KU product Reynolds introduces self with touchdown for Lions
Talk about strong first impressions.
Now Craig Reynolds, the running back from Kutztown University, will have some more time to let his new Detroit Lions teammates learn who he is.
Reynolds, signed by the Lions Thursday, ran for a team-high 49 yards and a touchdown on six carries in a 16-15 preseason home loss to the Buffalo Bills Friday.
“It’s definitely been crazy,” the 25-year-old Reynolds said.
Reynolds said he got called for a tryout, then missed his flight. His flight out of Philadelphia then got delayed twice due to heavy rain. He landed in Charlotte at midnight Thursday, got up at 6 a.m. to fly to Detroit, went through his workout, then signed.
There wasn’t much time to learn his teammates’ names, let alone the playbook.
“I introduced myself in the huddle at one point,” Reynolds said. “They were like, ‘Yo, what’s your name?’ A couple coaches introduced themselves to me on the sideline during the game. It’s definitely crazy, but they’ve just made it real easy. I’ve been comfortable being here. I’ve got to credit everybody, the front office, the staff, giving me the opportunity.”
The 5-11, 215-pound Reynolds scored his first NFL touchdown on a 24yard run with 7:36 left in the fourth quarter.
“It meant a lot, you know,” Reynolds said. “First career touchdown. And I got a call from my older brother today and he just told me to let it rip. Friday the 13th, 13 was my number in college and high school. He’s like, ‘Today’s going to be – just do something special.’ “
The Lions are Reynolds’ fourth NFL team since he completed his stellar career with the Golden Bears in 2018. The Abington High grad finished third in KU history in rushing yards with 2,650, second in allpurpose yards with 5,277 and first in rushing touchdowns with 35.
He was a three-time AllPennsylvania State Athletic Conference East first-team selection and received AllAmerica honorable mention from Don Hansen Gazette as a senior.
Reynolds signed with Washington as an undrafted free agent after participating in rookie minicamp in 2019, and appeared in three games that season. He’s also been with the Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars.
He played in two games last season for the Jaguars — he had one carry for 4 yards and one catch for 3 yards — but was waived in March.
With Lions starter D’Andre Swift slowed by a groin injury, and some of the other running backs in camp battling injuries, Reynolds is getting a shot in Detroit.
“I don’t know if I’ve met him yet,” said Lions quarterback Jared Goff. “I know that sounds horrible, but he got here last night. We saw him today, but he did a great job. It was fun to watch.”
“It’s impressive,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said of Reynolds. “It really is. He’s kind of a guy — we’ll see where this goes — but he’s got that look in his eye and he did when he walked in yesterday (Thursday). You can tell like, ‘Hey man, I’m here to compete.’ ”