[1] When Houston Nutt departed from Arkansas for Ole Miss, Reader decided to transfer to Monterey Peninsula College.
While at Monterey Peninsula, Reader assumed the starting quarterback role, and guided the Lobos to a 10–0 regular season record and a Coast Conference championship.
[2] After not landing a scholarship from any other Football Bowl Subdivision teams, Reader committed to the University of Idaho on February 5, 2009.
As a senior in 2011, with Enderle gone to graduation, Reader was named the Vandals starting quarterback out of fall practice.
It wasn't until the Barnstormers Week 17 game against the Utah Blaze, when Reader made his first career start.