It’s been an offseason of change for former Goldsboro High School standout and current NFL player Jarran Reed.
Reed spent the first five years of his pro football career with the Seattle Seahawks, but after the 2020 season, it was time for Reed to find a home.
He eventually signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, and Reed told FM 98.3 WGBR’s Andrew Stevens that he is enjoying his new surroundings.
“It’s been good. It’s been very different. It’s always exciting to go from playing with a great coach to playing with another one like Andy Reid, who’s going to be in the hall of fame one day,” Reed said. “This (Kanas City) is a great team, and once you get inside these walls, you see why they win a lot.
“Man, it’s outstanding.”
In Seattle, Reed learned what it takes to be part of a Super Bowl contender every season, and he is bringing what he learned to the Chiefs, who also have Super Bowl expectations.
But Reed noted that it takes a lot of hard work, effort, and determination to reach a Super Bowl in the NFL.
“It’s really exciting because we have a good chance of getting there, but we have to stay humble, stay grinding, and play hard every day,” Reed said.
Reed started his journey to the NFL at Goldsboro High School. After graduating from Goldsboro, he attended Hargrave Military Academy before moving onto East Mississippi, where he won a JUCO national championship. At East Mississippi, Reed was credited with 100 career tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss.
He eventually caught the eye of the University of Alabama head football coach Nick Saban, and Reed transferred to Alabama in 2014.
During his two seasons at Alabama, Reed racked up 111 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and two sacks while helping lead Alamaba to a national championship in 2015.
Along his path to the NFL, Reed said he learned many things that he wants younger players to know.
“You’ve got to stay grounded and stay focused,” Reed said. “You have to be your own leader in your own mind, and you have to be responsible. You’ve got to pick out the good stuff to listen to and weed out the bad stuff.
Reed added he’ll never forget his Goldsboro roots and what it meant to put on a Goldsboro jersey.
“Playing at Goldsboro made me who I am today, and I love it,” Reed said. “I love Goldsboro, I love Goldsboro High School football, and I love coming home.”
