Going into the 2024 football season, Nittany Lions Wire will dive into each scholarship player listed on the Penn State roster. Over the preseason, each profile will cover the player’s background, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for James Franklin this season.
The safety position is one of the position groups that is returning most, if not all, of its production from a season ago. Jaylen Reed seems to be one of the leaders of the group, along with Kevin Winston Jr. Reed is entering his fourth season with the Nittany Lions and should once again have a firm hold on a starting safety position. A season ago, he was fifth on the team in tackles (46) and tied for the team lead with two interceptions.
Preseason Player Profile
Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Hometown: Detroit, MI
Height: 6-0
Weight: 208
Recruiting rankings
Detriot Free Press
Class of 2020: 4-stars | No. 9 in Michigan | No. 18 overall safety
Class in 2024: Senior
Penn State has been fortunate to lure some good talent out of the state of Michigan in recent years under head coach James Franklin. The signing of four-star safety Jaylen Reed was a big victory for the program. He came in and became a big part of the secondary, resulting in a breakout year in 2023.
Reed signed with Penn State in the early signing period for the Class of 2020 and enrolled the following May. He committed to Penn State over offers from Arkansas, Cincinnati, Georgia, Florida State, Florida, Nebraska, Michigan State, Tennessee, USC, and many more.
Career Stats
Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports
| Games | Solo | Total | TFL | Sacks | INT | |
| 2021 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 13 | 23 | 31 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 13 | 32 | 46 | 4.0 | 1 | 2 |
Reed saw a small amount of playing time during the 2020 season as a true freshman. Reed appeared in eight games during the COVID-shortened season as Penn State battled through numerous roster concerns during the nine-game season.
Reed started all 13 games for the Nittany Lions in 2023 and became one of the better safeties in the conference. His best game by far was against Indiana, where he racked up eight tackles, an interception, and a TFL. He will once again be a vital piece for Tom Allen’s defense in 2024.
Depth Chart Overview
Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Last season, Reed stepped up in Ji’Ayir Brown’s free safety role after he moved on to the NFL. Penn State lost a couple of cornerbacks to the NFL (Daequan Hardy and Kalen King), and Keaton Ellis signed as a UDFA, but both projected starters are back with the Nittany Lions. Reed is the projected starting free safety alongside Kevin Winston Jr.
Miscellaneous info
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Follow Reed on X and Instagram: @JaylenReed20 (X ), jayyreed20 (Instagram)
Fun Fact: Was a two-sport athlete in high school with football and track. Reed ran the 110-meter hurdles.
More player profiles
Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Other Penn State safeties: Kevin Winston Jr.
