Desmond Reid
Desmond Reid  RB  Pittsburgh | NFL Draft 2026 Souting Report - Portrait Image
Desmond Reid
Height
5-8
Weight
175
College
Pittsburgh
Position
RB
Class
Junior
Home town
Miami Gardens, FL
82.4/100
Player Rating
10
PositionRank (RB)
4.38
FortyYD Time
Rush YDs
966
Rush AVG
5.3
Rush TDs
5
Receptions
52
Rec YDs
579

Desmond Reid RB Pittsburgh | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Desmond Reid RB Pittsburgh
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

ROLE: DUAL-ROLE Back
Last Updated: 06/27/2025
Draft Year: 2026
40 time: 4.38 seconds (94%*)
Measurables:
Height: 5-8 (8%*) Weight: 175 (1%*)
Forty: 4.38 (O) (94%*)
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
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
ROLE: DUAL-ROLE Back
Last Updated: 06/27/2025
Draft Year: 2026
40 time: 4.38 seconds (94%*)
Measurables:
0% 100%
Height: 5-8 (8%*) Weight: 175 (1%*)
Forty: 4.38 (O) (94%*)
(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
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
Overall Rating: 82.4 / 100
Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced
Defense Rating:
75%
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects.
Rushing:
78%
Break Tackles:
60%
Receiving/Hands:
74%
Pass Blocking:
26%
Run Blocking:
59%
DRAFT PROJECTION: 5th
Overall Rank: #156 Position rank: #10
College Games: 28 College Snaps: 1204
Grade: 247 Sports 3  Stars 247 Sports 84 Stars 247 RATING: 84/100
Player Comparison* (Similarity level)
Keaton Mitchell - East Carolina
69%
Blake Watson - Memphis
62%
Devon Achane - Texas A&M
59%
Draft Profile: Bio
Desmond Reid, coming out of Miramar High School where he rushed for 1,536 yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior, Reid wasn't on the radar of major college programs, earning just a three-star rating from recruiting services. His journey began at Western Carolina, where he quietly built a foundation that would eventually catch the attention of Power Five programs.

Reid's breakthrough came during his sophomore season at Western Carolina in 2023, when he exploded for 897 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns in just eight games before injury cut his campaign short. The American Football Coaches Association took notice, naming him a second-team All-American despite the limited games played. His 112.1 rushing yards per game average and the ability to pile up 1,180 all-purpose yards in a truncated season demonstrated the versatility that would define his game. When Western Carolina offensive coordinator Kade Bell made the jump to Pittsburgh, Reid followed, setting the stage for his breakout performance in the ACC.

The 2024 season became Reid's coming-out party on the national stage, where he shattered expectations and rewrote the record books at Pittsburgh. His 962 rushing yards on 183 carries and 579 receiving yards on 52 catches made him one of college football's most complete offensive weapons. Reid became the first player since Christian McCaffrey in 2015 to record three games with at least 100 receiving yards and 50 rushing yards, while his 154.91 all-purpose yards per game ranked fifth nationally. Multiple All-America selections from the Associated Press, CBS Sports, ESPN, and The Athletic validated what film watchers had been seeing all season - a dynamic playmaker who could impact the game in multiple phases.
Scouting Report: Strengths
  • Lightning-quick lateral movement that turns defenders into spectators, consistently making multiple defenders miss in tight quarters with ankle-breaking cuts.
  • Devastating breakaway speed that shows up repeatedly on film, with the ability to outrun entire secondaries once he hits the open field.
  • Exceptional receiving skills that extend far beyond checkdowns, running precise routes and creating separation like a natural slot receiver.
  • Rare vision and patience for his size, pressing holes to manipulate linebackers before exploding through creases with perfect timing.
  • Electric return ability that adds another dimension to his value, proven by his 78-yard punt return touchdown against Kent State.
  • Outstanding acceleration and burst through the hole, reaching top speed in just a few steps to maximize every opportunity.
  • Exceptional hands and ball security, showing natural instincts as a pass-catcher with the ability to adjust to poorly thrown balls.
  • Competitive fire that shows up in clutch moments, like his historic 100-yard rushing and receiving performance in Pittsburgh's comeback victory at Cincinnati.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
  • Concerning frame at 175 pounds raises legitimate questions about his ability to withstand the physical punishment of every-down NFL carries.
  • Pass protection remains a significant weakness, showing hesitancy and poor technique when asked to pick up blitzing linebackers and defensive backs.
  • Limited power between the tackles makes him vulnerable in short-yardage situations where teams need guaranteed yards rather than explosive plays.
  • Injury history at Western Carolina and missed games at Pittsburgh create durability concerns that NFL teams will scrutinize heavily during medical evaluations.
  • Inconsistent ball security in traffic, with a tendency to carry the ball loosely when navigating through heavy contact in the secondary.
Scouting Report: Summary
Reid's future hinges on how NFL teams value explosive playmaking ability versus traditional every-down reliability. His electric receiving skills and game-breaking speed create a ceiling that few backs in this class can match, but his inability to handle pass protection assignments severely limits his three-down potential. The beauty of Reid's game lies in his versatility - he can line up anywhere and create immediate mismatches - yet that same 175-pound frame that allows such agility raises questions about surviving the rigors of a full NFL season.

What makes Reid intriguing is how his skill set aligns with league trends toward specialized roles and committee backfields. His return ability provides immediate value and multiple paths to the field, while his receiving prowess offers offensive coordinators a legitimate weapon in space. However, teams will need to scheme around his limitations, particularly in short-yardage situations where his lack of power becomes glaring. The injury history that limited him at Western Carolina and cost him games at Pittsburgh cannot be ignored when projecting his professional durability.

Reid's draft stock will ultimately depend on how teams weigh his explosive upside against his obvious limitations. His tape shows a player who can change games with his feet and hands, but also one who struggles with the physical demands of traditional running back responsibilities. The smart money says he lands somewhere in the middle rounds, where teams can afford to take a chance on his game-breaking ability while understanding the developmental timeline required to maximize his unique skill set. His path to NFL success runs through proving that his college production translates to a league where every defender is faster and stronger.

How other scouting services rate Desmond Reid (Overall Rank)

All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
290.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
25.0
*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.