Michigan State's Jayden Reed grew up a Bears fan but is 'ready to be a Cheesehead' in Green Bay
Jayden Reed wouldn’t normally answer his phone when a SPAM RISK warning flashes. But Tuesday night, the second night of the NFL Draft, was different for the graduated Michigan State wide receiver.
He ignored the warning on a hunch, answered the phone, and was soon glad that he did. The Green Bay Packers were on the other end of the line and informed him that he had become their selection with the 50th pick, taking Reed 19 picks into the second round.
Reed received the call with family members at his mother’s home in Naperville, Ill., with his grandmother and aunt nearby, and long-time friend and Michigan State teammate Payton Thorne in the house as well.
“It was a surreal moment,” Reed said during a conference call with media shortly after being drafted. “It took a long time for me to process it. I couldn’t believe it. I am still processing it at this moment. It’s really just a blessing to be here and have this opportunity. I’m highly grateful and thankful for everything that it took to get here.”
Reed knows all about the franchise that drafted him, although from a different perspective.
“Yes, I grew up a Bears fan,” Reed said.
The Bears and Packers have the oldest rivalry in the NFL, having played a league record 206 times.
“I mean I’m from Chicago,” he said. “That’s all I really knew. But I’m a cheesehead now. I’m ready to work and put in whatever work it takes to beat any team down, including the Bears.”
Reed said he heard from Michigan State teammates in recent days.
“Kenneth Walker texted yesterday,” Reed said. “Jalen Nailor texted me yesterday. Payton Thorne is with me. All those guys are keeping in touch and making sure I have the right mindset and keeping my spirits high so I can’t appreciate them enough.”
Reed is the highest Spartan wide receiver drafted since Devin Thomas was selected in the second round (No. 34 overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft by Washington.
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As a senior in 2022, playing through a back injury sustained in the second game of the season, Reed ranked second on the team in catches (55), receiving yards (636) and touchdown catches (5).
He led the Big Ten in punt returns with his 8.8-yard average (13 returns for 114 yards).
As a junior in 2021, Reed was named first-team All-America as an all-purpose player by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).
Reed said his contact and discussions with the Packers were limited prior to the draft.
“I had two Zooms with the Packers,” he said. “One with the special teams coordinator and I talked to the receivers coach. That was a few weeks after (Michigan State) Pro Day. That was the only time I communicated with them. I had no formal meetings with them. Man, I received a great phone call from them today and that’s all that matters.”
What did the Packers say they like about him?
“Really, my versatility, my mindset,” Reed said. “They showed me a few clips of me at the (NFL) Combine, catching the ball and finishing through. That’s what separated me and that’s what they’re going to get.”
