Penn State star safety Jaylen Reed declares for the NFL Draft

After four seasons with Penn State football, standout senior safety Jaylen Reed is officially moving on to the professional game. On Sunday, Reed closed his time with the Nittany Lions by declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft.

Reed exhausted his eligibility with the Nittany Lions at the end of last week’s Orange Bowl. FOX Sports NFL insider Jordan Schultz first reported the news on Sunday afternoon. Reed officially announced his decision later in the day.

“Thank you to the Penn State family for taking me in, I will forever cherish my time in Happy Valley and playing in front of 100K Strong,” Reed wrote. “Just a kid from Detroit chasing my dream. With that said, it’s time. I will be declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft.”

Penn State I Love You…💙
It’s my time to chase my dreams, God be with me…🙏🏾 #THE1 #UNO pic.twitter.com/aHvrmtEu5T

— Jay Reed..🦅 (@JaylenReed03) January 12, 2025

Reed finishes his Penn State football career with 181 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and five interceptions over 29 starts and 50 games played.

The Detroit, Michigan, native is coming off his best season as a Nittany Lion. Nearly doubling his production from his junior year, Reed filled a vital leadership role in the Penn State secondary following the season-ending injury to KJ Winston. Reed led Penn State football with 98 tackles in 2024. He was also tied for the most interceptions on the team with three.

Penn State football NFL Draft tracker

© Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Jaylen Reed is the third Nittany Lion defensive back to declare for the NFL Draft, following Winston on December 12 and Jalen Kimber from earlier in the day on Sunday. Reed is the fourth member of the Penn State defense to move on to the NFL.

Outgoing:

KJ Winston, S – declared for NFL Draft on December 12.

Abdul Carter, DE – declared for NFL Draft on January 10.

Jalen Kimber, CB – declared for the NFL Draft on January 12.

Returning:

Drew Allar, QB – announced return on December 16.

Zakee Wheatley, S – announced return on December 23.

Zane Durant, DT – announced return on January 11.

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