From walk-on to NFL starter: The persistence of D. J. Reed
In short: D. J. Reed faced a difficult start when he received no college scholarship offers despite his high school success. He navigated a path through community college and multiple transfers to eventually become an NFL starter, proving that persistence can turn a walk-on status into a professional career.
Reed’s journey began with a significant hurdle: despite an impressive high school career at Independence High School—where he was the first student in school history to be named MVP in both football and basketball—he received no scholarship offers. He chose to pursue his goals as a walk-on at Fresno State, but when the coaching staff declined to offer him a scholarship in 2015, he pivoted to Cerritos College. This period of transition is a testament to the 'walk-on' path, where athletes must prove their worth without the initial safety net of institutional funding.
His breakthrough came at Kansas State. As a redshirt sophomore in 2016, Reed began his ascent as a standout cornerback and return specialist, earning first-team All-Big 12 honors. His versatility was immediately apparent; he didn't just defend the pass, but also excelled on special teams, returning punts and kicks for significant yardage. During the 2018 NFL Draft, his diverse abilities caused the San Francisco 49ers to pick him within round five.
Reed’s professional career has been defined by resilience against injury and roster competition. After a stint with the 49ers, he moved to the Seattle Seahawks, where he successfully transitioned into a primary starting role despite missing the first six games of 2020 due to surgery. He later joined the New York Jets in 2022, reuniting with former coach Robert Saleh.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: D. J. Reed
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