Former Spartans Star Has Chance to Shine on Thanksgiving

On By Littum

Former Michigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed will play Thanksgiving football for the second straight season Thursday night when his Green Bay Packers host the Miami Dolphins.

Reed led the Packers’ dynamic offense with over 100 yards in the first game of the season. He leads the team in receiving yards with 669, while also leading wide receivers with four touchdowns.

In Reed’s rookie season, the Packers wide receiver played well on Thanksgiving and was a key factor in the Packers’ 29-22 victory over the Detroit Lions that sparked the Packers’ improbable playoff run. Reed caught four passes and also had a receiving touchdown.

In 2024, as the Packers season progressed, they moved away from a passing offense to dominating the ground with the rushing attack.

Last week, the Packers scored 38 points on the San Francisco 49ers, but the majority of that yardage was on the ground. Packers fourth-year quarterback Jordan Love threw for just 160 yards, while Packers running back Josh Jacobs ran for 106 yards and three touchdowns.

Because of the rushing attack, Reed has been quiet lately, catching just five passes over the last two games for 49 yards.

The 24-year-old will look to break out on Thursday while being guarded by All-Pro Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur should look to incorporate Reed into unconventional plays as a tight end to get Reed more involved in the offense.

The former First-Team All-American was also an elite punt returner for the Spartans. In the NFL, there hasn’t been the same level of success for Reed on special teams. This season, his longest return was only 15 yards.

Reed has been one of the many former Spartans who produced at the next level. Others include Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman, Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker IIIand Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins.

Although the Packers are favored by three points at Lambeau Field, the Dolphins will not be an easy team to beat as they fight to stay in the hunt for a playoff spot.

Led by head coach Mike McDaniel, the Dolphins have a top-ten pass defense, and after starting the season 2-6, are starting to look like the team from last season, winning three straight games.

The Packers are 8-3 and currently sit in third place in the NFC North division race one game behind the Minnesota Vikings and two games behind the Lions. With six games left in the regular season, the Packers have a chance to make things up.

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