TCU sees two players go in the first round of the NFL draft, first time in 81 years
TCU football had multiple first-round picks in the NFL draft back in 1939 when a fella named Davey O’Brien was one of three players selected.
Well, it’s taken 81 years for the Horned Frogs to produce multiple first-round picks again, but it happened on Thursday night.
TCU wide receiver Jalen Reagor went 21st overall to the Philadelphia Eagles, and cornerback Jeff Gladney was taken 31st overall by the Minnesota Vikings.
TCU now has 16 first-round picks in its history, including seven under coach Gary Patterson. Patterson also now has produced 50 NFL Draft selections.
The Horned Frogs snapped a 59-year drought, too, of not having first-round picks in consecutive years. They accomplished that feat when Reagor was taken as defensive end L.J. Collier was a first-round pick by the Seattle Seahawks in 2019.
The last time that happened was 1960 and 1961 with Jack Spikes and Bob Lilly.
TCU went into the draft believing it could have as many as three first-round selections, but defensive tackle Ross Blacklock won’t hear his name called until Friday.
Reagor landed in a favorable situation, going to an Eagles organization that his father Montae played for in 2007. Reagor is expected to make an immediate impact.
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 touchdowns in his career.
His 22 career receiving touchdown receptions are tied for second-most in TCU history, trailing only Josh Doctson’s 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.
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).
Gladney, meanwhile, landed in a great situation with Vikings head coach and defensive guru Mike Zimmer.
Gladney, despite being only 5-foot-10, has been described as a “junkyard dog” for his feisty playing style that made him a favorite among NFL evaluators.
This is a guy who had 15 passes defensed in each of the past two seasons. He finished his college career with 43 passes defensed, five interceptions and six tackles for loss.
Gladney will join former TCU teammate and offensive tackle Aviante Collins on the Vikings. Gladney is the first TCU player selected by Minnesota since defensive tackle Shawn Worthen and wide receiver Cedric James went in consecutive picks in the fourth round of the 2001 draft.
The NFL draft continues on Friday night with the second and third rounds. (And for those looking for a prediction on Blacklock, expect him to go to the Houston Texans with the 40th overall pick.)
This story was originally published April 23, 2020 at 11:51 PM.
