TCU’s Jalen Reagor to enter NFL Draft, forego senior season
TCU star wide receiver Jalen Reagor is turning professional, ending his college career with one year of eligibility left.
Reagor posted the news of being an early entrant in the 2020 NFL Draft on social media on Monday, three days after TCU’s 20-17 loss to West Virginia.
He thanked Horned Frogs coach Gary Patterson and wide receivers coach Malcolm Kelly. He added that his dream has always been to play in the NFL after watching his dad, former NFL defensive lineman Montae Reagor, win a Super Bowl championship with the Indianapolis Colts in 2006.
“First and foremost, I want to thank TCU and coach Patterson for giving me the opportunity to get an education and play football at the highest level,” Reagor wrote. “Coach P, coach Kelly and many others at TCU have helped me develop a mental and physical toughness that will help me for the rest of my football career. The relationships I have built at TCU will be lifelong friendships and I am so proud to have been a part of such a great university and football program.
“From the time I was 8-years-old and got to see up close my dad win a Super Bowl with the Colts, I knew I wanted to play in the NFL and win a championship. After much prayer and discussion with my family, I have decided to forego my remaining eligibility and enter the NFL Draft. I am looking forward to contributing at the next level the work ethic and leadership that have been taught to me my entire life, and which I am so thankful for.
“Go Frogs!”
Reagor had a disappointing junior season as TCU struggled in the passing game with true freshman quarterback Max Duggan.
But NFL Draft analysts don’t appear overly concerned about Reagor’s down season and still view him as a potential first-round pick.
“Honestly, not much has changed since the summer,” The Athletic’s draft analyst Dane Brugler said. “I still think he’s a late first, early second, depending on what type of receiver teams are looking for in that range.
“Terrific athlete with professional make up. Inconsistent ball skills but a playmaker with the ball.”
Reagor led the team with 611 yards receiving and five touchdowns on 43 receptions this season. He did his most damage in the return game with two punt returns for TDs, including a 70-yarder against West Virginia.
Reagor ranks first in the Big 12 and third nationally with 312 punt return yards, and is second in punt return average (20.8 yards) behind Alabama’s Jaylen Waddle (24.9 yards).
Reagor closes his college career with 2,248 yards receiving, 22 TDs and 148 receptions, highlighted by a 1,000-yard season as a sophomore in 2018. Reagor also rushed for 324 yards and two TDs in his career.
His 22 career receiving TD receptions are tied for second-most in TCU history, trailing only Josh Doctson (29).
But this season was frustrating for Reagor. He entered with dreams of winning the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver, but he doesn’t rank among the top 10 receivers in the Big 12 in receiving yards or receptions.
Reagor earned Big 12 co-special teams player of the week honors following the Kansas game in which he returned a punt 73 yards for a TD.
As a receiver, though, Reagor topped the 100-yard mark just once, hauling in seven catches for 128 yards at Oklahoma State. He had three games in which he recorded just one reception (Kansas, Baylor and Oklahoma).
Reagor leaves as one of the most electric playmakers in school history. He dazzled at times during his college career, memorably taking a 65-yard TD on a jailbreak screen last year at Baylor.
With Reagor bolting the program early, TCU will have to hope one of its younger receivers emerges as a No. 1 option. Sophomore Taye Barber ranked second on the team in receiving last season, finishing with 372 yards on 29 receptions. But Barber failed to record a receiving TD.
Sophomore Te’Vailance Hunt is the only other receiver to top the 300-yard mark, finishing with 308 yards and one TD on 20 receptions. Tight end Pro Wells emerged as a red-zone threat, tying Reagor for the team lead with five TD receptions.
But the story of the day is Reagor pursuing his professional dreams.
He’ll join other NFL Draft hopefuls from TCU, along with a senior class that features right tackle Lucas Niang, cornerback Jeff Gladney and running backs Darius Anderson and Sewo Olonilua, among others.
As far as other possible early entrants, junior defensive tackle Ross Blacklock could explore pursuing a professional career as well. Sources indicate that Blacklock has yet to make a decision and is still discussing his options with his family.
This story was originally published December 2, 2019 at 1:00 PM.
