As a senior at San Diego State, Reed logged 9 sacks and recorded a total of 91 tackles in his two seasons there.
Prior to the 1985 season Head coach John Robinson said, "Doug Reed has advanced from suspect to prospect to player."
He backed up Shawn Miller for the first six games and started the final ten, recording 44 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 1986.
On August 17, 1988, Reed signed a two-year contract, ending a 27-day holdout.
Reed forced a key fumble by Neal Anderson to help the Rams in an early December 23-3 victory over the Chicago Bears.