Jayden Reed, a standout wide receiver with the Green Bay Packers, carved a notable path during his college football career. At first, Reed’s stint in the MAC left more to be desired. But after his stop in the Big Ten, it was clear his resilience, talent, and dedication to excelling at the highest level of college football would pay dividends.
Jayden Reed’s Electric College Underdog Story Starts in Kalamazoo
Reed was born on April 28, 2000, in Aurora, Illinois, and attended Naperville Central High School. During his high school career, he quickly established himself as a playmaker with his speed, hands, and route-running ability. Reed was a three-star recruit by most recruiting services, and although the major Power Five programs didn’t heavily recruit him, Western Michigan saw his potential and offered him a scholarship.
Reed’s first collegiate season came at WMU and he made an immediate impact as a freshman, doing so by winning all over the field.
MORE: Romeo Doubs’ Intoxicating Rise: From Hidden Gem to Unstoppable Playmaker
During the 2018 season, Reed showcased his versatility and ability to make plays in various situations. He appeared in all 13 games and posted impressive numbers, catching 56 passes for 797 yards and eight touchdowns. His performance earned him Freshman All-American honors, and he became one of the top freshmen in the country.
His ability to stretch the field as a deep threat and also make plays in the open field quickly made him a favorite target in the Broncos’ offense. Reed’s breakout game came against Miami (OH), where he caught seven passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns, giving a glimpse of the potential he would later fully realize.
Following his successful freshman season at Western Michigan, Reed decided to transfer to Michigan State University in 2019. The decision was rooted in his desire to play at a higher level of competition and rejoin high school teammate and friend, quarterback Payton Thorne.
Due to previous NCAA transfer rules, Reed had to sit out the 2019 season, but the move to Michigan State gave him an opportunity to prepare for the increased competition in the Big Ten with familiar surroundings.
While sitting out the 2019 season, Reed worked on his physicality, route running, and understanding of Michigan State’s offensive system. He built even more chemistry with Thorne and made the most of his time off the field to improve his game, positioning himself to be an impact player upon his return.
It all paid off with a breakout year during his redshirt sophomore season.
Reed’s Breakout Year Stems Two Seasons
In 2020, Reed made his debut for Michigan State. The season was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Reed’s talent shone through immediately. He finished the season with 33 receptions for 407 yards and three touchdowns in seven games.
Although the Spartans struggled during the pandemic-affected year, Reed’s individual performance highlighted his ability to compete at the highest level.
The 2021 season would be Reed’s breakout year at Michigan State, where he fully established himself as one of the top receivers in the Big Ten.
He recorded 59 receptions for 1,026 yards and 10 touchdowns, emerging as a go-to target for Thorne in Michigan State’s improved passing attack. Reed’s performance was instrumental in Michigan State’s resurgence under head coach Mel Tucker, as the Spartans finished with an 11-2 record and a New Year’s Six bowl victory in the Peach Bowl against Pittsburgh.
Reed’s dynamic ability as a receiver was complemented by his skills as a return man. He was one of the most dangerous punt returners in the country, providing Michigan State with crucial field position on several occasions. His ability to contribute in multiple phases of the game made him a valuable asset for the Spartans.
Heading into the 2022 season, Reed was recognized as one of the top wide receivers in college football. He had high expectations to build on his previous season’s success and further improve his NFL draft stock.
Despite battling injuries during the 2022 season, Reed still managed to contribute to Michigan State’s offense, though his numbers didn’t quite match the heights of the previous season.
Reed finished his final season at Michigan State with 55 receptions for 636 yards and five touchdowns. His performance, combined with his previous body of work, solidified his reputation as a versatile and explosive playmaker capable of contributing at the next level.
His college career was marked by perseverance and success as Reed’s journey from Western Michigan to Michigan State highlighted his ability to adapt and excel in different environments. With his combination of speed, agility, route running, and return skills, Reed still presented himself as an underrated player in the NFL Draft.
FREE: Simulate the College Football Season with CFN’s College Football Playoff Predictor
Reed’s college career set the foundation for his NFL stardom and it certainly started off as such, catching eight touchdowns during his rookie season with the Packers.
College Football Network has you covered with the latest news and analysis, rankings, transfer portal information, top players, the college football season schedule, and much more!