Winston Reid

Winston Reid Bio

Winston Reid is an American professional football linebacker for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and competing at roughly 225 pounds, Reid plays the inside linebacker position and wears jersey number 59. He played college football for the Weber State Wildcats before launching his NFL career in 2024 as an undrafted free agent with the Browns.

Born and raised in Utah, Reid built his game through seven years at Weber State, where he progressed from a walk-on to an All-American level defender. After going unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft, he signed with the Cleveland Browns and has since worked his way from the practice squad to the active roster, becoming a regular contributor on the team’s defense.

Early Life and Background

Winston Reid was born on August 3, 1999, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is the son of Mike Reid and Lau Reid, who raised him in the Salt Lake City area during his formative years. Growing up in Utah provided Reid with early access to youth and high school football programs that helped shape his development as a linebacker.

Reid attended Copper Hills High School in West Jordan, Utah, where he began playing organized football at a competitive level. His time at Copper Hills allowed him to develop the fundamentals of tackling, coverage, and run defense that would later define his college profile. While still a high schooler, Reid committed to continuing his career at the collegiate level, eventually choosing Weber State as his next step.

Path to American Football

After completing his prep career at Copper Hills, Reid initially joined the Weber State Wildcats as a walk-on, meaning he was not offered an athletic scholarship at the outset of his college career. That status did not last long, as his performance on the field eventually earned him a scholarship and a sustained role within the program. He spent seven years with the Wildcats between 2017 and 2023, a stretch that allowed him to mature physically and tactically while contributing across multiple defensive schemes.

Across his seven-year collegiate career, Reid appeared in 47 games for the Wildcats and recorded 281 total tackles, with 28.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, and additional disruption in the backfield. His production earned him FCS All-American recognition and multiple all-conference selections, establishing him as one of the most productive linebackers in the Big Sky Conference by the end of his senior season. Despite those honors, Reid went unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft, setting the stage for his professional opportunity with the Cleveland Browns.

Winston Reid Career

Early Career (2017–2023)

Reid’s earliest meaningful football came at Copper Hills High School, where he developed into a college-ready linebacker. That foundation translated directly into his seven-year tenure at Weber State, where he transformed from a walk-on into a scholarship player and a defensive leader. His development arc at Weber State included steady increases in playing time, tackle production, and recognition within the Big Sky Conference.

By his final seasons with the Wildcats, Reid had become a central figure on defense, finishing his career with 281 tackles and earning First-team All-Big Sky honors in 2023. His recognition as an FCS All-American reflected both his volume of production and his consistency across run defense and pass coverage responsibilities. That body of work is what positioned Reid to pursue a professional opportunity, even though his name was not called during the 2024 NFL Draft.

Cleveland Browns Breakthrough (2024–Present)

After going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, Reid signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent, beginning his professional career in the NFL. His initial stint with the Browns was brief, as he was released during final roster cuts on August 27, 2024. He rejoined the organization one day later on the practice squad, keeping his dream of an NFL roster spot alive.

Reid’s breakthrough moment came on September 14, 2024, when the Browns signed him to the active roster ahead of their Week 2 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. From that point forward, he carved out a regular role in Cleveland’s linebacker rotation, finishing the 2024 season with 23 total tackles, 0.5 sacks, one fumble recovery, and two pass deflections. His ability to contribute immediately on special teams and defense helped him secure a longer-term future with the organization.

On April 8, 2025, Reid signed his exclusive rights free agent tender with the Cleveland Browns, cementing his place on the roster beyond his rookie contract. That move confirmed the organization’s confidence in his development and ensured continuity in the linebacker room heading into the new league year. Reid remains an active member of the Browns defense as he continues to build on his early NFL résumé.

Driving Style and Strengths

Reid’s game is built on tackling reliability, football intelligence, and positional versatility, traits that allowed him to thrive in the Big Sky Conference and translate quickly to the NFL level. He shows strength against the run, reads offensive plays with discipline, and has demonstrated enough coverage ability to record multiple pass deflections as a rookie. His willingness to contribute on special teams, combined with his steady development in the linebacker rotation, has made him a trusted rotational piece for the Browns.

Notable Events and Milestones

One of the defining moments of Reid’s professional journey came on September 14, 2024, when he was elevated to the Browns’ active roster ahead of a Week 2 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. His First-team All-Big Sky selection in 2023 stands as his most prominent collegiate honor, and his signing of an exclusive rights free agent tender in April 2025 marked an important roster milestone. Each step, from walk-on to scholarship player to NFL contributor, has reflected steady progression in his career arc.

Winston Reid Career Wins

Reid’s verified professional body of work centers on his 2024 rookie season with the Cleveland Browns, where he recorded 23 total tackles, 0.5 sacks, one fumble recovery, and two pass deflections. While individual game-by-game win data is not fully verified, his statistical contributions reflect an active role in the Browns defense and special teams units.

Cleveland Browns Highlights

During his first NFL season in 2024, Reid appeared in regular-season action for the Cleveland Browns after earning his promotion from the practice squad in mid-September. His most notable statistical line includes 23 tackles, a half-sack, a fumble recovery, and two passes defended, numbers that reflect both defensive snaps and special teams work. Securing his exclusive rights tender in April 2025 ensured his continued presence on the roster.

Other Performances

Beyond the NFL, Reid’s most decorated stretch came at Weber State, where he was a First-team All-Big Sky selection in 2023 and earned FCS All-American recognition. His seven-year collegiate tenure produced 281 tackles, 28.5 tackles for loss, and seven sacks, totals that anchored the Wildcats’ defense across multiple seasons.

Winston Reid Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Winston Reid is the son of Mike Reid and Lau Reid, both of whom raised him in the Salt Lake City, Utah area. His family provided the foundation that allowed him to pursue football from youth leagues through his high school years at Copper Hills. Their support played a key role as he transitioned from a walk-on at Weber State to a scholarship player and ultimately an NFL linebacker.

Personal Life

Reid maintains close ties to his Utah roots, having grown up in Salt Lake City and attended high school in nearby West Jordan. He is known publicly through his social media presence, where he shares updates about his football journey. His focus remains on his professional career with the Cleveland Browns as he continues to develop as an NFL linebacker.

2025 Season Performance

Heading into the 2025 season, Reid’s role with the Cleveland Browns is anchored by his April 2025 exclusive rights tender, which kept him in the fold and signaled the organization’s belief in his trajectory. With a full offseason ahead of his second professional campaign, Reid is positioned to expand his responsibilities within the linebacker rotation. His 23-tackle rookie total and two pass deflections offer a baseline of production that he will look to build upon.

The 2025 storyline for Reid centers on whether his expanded preparation can translate into more defensive snaps, more tackles, and greater impact on third downs. Having already proven he can move from the practice squad to the active roster, his next task is to establish himself as a consistent rotational piece on defense rather than primarily a special teams contributor. The Browns’ investment in retaining him early suggests they view him as part of their long-term defensive plan.

Reid’s outlook for the 2025 season is shaped by continuity with the same organization and defensive staff that oversaw his rookie development. If he can stay healthy and continue producing against the run while refining his coverage work, he has a realistic path toward a larger defensive role. His journey from undrafted free agent to a retained linebacker underscores the patience and discipline that now define his professional profile.