Isaiah Reed's performance against Rutgers solidifies Senior Bowl case
Reed, named to the Senior Bowl preseason watch list, put in work against a Power program.
Two years ago, Isaiah Reed was one of the Ivy League’s best NFL prospects. The ball-hawking corner found himself on the prestigious Senior Bowl preseason watchlist ahead of the 2024 season after intercepting five passes in 2023 and breaking up eight more.
Unfortunately, injuries riddled Reed’s fourth season at Brown, limiting him to four games in 2024. Despite taking advantage of the redshirt rule and transferring to UCF, the 2025 season was not much better for Reed. He played in just four games for the Knights with just a single tackle to his name.
One would think that Reed would remain under the radar after transferring to UMass this season. However, Reed reintroduced himself to NFL scouts and the entire country in remarkable fashion in UMass’ stunning 37-21 victory over Rutgers. He intercepted a pass and broke up two others, while Pro Football Focus credited him with only allowing two receptions for five yards.
UMass CB Isaiah Reed (@isaiah_reed_14) was a huge factor in the Minutemen's upset win over Rutgers tonight.
— Bryan (@RealBGauvin23) September 4, 2026
Reed tallied 1 tackle, an interception and 2 PBUs on the night. PFF also credited him with allowing just 2 receptions on 5 targets.#Flagship 🚩 #MACtion pic.twitter.com/gfRWsYyiU7
This performance may have put Reed back on the Senior Bowl’s radar. One quality game against a Power Four opponent may be all that he needed.
It is clearer than ever that the NFL has narrowed its focus on the Power Four. Only 19 of the 257 picks in the 2026 draft came outside of the Power Four. This extends to the Senior Bowl, the premier pre-draft all-star game. Only 11 of the game’s 139 participants came from non-Power conferences, with seven coming from FBS mid-majors.
It is reasonable to believe he could land as one of the rare FBS mid-major invitees with a quality season. The Senior Bowl already holds him in high regard, given his inclusion on the 2025 Senior Bowl watchlist.
This prior inclusion gives Reed a boost over his peer defensive back prospects. Jacksonville State cornerback Tre’Quon Fegans was the lone non-Power defensive back to make the Senior Bowl’s 300-player watchlist, and one of seven non-power representatives across all positions.
Reed’s reappearance on the Senior Bowl’s radar could boost UMass’ recruiting profile immensely. Very few programs in the non-power can boast sending talent to the Senior Bowl in this climate. Reed has an opportunity to be the Minutemen’s third Senior Bowl honoree ever and the first since Andy Isabella played in the 2019 game.
Combine this with Isaiah Rodgers carving out a productive career as a sixth-round draft pick after his Minuteman career, and UMass could become the mid-major level’s new “Cornerback U.”
In the shock and jubilation of UMass’ historic win over Rutgers, it is easy to lose sight of one of this season’s best comeback stories. Isaiah Reed’s pursuit of a rare Senior Bowl appearance for a UMass player could become one of the season’s best storylines and one with impacts on the UMass program for years to come.
