TCU WR Jalen Reagor declares for the NFL Draft

We all knew it was coming, but that doesn’t make Monday’s announcement from Jalen Reagor any easier to digest.

One of the most talented players and best wide receivers to ever suit up at TCU, junior Jalen Reagor has declared for the NFL Draft.

Jalen burst onto the scene as a true freshman, starring for a TCU team that played for a Big 12 Championship. His first year on campus, Reagor had 33 receptions for 576 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging nearly 18 yards per catch. A year later, he was even better; despite the Frogs using four different quarterbacks, he had his first and only 1,000 yard season, hauling in 72 balls for nine scores on his way to a team MVP season and second team All-Big 12 honors.

But in 2019, the offense struggled to get him involved, and he languished in a system that couldn’t figure out how to exploit his many talents. Reagor finished the year with just 43 receptions and 611 yards, scoring just five times as the Frogs failed to reach a bowl game for the first time in his career and just the third in Patterson’s two decades long tenure. Though frustrated, he played the role of good teammate, often returning to the game despite injuries and adversity facing him at nearly every turn. He had one of his better games Friday night as the Frogs fought for a bowl, capping off his career with a brilliant 70 yard punt return which locked up the best mark in the conference and third best in the country with 312 yards. He is second in yards per return behind Jaylen Waddle with 20.8 yards per.

In his three year career, Reagor has amassed 2,248 yards on 148 receptions, getting into the end zone 22 times. He also has over 300 yards on the ground, punctuated with a pair of rushing touchdowns. He trails only Josh Doctson (29) in career scores, and is one of the all-time greats in Fort Worth in both total receptions and yards.

Coming into the season, Reagor was considered a Biletnikoff Award candidate and likely first round draft pick. Despite the struggles this season, he is sure to wow at the Combine and is likely to go in the top 60 picks this spring. Draft analyst Dane Brugler, of The Athletic, told The Fort Worth Star-Telegram that “not much has changed since the summer. I still think he’s a late first, early second, depending on what type of receiver teams are looking for in that range. Terrific athlete with professional make up. Inconsistent ball skills but a playmaker with the ball.”

One thing is for sure: we will be watching Reag on Sundays, and soon.

Good luck!