‘Fly, Reagor, Fly.’ TCU receiver Reagor headed to Philadelphia Eagles with 21st pick
TCU’s Jalen Reagor is taking his play-making abilities to the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Eagles drafted TCU’s standout receiver with the 21st overall pick in the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday night. Reagor’s father, Montae, was a defensive linemen for the Eagles in 2007.
Asked about playing for his dad’s old organization, Jalen told Eagles reporters on Thursday night: “It’s a family environment. They love football. They love their Eagles. It’s just a sigh of relief, man, like all this hard work you put in for this moment.
“My whole life I’ve told my people, my family, I’m going to be a first rounder someday. It’s just crazy. I’m so blessed to have it come true, and then what greater organization to go to [than the] Philadelphia Eagles. So, I’m very excited and ready to go.”
Reagor is the third TCU player drafted by the Eagles in the last five years, joining offensive tackles Halapoulivaati Vaitai (2016) and Matt Pryor (2018).
Reagor also gives TCU consecutive first-round picks for the first time since 1960-61 (Jack Spikes and Bob Lilly). Defensive end L.J. Collier was a first-round pick by the Seattle Seahawks last season.
Reagor is expected to make an immediate impact in the passing game, as well as the return game. Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz approved of the selection, writing on Twitter: “Let’s go bro! Welcome to Philly! Big things comin! #flyeaglesfly.”
Reagor is just as excited to play with Wentz.
“I watched him play. I’m like, ‘Wow, this dude is amazing,’ and now he’s my quarterback,” Reagor said. “So, it’s just a surreal feeling, and ultimately, it’s a blessing.”
Hall of Fame receiver and Dallas Cowboys great Michael Irvin felt the Eagles made a solid selection by taking Reagor.
“I was impressed with him,” Irvin said on ESPN. “[Reagor] is a small guy but can go when he gets that football in his hands. He only ran a 4.47 at the combine, but he’s faster than that clock shows.
“The Eagles needed speed and they went and got speed. Reagor is a great fit for the Philadelphia Eagles to go with Carson Wentz.”
Reagor is a versatile receiver who can play outside and inside for the Eagles.
TCU coach Gary Patterson believes Reagor’s best football days are ahead of him, saying his stats didn’t jump off the page considering the program’s inexperienced quarterback play the past two seasons.
“He’s very compact, he’s very strong, so I think he has a higher ceiling. I don’t think he’s reached his potential,” Patterson said on SiriusXM radio. “I’m looking forward to seeing, when he gets to the next level, what they can do with him when he competes against that level of group.”
Reagor closed his college career with 2,248 yards receiving, 22 touchdowns 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).
Reagor led the team with 611 yards receiving and five touchdowns on 43 receptions in 2019. He was a standout returner, being named to three All-America teams after ranking second nationally with a 20.8-yard punt return average.
This story was originally published April 23, 2020 at 10:01 PM.
