If you haven’t listened to the most recent episode of Texans All-Access, I strongly advise you to do so immediately on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. John Harris and I had a great time catching up with S Jaylen Reed, and his words should excite every Texans fan about what’s to come.
After an injury-plagued rookie season that featured a standout effort in the Thursday Nite Football victory over the Buffalo Bills, where he led the team with 12 tackles and recovered a fumble, Jaylen is entering Year 2. We had a conversation with him, and it was immediately apparent that this young man was confined.
“Going into year two, after having a year under my belt, definitely helped,” Jaylen said. “My staff and coaches are assisting me in growing into a young man who will assume more responsibility this season. I’m looking forward to it. I’m ready for it. I’m willing to take on the challenge.
Jaylen has a sixth-round chip on his shoulder, which is one of my favorite things about him. He is still perplexed as to how he fell that far in the draft after being an All-American and All-Big Ten player at Penn State. However, he has used it as fuel. “I definitely feel like I was never supposed to go to the sixth round,” he replied. However, I believe that God has intentions for me. And I’ll just keep doing well in that area.”
Prior to our talk, I was unaware that Jaylen watched the Texans in college and modeled his style of play after Jalen Pitre. It was a blessing he did not anticipate when the Texans called his name. “DeMeco always says he wants football players,” Jaylen remarked. “I also think of myself as a football player. It goes beyond simple safety. It’s playing football everyplace on the pitch. Nickel, special teams, defense, whatever the package. I’m confident I can handle everything.
The arrival of Reed Blankenship to the safety room is one of the main narratives leading up to camp, and Jaylen cannot express how much that will impact his growth. “Having guys like that is a blessing,” Jaylen remarked of Blankenship. I truly enjoy that I’m just concentrating on how I can improve and learn from the other guys in my room. Jaylen also praised Stephen Adegoke, the safeties coach, especially his hands-on approach.Jaylen laughed as he told us about the first time Coach Steve put on the pads. I thought to myself, “I really got to tackle you right now?” as I looked at him. Having a coach like that is awesome. It was really quite helpful to me.
I enjoyed Jaylen’s response when I asked him why Detroit produces so many talented football players. “We’re dogs, man,” he remarked. “Detroit’s mindset—it’s a bad city.” Few of us have a lot of positive backgrounds. Thus, a lot of things were built up. We’re prepared. We’re starving. Additionally, I believe that we have the proper mindset to tackle certain issues, particularly in football. We Detroit men are long-lasting in the NFL.”
Jaylen can play at his best when he’s well. That is beyond dispute. In the second year of DeMeco Ryans’ defense, he has a more comfortable scheme, a seasoned coach in Blankenship, and a Detroit hunger that propels him forward.
Make sure to watch the entire interview as well as everything else from the show, such as our analysis of the FIFA World Cup and John’s NFL roundup including Will Anderson Jr. as a possible MVP contender.