2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WKU QB Austin Reed
Austin Reed
Western Kentucky
Report Grade
Position Rank
Overall Rank
Austin Reed
Western Kentucky
Player Comp
Projection
Height
Weight
40 Time
Class
QB
Combine Measurables
Arm Length
Hand Size
Wingspan
3 Cone
Vertical
Broad Jump
Bench Press
Shuttle
Career Stats
| Year | School | Class | Games | Completions | Attempts | Percentage | Passing Yards | Yards Per Attempt | Touchdowns | Interceptions | QB Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | WKU | rSr | 14 | 389 | 602 | 64.6 | 4744 | 7.9 | 40 | 11 | 149.1 |
| 2021 | West Florida | rJr | 11 | 207 | 378 | 54.8 | 3418 | 9.0 | 38 | 8 | 159.7 |
Strengths
- Good arm strength and can push the ball with velocity.
- Ridiculously quick release from the plant through the throw.
- Flashes extraordinary ball placement.
- Good mobility to work outside of the pocket and make throws on the move.
- Does a solid job reading the pre-snap coverages and making adjustments.
Weaknesses
- While it’s a good arm, he struggles to drive the ball effectively deep.
- Pocket positioning could be better, too quick to get out of the pocket.
- Really struggles to improvise at times, wants the play to stay in structure.
Bio
2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WKU QB Austin Reed
Austin Reed is a double transfer to Western Kentucky through Southern Illinois and West Florida. Reed is a prospect that the NFL is monitoring closely in 2023 after displaying several solid tools that could make him a low-end starter and a high-end backup in the league for the next decade. Reed’s tools and frame are enticing, now it’s going to be about his growth in 2023.
Austin Reed 40 Time
Official 40 Time: 4.82 Seconds
My favorite aspect of Austin Reed’s game is that he is a combination of a timing and rhythm thrower as well as an effective scrambler. Reed can gash defenses when he is given space outside of the pocket and has power in his frame. He has a good arm, albeit not great, and flashes some serious velocity throws. On top of that, he’s smart and dissected defenses across the C-USA and group of five.
The issue with Reed is that he is going to have to learn to use the pocket. He’s too quick to flush outside of it and look to get space. Reed struggles to create when the play falls out of structure, and while he’s has a good arm, it’s not great.
Recruiting Bio
Austin Reed was an unranked prospect coming out of St. Augustine High School where he originally committed to Southern Illinois.
Reed is projected to be worth $155K in NIL value.
Accolades
- 2022 Davey O’Brien Award Semifinalist
- 2022 2nd Team All-Conference USA
- 2022 Conference USA Newcomer of the Year
2024 QB Rankings
#1
Caleb Williams
QB – Southern California
#2
Drake Maye
QB – North Carolina
#3
Jayden Daniels
QB – LSU
#4
JJ McCarthy
QB – Michigan
#5
Bo Nix
QB – Oregon
#6
Michael Penix Jr
QB – Washington
#7
Spencer Rattler
QB – South Carolina
#8
Jordan Travis
QB – Florida State
#9
Michael Pratt
QB – Tulane
#10
Joe Milton III
QB – Tennessee