J.R. Reed was not taken in the 2020 NFL Draft. But he did not have to wait long to find his NFL home, as shortly after the draft ended, he signed a free-agent deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network.
Being an undrafted free agent likely means low expectations at the next level for Reed. That’s probably just fine for the three-year starter, who didn’t arrive at Georgia with much fanfare either.
Reed began his college career at Tulsa before transferring to Georgia prior to the 2017 season. He sat his first season before emerging as a three-year starter for the Bulldogs, as well as an All-American and a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award for the nation’s top defensive back.
Related: J.R. Reed: What to know about the 2020 NFL Draft prospect
In addition to staring for the Bulldogs, Reed has strong NFL bloodlines. Reed’s father is Jake Reed, a former NFL wide receiver who spent his 12-year career with the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints.
Reed has mentioned how much his dad and the NFL mindset helped prepare him for his time at Georgia.
“My dad was tough on me, too, growing up,” Reed said in 2017. “So, I know that it comes from love and when [Smart’s] coaching, I know he doesn’t mean any harm.”
Reed played a huge role for the Georgia defense in recent years. He was the unquestioned senior leader for the Bulldogs’ this past year. Georgia had the nation’s top rush defense and scoring defense as the Bulldogs once again won the SEC East. He was also a team captain for the Bulldogs.
When speaking at the NFL combine, Reed felt confident that he could help a team in a number of ways.
“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.
Reed has also shown he’s capable of making a huge play when he needs to, such as he did when he made a key fourth-quarter interception against Notre Dame.
Reed has a good amount of experience in Jacksonville, as the Bulldogs were 3-0 in Jacksonville against the Florida Gators with Reed on the field. The Bulldogs had seven players taken in the 2020 NFL Draft, though just one defender.
JR Reed measurables for the 2020 NFL Draft
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 202
40-yard dash: 4.54
Broad Jump: 130 inches
Vertical Jump: 34 inches
More Georgia football stories from the 2020 NFL Draft
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- Kirby Smart calls out opposing coaches for saying ‘it’s better to not go to the SEC because it’s too tough’
- One of the Rolling Stones most beloved songs could’ve easily been about D’Andre Swift
- Solomon Kindley drafted by Miami Dolphins in 2020 NFL Draft fourth round
- San Francisco 49ers select Georgia tight end Charlie Woerner in 6th round of the 2020 NFL Draft
- Detroit Lions select D’Andre Swift in second round of 2020 NFL Draft
- On the clock: Jake Fromm still waiting entering 2020 NFL Draft fourth round
- Arkansas shares awesome video of Sam Pittman celebrating Andrew Thomas and Isaiah Wilson selections
- Rodrigo Blankenship: What to know about the 2020 NFL Draft prospect
- J.R. Reed: What to know about the 2020 NFL Draft prospect
- Social media strongly questions D’Andre Swift snub from first round of 2020 NFL Draft
- Tennessee Titans select Isaiah Wilson in first round of 2020 NFL Draft
- New York Giants select Andrew Thomas with the No. 4 pick in 2020 NFL Draft
- What social media is saying about Andrew Thomas being the top offensive tackle in 2020 NFL Draft
