Georgia safety J.R. Reed finishes NFL combine on explosive note

Georgia safety J.R. Reed arrived in Indianapolis last week looking to change the narrative on his NFL draft stock, and his strong workout might have done just that.

Reed ran a 4.54-second time in the 40-yard dash and showed off some explosive ability with a 10-foot, 10-inch broad jump with NFL teams looking on and evaluating on Sunday.

A Thorpe Award finalist, Reed was as puzzled as anyone in the postseason when he didn’t receive any senior all-star game invites or see his name listed among projected first or second-day NFL draft picks.

“I don’t know why expectations have changed, they haven’t changed in my mind,” Reed said, asked about the perceived lack of interest from teams. “ I’m out here, I truly, firmly know I’m the best safety here.”

From Athens to Indy to the biggest stage - it all starts today for @Jr_Reed1.#NFLCombine #GoDawgs @nfl
📺: Feb 27-Mar 1 LIVE on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/8Z9m4YKVUz
— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) March 1, 2020

The 23-year-old Reed measured in at nearly 6-1 and weighed 202 pounds.

Reed was a three-year starter at Georgia, and he’s confident he can handle whatever roles he’s assigned in the NFL.

“I can do a lot, I can play in the box, I can play the middle of the field, I can come down and cover your best tight end, whatever you want me to do in that secondary I can do,” Reed said.

“I really don’t know why the expectations have changed from around the league … but for me the expectation doesn’t change. The bar is set, the standard is the same.”

Reed said he planned to “blow the testing out of the water,” and while he didn’t do that, he more than held his own.

Reed will get another chance to improve his testing times when Georgia holds its Pro Day on March 18.

Several other UGA players who didn’t get invited to the NFL combine will be there to perform, as well.

Defensive linemen Michael Barnett, Tyler Clark and David Marshall, along with linebacker Tae Crowder, tight end Eli Wolf and receiver Tyler Simmons are all expected to test out.

👀 @Jr_Reed1 #NFLCombine #GoDawgs @nfl
📺: Feb 27-Mar 1 LIVE on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/fydFlbnlpt
— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) March 1, 2020