D.J. Reed

D.J. Reed's Biography

Dennis Duane Reed Jr., widely recognized as D.J. Reed, was born on November 11, 1996. Known for his prowess as a professional football player, Reed made strides in his career as a cornerback for the esteemed New York Jets, under the prestigious National Football League (NFL). However, his journey to NFL stardom was a path laden with talent, dedication, and an unfading ambition.

Born and bred in California, Reed’s high school years were marked by remarkable achievements. His athletic prowess was first recognized at Independence High School in Bakersfield, where he left an impressive football record. Over the course of his high school football career, Reed amassed six interceptions, five forced fumbles, and a total yard offense of 1,150, completed with 13 touchdowns. His skills, however, were not limited to football alone. Reed also stood out in basketball, becoming the first in his school’s history to land an MVP title in both sports. His amazing run in high school propelled him to take on another chapter of his football career at Fresno State as a Bulldog.

Reed’s time at Fresno State was saturated with dedication and commitment to his sport. He chose to redshirt as a true freshman in 2014. However, eager for more challenges and opportunities, Reed decided to transfer from Fresno State to Cerritos College—an admired community college situated in Norwalk, California. Advancing from high school football to college leagues, Reed’s talent kept on growing. As a redshirt freshman at Cerritos, he showcased a powerful performance in 11 games, culminating in 42 tackles, three pass breakups, and two interceptions.

Yearning for an elevated platform to exhibit his skills, Reed switched campuses yet again, this time landing at Kansas State University. In 2016, as a redshirt sophomore, Reed partook in all of Kansas State’s 13 games exhibiting an exceptional performance both as a cornerback and return specialist. On the defensive end, Reed achieved 75 tackles, 16 pass deflections, and two forced fumbles, whilst also boosting his offensive record by returning nine kickoffs for 255 yards. His hard work bore fruit as he was named to the distinguished 2016 All-Big 12 Conference football team.

As Reed’s college career progressed, his reputation among football enthusiasts started to burgeon. Prior to the 2017 season, he was shortlisted for coveted awards including the Chuck Bednarik Award, the Jim Thorpe Award, and the Bronko Nagurski Award. Despite being plagued by an unfortunate injury, Reed’s performance remained commendable. He appeared in 11 games before being sidelined due to injury, making 47 total tackles, four interceptions, nine pass deflections, one forced fumble and returning 17 kickoffs for 253 yards with one touchdown. Reflecting on his overarching dedication and performance, Reed, once again, was enlisted in the 2017 All-Big 12 Conference football team.

After an illustrious college football journey, Reed declared himself for the 2018 NFL draft. |He successfully made it to the draft and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth round (142nd overall). His second season was a landmark achievement as it led him to Super Bowl LIV, where the 49ers vied against the Kansas City Chiefs, albeit losing 31–20. Overcoming setbacks such as being placed on the active/non-football injury list in July 2020 and then getting waived from the list in August 2020, Reed was claimed by the Seattle Seahawks.

He began his Seattle campaign on the reserve/non-football injury list in September 2020. However, after his activation in October, he proved to be a valuable player. His first-ever interception came in Week 8, during a 37-27 win against his former team, the 49ers. Adding another feather in his cap, he recorded a second interception during Week 15 in a tight victory against the Washington Football Team. Despite the healthy return of Quinton Dunbar, Reed maintained his starting position, reflecting his exemplary performance.

2022 was another year filled with triumph for D.J. Reed. On March 17, he penned a three-year contract worth $33 million with the New York Jets. Just a few months later, on September 12, Reed recorded another interception during a 24-9 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. D.J. Reed’s story is one of grit, determination, and talent—a journey that continues to inspire budding athletes as he scales greater heights in professional football.