NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Karl Calhoun, OLB, Virginia Union

What is your name?

Karl Calhoun

What is your Height/Weight?

5’11 225

What is your position?

Outside/Inside Linebacker

Where do you play college football?

Virginia Union University

Where are you from?

Sanford, Florida

Who is your role model, and why?

My role was and still is my grandmother no matter what she was going through she always found a way to pull through, she never complained. I use the same approach she used at life and apply it to my life and the game of football. She was fearless in every obstacle that was in front of her and that motivated and continues to motivate me to this day.

Who was your favorite teacher?

My favorite teacher was Coach Pav

Did you play any other sports growing up?

I played basketball, weightlifted

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

Amir Hall

Who is the most underrated player on your team?

Rayonte Campbell

What is the one song that would fire you up before the biggest game of your life?

“What about me” By  Boosie

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be and why?

Lavonte David because he’s not that big but he doesn’t let it affect his play or his effectiveness. He’s patient but aggressive, he diagnoses plays and when he makes contact he tries to leave his mark on the opposing player I play the same way.

What was the biggest obstacle in your life you had to overcome, and how did you overcome it?

Losing my grandmother, to be honest I still haven’t got over it but the purpose is to continue to make her proud I know she is looking down on me so the challenge of keeping her proud drives me and gives me purpose.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

I like to eat a nice breakfast not too much and not too little, take a nice nap, do 100 pushups while reading over the scouting report and listen to a list of songs. I would also receive a good luck text from my aunt if I didn’t receive one from her it just didn’t feel right.

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

The last game on my home field, Hovey Field, on senior day and it was homecoming the first play from scrimmage I had my first career interception and returned it for a touchdown. It was the best feeling.

What is the coolest thing you ever did off the field for someone else?

I gave a homeless man a meal the shoes off my feet and a jacket while it was 20 degrees outside

Who was your favorite NFL team growing up?

The Atlanta Falcons

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would you choose?

The late great Coach Ron ( my high school defensive coordinator) Kobe Bryant, My grandmother