FOXBORO — Jaylen Reed was thrown into the fire in just his second game with the Patriots.
After safeties Craig Woodson and Dell Pettus left the Patriots’ Week 2 win over the Steelers, Reed was forced into an every-down defensive role and to serve as Mitch Wishnowsky’s punt protector.
Head coach Mike Vrabel liked what he saw from Reed.
“I think Jaylen has done a nice job,” Vrabel said this week. “He’s worked hard. He got put in there – again, we have to be ready to go. He had some plays that were good. He’s helped us in the kicking game. He would go in there at PP (punt protector), that’s not an easy thing to do, so I’m glad that he was prepared and ready to go.”
Reed, who was acquired along with a 2028 seventh-round pick from the Texans for wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, should be thrust into another big role this week with Pettus on injured reserve and Woodson nursing a shoulder injury.
Get to know Reed better off the field in the latest installment of our new Patriots series.
What’s your first football memory to be playing, watching anything?
Probably in my younger years. I think I was 7 years old. Probably just when I caught my first interception. I was in youth Little League. It was a go ball. I was at corner, and they just threw it up. You know how young Little League is. I just caught the ball.
What was your top high school football memory?
Probably the state championship game that I won my sophomore year. And I won defensive MVP.
What was your top memory from Penn State?
Definitely that Rose Bowl, man. I feel like that Rose Bowl. It was crazy. I got hurt in the Rose Bowl, but it was still just a whole good experience the whole week and all that.
What made Penn State special for you?
Really just the coaches that I had around me, and really just the environment that I was in. I was able to focus out there and just focus on football. And Coach (James) Franklin did a good job of just maintaining that and holding in on the process. And just make sure — everybody wanted his guys was focused.
Penn State safety Jaylen Reed, right, forces a fumble by UCLA quarterback Justyn Martin during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
What would you be doing if you weren’t a football player?
I’m really funny, man. I think I’d be like in the streaming little world, like in the YouTube streamer little world.
Who was your favorite athlete growing up?
Probably football player, Jamal Adams when I was younger. And then athlete, always LeBron (James), I can say. I’m a huge LeBron fan.
Do you have a favorite movie?
All Day and a Night. Yeah, it’s a good movie on Netflix.
Do you have a favorite artist?
Noodah05. And then probably Rod Wave.
Who have you been closest on the team so far?
Probably Charles Woods. C Woods. That’s my guy.
Who’s the funniest player on the team?
Probably Marcus (Jones), bro. Marcus is funny. Marcus Jones. Marc is funny. He’s just funny in his own ways.
I know you haven’t been here that long, but what’s your favorite thing about the New England region so far?
I don’t know. I haven’t even been around. I really just go home and then just chill.
Is there a player across the league you think is underrated or underappreciated?
Yeah, I’m always going with my guy, KJ (Kevin) Winston (Jr.). He plays for the Titans, he’s a safety. I feel like he do a lot of good things well around the ball. I feel like he does a lot of good things well to be a young player in this league, and it’s kind of hard. He’s been starting to deal with injury in his first year, so just me watching his path and me going with him throughout college (at Penn State) and seeing how his career is just like ascending, even though like the team might not be winning, but I pay attention to each and every play that he does. He does a great job out there.
Do you have a hidden talent?
I can cook.
What’s your best dish?
Probably salmon Alfredo. Or salmon pasta.