MOBILE, Ala. – Despite the week's focus being on them, former Utah players and NFL Draft prospects Karene Reid and Junior Tafuna can envision a former teammate in the same shoes down the road.

Former Utah cornerback Cameron Calhoun joined his third team in as many years last month when he announced his commitment to Alabama.

“ He's a baller,” Tafuna said.

Reid was quick to interject: “Yeah, no, the one word I would use is energy. He brings a lot of energy to the locker room and the field. He’s just a very passionate player."

Calhoun arrived in Salt Lake City after playing two games in a redshirt season at Michigan. According to Pro Football Focus, Calhoun played 445 snaps for the Utes in 2024 and was graded as their top cornerback. The Cincinnati native totaled 24 tackles, an interception and a team-leading nine pass breakups.

Tafuna, who was in the same pod as Calhoun for eight months, says one specific memory of the new Alabama defensive back sticks out.

“He'd be sitting there in his locker bed, like, ‘I can't wait to play today. I can't wait to…’ he’d be doing some Deion Sanders stuff," Tafuna said. "He Just loves the game and loves to play. Like, ‘chill, bro. It's only, like, 9 a.m., bro. We got practice at 3’."

Reid says he was wowed during one specific play at Calhoun’s athleticism.

“ I think one play that really popped out to me and stands out is if you go back and watch the Utah State game,” Reid said. “He had an interception along the sideline where he ran, I don't know if he was deep third or man, but he was able to elevate and get the ball at the highest point. Just very athletic.”

Calhoun joins a cornerback room returning its top two players from last season, Domani Jackson and Zabien Brown. Still, the two Utah teammates are confident that Calhoun has the skill set to eventually grow into an NFL prospect himself, potentially running out onto the same field they are playing this week at the Senior Bowl.