Hailing from Martin Luther King Jr. High School in Detroit, Michigan, four-star safety Jaylen Reed is expected to make his college choice on April 9, tomorrow.
He currently ranks out as a top player at his position, no matter where you look:
247Sports has him as the 10th-best safety nationally and 231st-best prospect overall
Rivals has him as the 10th-best safety nationally and 233rd-best prospect overall
ESPN has him as the 235th-best prospect overall
All three services declare him as a four-star prospect and 247Sports’ composite ranks him 10th at the position and 237th nationally.
He stands at six feet tall and checked in at 190 pounds and has at least 33 scholarship offers. Despite that, he’s narrowed it down to Georgia, Penn State, Michigan State and your USC Trojans.
The recruiting services offer crystal ball projections and analyst predictions — and unfortunately for USC — those are pointing towards Michigan State and new head coach Mel Tucker landing his first commitment as the lead man of the Spartans.
247Sports National Recruiting Analyst compares Reed to Antoine Bethea, writing in his evaluation that he projects as a Day 3 prospect in the NFL draft:
Well-built prospect but not quite as long or tall as other high-end safety prospects. What stands out about him is his consistent ability to make plays. Can go into the box and is excellent in run support because he is smart, instinctive and tough. Willing to put his nose in the action and take on blocks. Solid in man to man coverage but instincts allow him to jump routes in zone. Can still improve his pure speed and man to man technique. Can project a lot of ways. Nickel or an overhang in certain systems seems most likely. If put in the right position, he will be extremely productive in college and have an opportunity to play a similar role beyond college because of his skill set.
Originally set to commit on May 10, he apparently couldn’t wait any longer so here we are, with him announcing his commitment tomorrow.
We’ll be following along as he make his college choice but until then, enjoy his highlights above and hope he dons a #FightOn hat tomorrow.