athletes are good, especially on football teams. Let’s see how this one plays out.