Winston Reid Bio
Winston Reid (born August 3, 1999) is an American professional football linebacker for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Weber State Wildcats and joined Cleveland as an undrafted free agent in 2024. Standing 183 cm and playing at 102 kg, Reid has worked his way from the practice squad to a regular role on the Browns defense.
Early Life and Background
Reid was born on August 3, 1999, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Mike and Lau Reid. Growing up in the Salt Lake City area, he was raised in a family environment that supported athletics and competitive sports from an early age. He attended Copper Hills High School in West Jordan, Utah, where he began developing the physical tools and fundamentals that would later define his linebacker profile.
At Copper Hills, Reid played on a competitive high school program and built a reputation as a hard-working defender. His performances drew attention from college programs in the region, eventually opening the door to continue his football career at the next level.
Path to American Football
Reid’s path to American football’s top level began in the FCS ranks at Weber State University. He initially joined the Weber State Wildcats as a walk-on before earning a scholarship through his play and preparation. His willingness to grind as a walk-on reflected an early mindset centered on development and patience.
Over a seven-year collegiate career, Reid appeared in 47 games and built a well-rounded statistical résumé. He totaled 281 tackles, with 28.5 tackles for loss, and added seven sacks, while also earning All-American recognition at the FCS level and all-conference honors. That production on a successful Wildcats defense positioned him for a professional opportunity despite not being selected in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Winston Reid Career
Early Career (2024)
After going unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft, Reid signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent. He competed throughout training camp in an effort to earn a roster spot on a defensive group that values physical linebackers.
On August 27, 2024, Reid was released during final roster cuts. A day later, he signed back with the Cleveland Browns practice squad, keeping his professional football dream alive. The quick bounce-back showed the organization’s continued interest in his development.
Cleveland Browns Breakthrough (2024)
Reid’s breakthrough with the Cleveland Browns came on September 14, 2024, when he was signed to the active roster ahead of the team’s Week 2 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. That promotion marked his first regular-season elevation to an NFL active roster and validated the work he had put in on the practice squad.
From that point forward, Reid carved out a role on Cleveland’s defense, contributing as a linebacker in sub-packages and on special teams. He became an integral part of the team’s defensive rotation, pairing physical tackling with the kind of downhill aggression that defined his college tape.
Cleveland Browns Era (2025–Present)
On April 8, 2025, Reid signed his exclusive rights free agent tender with the Cleveland Browns, locking in his place on the roster entering the 2025 season. The tender confirmed the Browns’ intent to keep him in the fold and build on his growing defensive contributions.
Entering the 2025 campaign, Reid is part of a Cleveland defense that values depth at the linebacker position. His path from undrafted free agent to tendered defender underscores both his growth and the trust the coaching staff has placed in his development.
Driving Style and Strengths
Reid plays a physical, downhill brand of linebacker football built on tackling, pursuit, and disciplined gap control. His 102 kg frame, combined with his college production of 281 tackles and 28.5 tackles for loss, shows a player who can hold up at the point of attack and finish plays in the run game.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Reid’s signature moments, his first promotion to the Cleveland Browns active roster in Week 2 of the 2024 season stands out as a turning point. He was also named an FCS All-American and earned first-team All-Big Sky recognition in 2023, highlighting the college résumé that paved the way for his professional opportunity.
Winston Reid Career Wins
Winston Reid’s professional résumé is still in its early chapters, but he has already stacked meaningful milestones since joining the NFL. He earned a spot on the Cleveland Browns active roster, signed his exclusive rights free agent tender, and established himself as a contributor on defense. His body of work also includes a decorated college career highlighted by 281 tackles, All-American status, and first-team All-Big Sky honors in 2023.
Cleveland Browns Highlights
Reid’s biggest Cleveland Browns highlights center on his rapid rise from undrafted free agent to tendered linebacker. He made his active-roster debut in a Week 2 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2024, and he signed his exclusive rights free agent tender on April 8, 2025, cementing his place with the organization.
Other Wins & Performances
Reid was named a first-team All-Big Sky selection in 2023, the premier postseason recognition for the conference. He also earned FCS All-American honors and totaled 281 tackles with 28.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks across 47 games during his time with the Weber State Wildcats.
Winston Reid Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Reid was raised by his parents, Mike Reid and Lau Reid, in the Salt Lake City area. Their support helped shape his early athletic development and contributed to his path from Copper Hills High School to a seven-year college career at Weber State.
Personal Life
Reid is an American citizen who was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. He attended Copper Hills High School in nearby West Jordan before going on to play college football for the Weber State Wildcats.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season is shaping up as a defining year for Winston Reid with the Cleveland Browns. After signing his exclusive rights free agent tender in April, he entered the year with an opportunity to expand his role on defense and on special teams.
Reid’s combination of physicality, tackling reliability, and FCS pedigree gives the Browns flexibility in how they deploy him across packages. Continued growth in coverage and run defense will be key areas to watch as he builds on the momentum of his 2024 promotion.
Looking ahead, Reid’s development arc remains one of the more compelling undrafted stories on the Cleveland roster. With a full offseason in the program and an established spot on the depth chart, the 2025 campaign offers a clear chance to turn his practice-squad foundation into a long-term NFL role.