Defensive Gem Former Penn State Standout John Reid Joins the Minnesota Vikings
John Reid, a cornerback, was acquired by the Minnesota Vikings after the Atlanta Falcons placed him on waivers. After appearing in three games with one start for the Tennessee Titans in 2022, Reid, a former standout at Penn State, signed a reserve/futures contract with Atlanta.
In the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans picked Reid. Reid, a four-star recruit out of high school, struggled with injuries for most of his State College career but excelled throughout his five years in college. Reid, who partnered with former Penn State head coach Bill O’Brien, found Houston to be an intriguing fit.
With Penn State, Reid participated in 48 games overall. One hundred twenty-five tackles, 9.5 TFLs, and seven interceptions were all made by him. Before his 2017 knee injury, Reid has 7.5 yards of punt return experience. Reid was named one of the best overall sleepers in the 2020 draft class by Pro Football Focus.
For them that season, he played in 13 games with one start. In 2021, he started two of the 11 games he participated in for the Seattle Seahawks. Reid has combined for 30 tackles (23 solo) and three passes defended in 27 games (four starts) during his NFL career.
Reid struggled with injuries for most of his State College career before entering the NFL, but he excelled during his five years in school.
With Penn State, Reid participated in 48 games overall. He had seven interceptions and 125 tackles, including 9.5 for loss. Before his 2017 knee injury, Reid has 7.5 yards of punt return experience.
Before the 2020 NFL Draft, Reid admitted to Draftwire that he had specific objectives. “I was looking to display my quickness. I wanted to demonstrate my transitions and my fluidity as an athlete. During the on-field drills, I tried to flip my hips to demonstrate my ability to move smoothly to the teams. I have been taking the tests for the combination my whole life. My dad and I used to build up a makeshift mini-combine in our backyard before I even started high school (laughs). I was confident in my testing skills. I was hoping people would notice my footwork and football skills.
Reid’s time at Penn State ended on December 28 in the Cotton Bowl against Memphis, winning 53-39. In the victory, he made three tackles and intercepted a pass.
After the game, Journey Brown of Penn State remarked, “(the seniors) set a standard for us, they showed us the way, and we will mentor to that standard, what they did for us.” “And when the freshmen come in, we look forward to passing it down to the young guys and keeping that Penn State football standard.”
Reid, a former four-star recruit from St. Joseph’s Prep in Philadelphia, was the No. 156 player overall and the No. 18 cornerback in the Class of 2015. He was also Pennsylvania’s fourth-best player overall.
