Central's Elijah Reeder

‘Hidden Gem’: Central Defensive End Elijah Reeder Signs With Iowa State After Late Offer

Scott Stump|December 3, 2025|Last Updated December 3, 2025

Central senior star defensive end Elijah Reeder has committed and signed with Iowa State on National Signing Day on Wednesday, one day after visiting the school and getting an offer.

Iowa State announced on Wednesday that it had signed a “hidden gem from Jersey” in Reeder, a 6-foot-6 defensive end who had 49 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss and 8 sacks this season for the 8-win Golden Eagles, who finished No. 11 in the Shore Sports Insider Top 12 rankings.


Reeder had previous offers from FCS programs New Haven, Bryant University and Monmouth University before securing a last-minute offer from Iowa State, a day before the early signing period.

He was an All-Class B South pick by the coaches and a second-team All-Shore selection by SSI following his senior season. Reeder, who also is a basketball player for the Golden Eagles, also ran for six touchdowns as a short-yardage back and caught 10 passes for 93 yards as a tight end.

Reeder is considered a three-star recruit by 247Sports and rated as the No. 56 edge prospect nationally and No. 9 among the senior class in New Jersey.

 

Reeder joins Donovan Catholic offensive lineman Kai Pritchard (Illinois) and Red Bank Catholic WR/DB Dan Zabora (Air Force) among FBS recruits from the Shore Conference Class of 2026.

He also is the second New Jersey recruit to commit to the Cyclones from the senior class, joining Piscataway wide receiver Josiah Zayas.

Scott Stump is the football editor and a reporter for Shore Sports Insider. He first started covering Shore Conference football in 1999 and has covered basketball, baseball and seemingly every other Shore Conference sport at some point. 

Email: scottstump25@gmail.com

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