Jayden Reed started his college career at Western Michigan in 2018 and led the team in receptions (56), yards (797), and touchdowns (8) as a freshman. That was on a team with future NFL second-rounder D'Wayne Eskridge. After the 2018 season, Reed opted to transfer to Michigan State and sat out the 2019 season due to the NCAA's transfer rules. In his first season at Michigan State, he led the team in receptions (33) and finished second in receiving yards (407) behind future NFL draft pick, Jalen Nailor. The following season, Reed surpassed 1,000 yards receiving and scored 10 touchdowns. In his senior season, he took a backseat to Keon Coleman, finishing with 55 receptions for 636 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Reed also showcased return ability in college, most notably as a punt returner, averaging 15.3 yards per return and scoring three touchdowns on 38 punt returns.
After putting together a decent Combine showing, Reed was selected in the second round of the NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers. He joined a youthful receiving corps featuring 2022 rookies Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs. Reed ran 66.9-percent of his snaps from the slot in his 2023 rookie season and was also used as a rusher out of backfield. He was targeted on 24.4-percent of his pass routes caught 64 passes for eight touchdowns, adding another 119 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
