The last eight months have been a frustrating time for Desmond Reid.
This past fall, playing in his final collegiate campaign with Pitt, Reid dealt with a nagging ankle injury that cost him nearly half the season and persisted well into 2026, impacting critical pre-NFL Draft workouts and preparation.
In fact, Reid, whose speed, route-running abilities and special teams prowess turned heads when he was an All-American for the Panthers in 2024, was limited at the NFL Combine and unable to partake in drills in front of scouts.
Pitt’s pro day March 16 served as Reid’s primary opportunity to showcase his skills in front of NFL evaluators.
“It’s been tough, but I’m thankful to be in the position I’m in,” Reid said in mid-March. “I’m just blessed. It’s been tough, but everybody goes through tough times. Just have to fight through it.”
By day’s end, Reid’s 40-yard dash time disappointed, as he clocked an unofficial 4.55 seconds.
Reid noted that pro day marked a long-awaited return to full health and that previously, he’d ran the 40-yard dash in as fast as 4.3 seconds.
Still, the 5-foot-6, 174-pound Reid didn’t look at the day as a total loss.
“I wasn’t really happy with it but it was my first time really running out here, running for real,” Reid said. “Got to showcase my routes, showcase my quickness, so I was proud of that.”
Reid appears to be projecting as a final-round pick or undrafted free agent during this week’s draft.
Reid’s 2024 season at Pitt, in which he rushed for a team-high 966 yards, adding 579 receiving yards and another 159 as a punt returner, highlighted the best of his potential.
In 2025, despite injuries, Reid was able to produce some more solid game film, as he had a 53-yard touchdown run and 88-yard punt return score vs. Duquesne.
Later in the year vs. Florida State, he rushed for 45 yards and had 155 with two touchdowns through the air.
But having missed games due to injury in 2025 and 2024 with Pitt, as well as at Western Carolina, where he began his collegiate career in the FCS, could concern NFL clubs.
Reid plans to be on hand in Pittsburgh when the NFL Draft comes to town Thursday through Saturday.
At every juncture, when he’s had an opportunity to speak with scouts, Reid has tried to highlight his special teams potential on top of being a tailback.
“That’s the first thing I try to throw out there like, ‘Hey, I’m a punt returner, kick returner,’” Reid said. “That’s a way to get your name out there. It’s going to be tough for me to go to the next level and come off ripping playing running back. I know I’m real good at special teams, I take pride in it and I just love doing it. Any way I can help the team, I’m going to do it.”
Reid has certainly beaten the odds before, having transitioned successfully from the FCS to the Power Four.
His debut season at Pitt in 2024 saw him finish ninth nationally in all-purpose yards (1,704).
Reid also boasts 75 career receptions at Pitt with a punt return touchdown in both 2024 and 2025.
Heading into the NFL Draft, it remains to be seen what aspects of Reid’s scouting report – durability and size concerns vs. versatility and explosiveness — will win out.
For his part, Reid is eager to get to the next level in whatever way, shape, form or role it requires.
“As long as I’m playing football, I’m happy,” Reid said.