At NFL combine, TCU receiver aims to run 40 faster than it took to read this headline
TCU receiver Jalen Reagor isn’t the biggest name at the NFL scouting combine.
But there is no one who displays more confidence.
He certainly took Tuesday’s media session by storm for those who hadn’t had a chance to witness him up close and personal.
Why is Reagor a potential first-round draft pick despite performing in relative obscurity for a subpar TCU team the past couple of years?
Because he is a big play waiting to happen. Reagor has the versatility of San Francisco 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel, the speed of Kansas City Chiefs receiver Tyreek Hill and he can jump out of the gym.
At least, that’s the scouting report — according to Reagor.
But NFL.Com Draft Analyst Daniel Jeremiah is reading from the same book.
“One of the things people are trying to find in this draft is your version of Tyreek Hill,” Jeremiah said. “He’s not as fast as Tyreek Hill, but he’s going to run in the 4.3s. He can take the top off coverage. You can use him on the jet sweeps, get the ball to him in the flat and just let him go. He can play over the top.”
Reagor said he also plans to run the fastest time in the 40-yard dash at the combine with a high 4.2- or a low 4.3-second clocking.
After recording 72 catches, 1,061 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore in 2018, Reagor had 43 catches for 611 yards and five touchdowns as junior last season, before he declared for the draft.
He blamed the drop in the production on the unstable shuffling at quarterback as they could never get in a rhythm.
But his athleticism, talent and potential are undeniable and NFL teams are taking notice.
He has had 15 formal interviews so far at the combine, including meetings with the 49ers, Seahawks, Broncos, Steelers, Giants, Jets and Eagles.
Here is a snippet of Reagor, in his own words, at the NFL scouting combine:
Is there a player you compare yourself to?
I kind of like Deebo Samuel. So, him, Stefon Diggs, and probably Tyreek Hill.
What separates you?
My versatility. I play running back. I played a little bit of quarterback. I’m a little bit of a return specialist. So, I can pretty much do it all.
Where do you need to get better?
Everywhere. I can develop my game everywhere: routes, hands, attacking the ball, blocking. So, I feel like my ceiling is very high.
What is the most underrated aspect of your game?
Just me being able to do everything like every other receiver. People may look at my size (5-foot-11, 195 pounds) ... or my wingspan, or my catch radius, but I feel like I can do everything as good as everybody else.
Does that put a chip on your shoulder?
Absolutely. That’s how I play.
Were you surprised you didn’t get much chance to create yards after catch at TCU last year?
It was surprising, but I felt like it was time to show my real character and show that I can lead without the ball, I was getting the ball 12 times a game. So, I just felt like it was showing teams what I could do without the ball.
Do you feel like the QB play limited you last year?
I wouldn’t say it was limited. I would say it was just rhythm. ... You have to have rhythm with your quarterback, and it was hard to get on track sometimes.
What is it about Tyreek Hill that you like and see in your game?
He can take the top off a defense anytime and then return specialist. I watch Tyreek Hill every day. Every day.
Have you spoken to him?
I haven’t. But hopefully I will after I run my 40.
You have hops while that isn’t the signature trait of Tyreek Hill.
Me being a smaller receiver, I can still be a deep threat because I can jump out of the gym. So, I just feel like that just elevates my game.
Do you feel like you can blend slot and vertical routes?
Absolutely. I’m a vertical guy. I can run any route. But I’m a smaller guy. So, getting in there behind those linebackers. I feel like it can be a good advantage.
Do you feel like there are false narratives about your skill set?
Because I feel like my sophomore year a lot of this talk only came when I had concentration drops. So, I feel like people look at my stuff and they’ll be like they’ll say more about it than anybody else. So, I just feel like people they just -- like I said, I’m underrated. So, that’s fine.
So are the concentration drops a matter of trying to make a play?
Absolutely. Absolutely.
How many teams have pointed out that you played exclusively on the right side?
Every one of them.
What do you say to that?
That’s where our offense primarily wanted me to be. I can play. I know the whole offense: X, Y, H, Z. So, wherever I needed to be, I could play it.
How would you describe yourself?
Big play waiting to happen. Very versatile. I can make something happen in situations that you might not think I can. I’m going to make an immediate impact wherever I go.
How much distance do you need to make someone miss?
You can be as close to me as this mic and I’ll make someone miss. And being a returner is about making the first guy miss.
How can your speed change the game?
Just being able to take the top off the defense every play. I’m a big play waiting to happen. I can separate at will, get off press coverage, and I can make an immediate impact.
What the best you have ever run?
Laser, the best I ever ran was 4.34.
Who is the best young player at TCU we’re not talking about?
Taye Barber. When I was down, that was the guy. So, he’s a good receiver, about the same build, maybe a little bit smaller. But he’s a versatile guy and can do everything.
Does he remind you of you?
He does. Very good player.
This story was originally published February 26, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
