SE: Reed’s Football Journey Takes Him Back Home, Wildcat Standout Picked by San Francisco 49ers
Apr 30, 2018 | Football, Sports Extra
By Corbin McGuire
D.J. Reed's phone buzzed on Saturday afternoon and the area code was from California. If this was the call, it was from an NFL team in his home state, a poetic entrance into the professional world of football.
Indeed, it was the San Francisco 49ers on the other end. They informed the two-year standout at K-State that they would be selecting him in the fifth round of the NFL Draft, No. 142 overall.
"It's just a blessing," Reed, who will reunite with his former K-State teammate Elijah Lee in San Francisco, said in an interview with KNBR, a radio station in San Francisco. "God works in mysterious ways."
A native of Bakersfield, California, Reed proved many wrong during his simultaneous journey to the NFL and back to his home state.
The 5-foot-9 corner received zero Division I offers out of Independence High School, so he opted to walk on at Fresno State. A year later, he transferred to Cerritos Community College, where he gained some Division I attention. K-State landed the talented ball hawk because they were one of the first to notice him.
"After that," he said, "it was history."
Reed made an immediate impact for the Wildcats. Now, he's extended the program's NFL Draft streak to 25 years, which leads the Big 12 and is tied for the 12thlongest in the nation.
His first season at K-State, Reed was a First Team All-Big 12 pick and the conference's Defensive Newcomer of the Year after recording a league-leading 19 passes defended to go with three interceptions and 75 tackles.
Last season, Reed maintained his dominance at corner while adding in a game-changing boost on special teams.
"Multiple guys in the league these past couple weeks said, 'Move this guy up a little bit,' because of the return ability," ESPN NFL Draft expert Todd McShay said of Reed on Saturday's broadcast.
In a spring football press conference, K-State head coach Bill Snyder applauded Reed's dedication to his "craft" as a corner, adding that his return abilities should increase his chances of making his career in the NFL a long one.
"D.J., in particular, is a guy that is truly focused on his craft and how to do the things and to be fundamentally as good as he possibly can. That really stands out with D.J.," Snyder said, hoping Reed takes some of K-State's core values with him to the NFL. "We've talked so many times about young players that we've had that have been able to maintain their time in the NFL because of some intrinsic values beyond athletic skills. Hopefully that has an impact as well."
Reed, in the local radio interview, raved about his time as a Wildcat. Specifically, he credited his time playing for Snyder for strengthening his mental toughness.
"I've been tough. I grew up tough, but playing at K-State is definitely different because I feel like we work the hardest in the nation," he said. "K-State definitely helped me. I think it helped with my mental toughness the most, just grinding through anything. Even when your body hurts, just making it through.
"Coach Snyder, he also was very influential. He's very disciplined, and I learned that while being at K-State, to be more disciplined with my life outside of football."
Like any confident corner, Reed felt like he should have been picked earlier than the fifth round. But, as he pointed out, it's nothing new. He's been overlooked his whole career.
"It's going to make that chip on my shoulder much bigger," he said. "It's definitely a blessing. I have a lot to prove, so I'm just looking forward to coming in and competing and helping the 49ers out."
More Wildcats are expected to be sign with NFL teams as undrafted free agents. Stay up to date with where they land by following @KStateFBon Twitter.
D.J. Reed's phone buzzed on Saturday afternoon and the area code was from California. If this was the call, it was from an NFL team in his home state, a poetic entrance into the professional world of football.
Indeed, it was the San Francisco 49ers on the other end. They informed the two-year standout at K-State that they would be selecting him in the fifth round of the NFL Draft, No. 142 overall.
"It's just a blessing," Reed, who will reunite with his former K-State teammate Elijah Lee in San Francisco, said in an interview with KNBR, a radio station in San Francisco. "God works in mysterious ways."
A native of Bakersfield, California, Reed proved many wrong during his simultaneous journey to the NFL and back to his home state.
The 5-foot-9 corner received zero Division I offers out of Independence High School, so he opted to walk on at Fresno State. A year later, he transferred to Cerritos Community College, where he gained some Division I attention. K-State landed the talented ball hawk because they were one of the first to notice him.
"After that," he said, "it was history."
Reed made an immediate impact for the Wildcats. Now, he's extended the program's NFL Draft streak to 25 years, which leads the Big 12 and is tied for the 12thlongest in the nation.
His first season at K-State, Reed was a First Team All-Big 12 pick and the conference's Defensive Newcomer of the Year after recording a league-leading 19 passes defended to go with three interceptions and 75 tackles.
Last season, Reed maintained his dominance at corner while adding in a game-changing boost on special teams.
Voted a team captain, the junior averaged 34.2 yards per kickoff return, third in school history and fourth in Big 12 history. On punts, he averaged 14.9 yards a return to rank second nationally and lead the conference. By the end of the season, he had earned Second Team All-America honors as both a returner and a corner.The @49ers are getting an extremely versatile player in @D7_Reed. Hear what the experts said after the selection. ????
— K-State Football (@KStateFB) April 28, 2018
The path is clear.#25Straight #EMAW #KStateFB #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/pzXzpHEZul
"Multiple guys in the league these past couple weeks said, 'Move this guy up a little bit,' because of the return ability," ESPN NFL Draft expert Todd McShay said of Reed on Saturday's broadcast.
In a spring football press conference, K-State head coach Bill Snyder applauded Reed's dedication to his "craft" as a corner, adding that his return abilities should increase his chances of making his career in the NFL a long one.
"D.J., in particular, is a guy that is truly focused on his craft and how to do the things and to be fundamentally as good as he possibly can. That really stands out with D.J.," Snyder said, hoping Reed takes some of K-State's core values with him to the NFL. "We've talked so many times about young players that we've had that have been able to maintain their time in the NFL because of some intrinsic values beyond athletic skills. Hopefully that has an impact as well."
Reed, in the local radio interview, raved about his time as a Wildcat. Specifically, he credited his time playing for Snyder for strengthening his mental toughness.
"I've been tough. I grew up tough, but playing at K-State is definitely different because I feel like we work the hardest in the nation," he said. "K-State definitely helped me. I think it helped with my mental toughness the most, just grinding through anything. Even when your body hurts, just making it through.
"Coach Snyder, he also was very influential. He's very disciplined, and I learned that while being at K-State, to be more disciplined with my life outside of football."
Like any confident corner, Reed felt like he should have been picked earlier than the fifth round. But, as he pointed out, it's nothing new. He's been overlooked his whole career.
"It's going to make that chip on my shoulder much bigger," he said. "It's definitely a blessing. I have a lot to prove, so I'm just looking forward to coming in and competing and helping the 49ers out."
More Wildcats are expected to be sign with NFL teams as undrafted free agents. Stay up to date with where they land by following @KStateFBon Twitter.
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