Armed with experience, Jaylen Reed pushing, competing this spring

Penn State head coach James Franklin had already mentioned Zakee Wheatley as a spring breakout.

Keeping attention to the safety position, a reporter asked about Jaylen Reed’s development as well. A sophomore coming off a debut season in which the Detroit native made an immediate splash, Reed’s presence in the room demanded a clear distinction.

“Obviously, there’s a difference there,” Franklin said. “Jaylen played as a true freshman. Zakee, we ended up redshirting. But I think right now if you talked to Coach Poindexter and Manny, I think we got four safeties that we think we’re gonna have a chance to play with in the fall, which is good to feel that way right now. And then obviously, we got to get to a point where you have at least five, hopefully six, and those guys playing on special teams and gaining some competence and experience with the guys that we have coming in. So we’ll see how that plays out. 

“But both Jaylen and Zakee are doing some really good things. Jaylen obviously has got more game experience, but Zakee is showing up a bunch right now in practice.”

Jaylen Reed’s first year at Penn State

That game experience was gradual in Reed’s first season at Penn State.

Appearing against Ball State and Villanova during the nonconference schedule, Reed helped alleviate depth issues in the room in late October. Returning to the field in spot duty at Ohio State, Reed followed it with increased reps the next week at Maryland.

Still facing a need at the position, Franklin revealed ahead of the Michigan game that the question of saving Reed’s eligibility wasn’t relevant. With three more regular-season games and a bowl still on the docket, Reed was a go.

“He’s a confident guy. A young man that we got out of Detroit. Very, very confident. Very, very competitive,” Franklin said. “He’s got the body type you’re looking for and the athleticism and speed. He’s played a little bit on special teams, played a little bit on defense. 

“I think you’re gonna see his role continue to grow as the year goes on, especially when it comes to bumps and bruises and injuries that always come up in football.”

By the season’s end, Reed added some special teams responsibilities to his plate. And, more importantly, in the absence of Jaquan Brisker for the bowl, he found himself set up for a heavy rotation against Arkansas. 

One of his playing partners at the position, super senior Ji’Ayir Brown, thought Reed was ready for it.

“Jaylen Reed, he continues to improve and continues to show us his knowledge of the game,” Brown said. “Being so young, you think a young player doesn’t have much knowledge of the game, but he’s advanced for his age and he continues to get better day by day.”

By the time he suited up for the game against the Razorbacks, Reed had improved even more.

Taking shape in the form of a season-high 45 reps, 42 of which came at safety, Reed earned a coverage grade of 78.2 from PFF. It was also his highest grade of the season. 

Next steps for Reed

Having already established his preparedness for the opportunity, Franklin said Reed has a “bright future” with Penn State, the performance set up an offseason that has continued that trajectory.

Starting with a Feb. 10 recognition as a winter workout standout, Reed again earned plaudits from strength coach Chuck Losey. During it, Losey noted the standard Reed is being judged against.

“Jaylen Reed is another young safety for us,” Losey said. “I strategically partnered him up with Ji’Ayir Brown throughout the offseason workouts. And, I think that’s paid dividends for his growth and his development. So I’m excited about Jaylen Reed.”

So too is former playing partner Jon Sutherland.

Now nearing the midpoint of Penn State’s spring practices, the work ethic and enthusiasm for growth has continued.

“Jaylen Reed is a guy who comes trying to be great every single day. He’s gonna push himself and he’s gonna compete. So that’s one thing I love about him,” Sutherland said. “He brings the same thing every day in practice, that work ethic and the hunger to get better.”