Austin Reed
Austin Reed  QB  Western Kentucky | NFL Draft 2024 Souting Report - Portrait Image
Austin Reed
Height
6-2
Weight
220
College
Western Kentucky
Position
QB
Class
Senior
Home town
Saint Augustine Beach, FL
75.7/100
Player Rating
14
PositionRank (QB)
4.82
FortyYD Time
QB Rating
95.2
YDS
3340
Comp %
61.5
TDS
31
INTs
11
Rush AVG
2.4

Austin Reed QB Western Kentucky | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Austin Reed QB Western Kentucky
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

PLAY STYLE: Pocket Passer
Last Updated: 04/21/2024
Draft Year: 2024
40 time: 4.82 seconds (52%*)
Age: 24.9 DOB: 02/22/2000
Bowl Invite: Shrine Bowl
Measurables:
Height: 6-2 (33%*) Weight: 220 (44%*)
Hands: 9 7/8 (64%*) Arm: 30 1/8 (10%*) Span: 72 6/8 (10%*)
Forty: 4.82 (C) (52%*) Ten Yard: 1.67 (C) (52%*)
0% 100%
(C) - NFL Combine (P) - Pro Day (O) - Other (HS) -Estimated from High School Combine
For an explanation of how the (HS) data is calculated see this article
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PLAY STYLE: Pocket Passer
Last Updated: 04/21/2024
Draft Year: 2024
40 time: 4.82 seconds (52%*)
Age: 24.9 DOB: 02/22/2000
Bowl Invite: Shrine Bowl
Measurables:
0% 100%
Height: 6-2 (33%*) Weight: 220 (44%*)
Hands: 9 7/8 (64%*) Arm: 30 1/8 (10%*)
Span: 72 6/8 (10%*)
Forty: 4.82 (C) (52%*)
10 Yard: 1.67 (C) (52%*)
(C) - NFL Combine (P) - Pro Day (O) - Other
(HS) -Estimated from High School Combine
For an explanation of how the (HS) data is calculated see this article
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Overall Rating: 75.7 / 100
Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced
Defense Rating:
69%
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects.
Release Speed:
82%
Short Passing:
61%
Medium Passing:
61%
Long Passing:
68%
Rush/Scramble:
59%
DRAFT PROJECTION: UDFA
Overall Rank: #273 Position rank: #14
College Games: 26 College Snaps: 1812
Grade: 247 Sports 3  Stars 247 Sports 87 Stars 247 RATING: 87/100
Player Comparison* (Similarity level)
Jack Coan - Notre Dame
64%
Todd Centeio - James Madison
64%
Aidan O'Connell - Purdue
63%
Draft Profile: Bio
Starting at Southern Illinois, Austin Reed quickly made a name for himself before transferring to Division II West Florida. There, he led the Argonauts to a national championship in 2019, throwing for 4,089 yards and 40 touchdowns. Reed's ability to rack up impressive stats didn't stop there; after a year without football due to COVID-19, he returned to amass 3,375 yards and 38 touchdowns in 2021. His success caught the attention of Western Kentucky, where he continued to shine by filling the void left by Bailey Zappe. In his time with the Hilltoppers, Reed completed 64.5% of his passes for 4,746 yards and 40 touchdowns in 2022, and added another 3,340 yards and 31 touchdowns in 2023, earning spots on the All-Conference USA teams in both years.

Reed's collegiate career was marked not just by the yards and touchdowns he accumulated but also by the leadership and resilience he displayed through multiple transfers and changing teams. Despite the challenges of adapting to new systems and teammates, Reed consistently proved his ability to lead on the field, culminating in an invitation to the 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl. His stats and accolades, including All-Conference USA honors, underscore his production and potential as he steps into the next phase of his football career.
Scouting Report: Strengths
  • Sports a prototypical quarterback frame with solid arm strength, capable of making all the necessary throws.
  • Excellent field vision allows him to exploit defenses, coupled with his ability to throw with anticipation and precision on intermediate and deep routes.
  • Pocket awareness and manipulation stand out, as Reed can navigate narrow lanes, extending plays and finding receivers.
  • Shows a knack for leading receivers, enabling run-after-catch opportunities with well-placed throws.
  • Consistently uses his eyes to deceive linebackers, opening up the field for his receivers.
  • Despite not being a natural scrambler, possesses functional mobility to escape pressure and make throws on the move.
  • Adept at managing games while also willing to take calculated risks, displaying a good balance between caution and aggression.
  • Long history of consistent production
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
  • Lacks elite arm strength and elasticity, which may limit his effectiveness on the longest throws.
  • At times, exhibits poor decision-making, especially under pressure, leading to turnovers.
  • Ball placement and touch need refinement, as inconsistency in these areas can hinder receiver performance.
  • Footwork and mechanics, particularly under duress, show lapses that affect accuracy and throw quality.
  • While he can escape pressure, Reed’s overall athleticism and creativity outside the pocket are average compared to NFL standards.
Scouting Report: Summary
Austin Reed enters the NFL Draft as a bit of a wildcard. His record, at West Florida and Western Kentucky, shows a QB who can pile up yards and touchdowns, demonstrating the arm talent and field vision needed to excel in a pass-heavy offense. Reed's ability to lead receivers, manage games effectively, and exploit defenses with his intermediate accuracy and timing are attributes that will translate well to the pro game. His quick decision-making and pocket presence, honed over years as a starter, give him the tools necessary to compete at the next level.

However, Reed's transition to the NFL won't be without challenges. His lack of elite arm strength and tendency for erratic decision-making under pressure raises concerns about his ability to consistently execute against the faster, more complex defenses he'll face at the next level Reed's struggles with deep-ball accuracy and touch, coupled with occasional lapses in footwork and mechanics, suggest a need for refinement and development under a pro coaching staff. His physical attributes, while solid, don't necessarily stand out in a class that values mobility and arm strength.

Overall he's viewed as a developmental prospect or a backup with the potential to grow into a more significant role. Teams looking for a late-round quarterback with a high football IQ, a proven track record of production, and the intangibles to develop further might find Reed an appealing option.

Austin Reed percentiles vs other Quarterbacks (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)

How other scouting services rate Austin Reed (Overall Rank)

All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
293.4
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
18.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance. For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.

*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.