Baylor’s defense is heading into 2026 with a lot of turnover at linebacker, and Kyland Reed looks like one of the biggest keys to making that group work.
That’s why Reed landed at No. 24 on Baylor Bears on SI’s list of the top 25 most important players for Baylor’s 2026 success. The junior is expected to carry a much larger load this season after already proving he can handle a heavy workload a year ago.
Reed was on the field for all 12 games last season and made nine starts, even with Baylor adding a top-five tackler in the nation in Travion Barnes. When the Bears opened against Auburn, it was Reed who was in the starting lineup. He logged 606 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus, and finished with 50 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
He also closed the year with his best game, piling up a career-high eight tackles against Houston.
The timing matters for Baylor, because linebacker is suddenly a major spot in Joe Klanderman’s first season as defensive coordinator. The Bears’ run defense was a mess a year ago, finishing 122nd nationally, and the middle of the defense took plenty of the blame. Baylor also lost Keaton Thomas and Phoenix Jackson from that room, which leaves even more on Reed’s plate.
Jamar Chaney had plenty of praise for the junior this spring.
"I would say Kyland Reed. He's a true dreamer.
He's been here for a while," Jamar Chaney said on who stepped up this spring. "He's been here with Matt Jones.
He was here with KT. He played over 700 snaps last year.
He's a guy, too, that's a leader that does things the right way.
"Very smart player. He's a guy that's got a chip on his shoulder.
He really came onto the scene last year. It seemed like everybody forgot about him.
He's chomping at the bit, too, as far as showing people that he's not a one-hit wonder."
Baylor will need more than Reed, of course. Sophomore Kaleb Burns is also expected to play a bigger role after being pushed into action as a freshman because of injuries, and Georgia State transfer Kedrick Walker should see plenty of snaps as well.
Still, Reed’s importance is hard to miss. He finished last season fourth on the team in tackles, and there’s every reason to think that number climbs in 2026. With Barnes expected to lead the unit if he stays healthy, Reed should be right there beside him, and Baylor is looking for him to deliver a season in the 65-70 tackle range at minimum.
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