Newcomer Notebook: Elijah Reed
8/20/2026 8:30 AM | Football
New cornerback is excited to join Utah’s physical defense
SALT LAKE CITY — The Newcomer Notebook returns for 2026 as UtahUtes.com will visit with various additions to the Utah Football roster leading up to the Utes' season opener on September 3 vs. Idaho.
As the countdown continues to the program's 2026 premiere, there are many new Utes who are looking forward to the chance to make a positive first impression on the Rice-Eccles Stadium crowd. One of those fresh faces is cornerback Elijah Reed, who figures to be a strong addition to Utah's already outstanding secondary.
Reed came to Utah with 33 games of college football under his belt, having started his career at Kentucky before spending the last two years as a standout for Akron. After earning six starts for the Zips in 2024, Reed has a breakout season in 2025, starting all 12 of his team's games and snaring a pair of interceptions to go with four passes defensed. He also was credited with two tackles for loss and a sack.
Reed earned his chance at the collegiate level by putting together a career at Pleasure Ridge Park High School that garnered him a consensus three-star rating and he was also ranked as one of the top players in Kentucky.
How was today's practice?
It was a solid day, competitive day coming towards the end of fall camp. I feel like everyone is still coming with the same heat and it's back-and-forth, which is what you want to see from good teams.
How would you assess how camp has gone for the defensive backs?
I feel like we've been put in a lot of strenuous situations, which is eventually going to work in our favor because the season is unforgiving. We've come out on top in most of those situations.
You were recruited here out of high school. When you entered the transfer portal, how much of a difference did those relationships make when you had the opportunity to come here?
In my mind, this was just God's plan, being able to come here and Coach Shah giving me the opportunity to come here and show my talents. Coming out of high school, having this offer and it being a full-circle moment where I come back here was meant to be.
What's it been like living in Salt Lake City?
I love it here. When anyone asks how it is in Salt Lake City, I always say this is probably my favorite place I've ever lived. It's just peaceful.
What attributes make the biggest difference in making someone a good man-coverage cornerback?
I would say, in general, the physicality. I would say speed, length and the competitiveness that every single guy in our room has. We all have elite competitiveness and that's why every single one of us can play to the level that we play right now.
You said one of the things you love about this defense is its physicality. What makes the physicality this defense plays with different?
What makes it different is every day, you better expect to put your hands on somebody and rip off a block because the eye in the sky doesn't lie. You better show that on film because you'll either thrive in the situation or you'll be exposed.
FOLLOW THE UTES
Follow the Utes on social media through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com. Download the Utah 360 app here.
As the countdown continues to the program's 2026 premiere, there are many new Utes who are looking forward to the chance to make a positive first impression on the Rice-Eccles Stadium crowd. One of those fresh faces is cornerback Elijah Reed, who figures to be a strong addition to Utah's already outstanding secondary.
Reed came to Utah with 33 games of college football under his belt, having started his career at Kentucky before spending the last two years as a standout for Akron. After earning six starts for the Zips in 2024, Reed has a breakout season in 2025, starting all 12 of his team's games and snaring a pair of interceptions to go with four passes defensed. He also was credited with two tackles for loss and a sack.
Reed earned his chance at the collegiate level by putting together a career at Pleasure Ridge Park High School that garnered him a consensus three-star rating and he was also ranked as one of the top players in Kentucky.
How was today's practice?
It was a solid day, competitive day coming towards the end of fall camp. I feel like everyone is still coming with the same heat and it's back-and-forth, which is what you want to see from good teams.
How would you assess how camp has gone for the defensive backs?
I feel like we've been put in a lot of strenuous situations, which is eventually going to work in our favor because the season is unforgiving. We've come out on top in most of those situations.
You were recruited here out of high school. When you entered the transfer portal, how much of a difference did those relationships make when you had the opportunity to come here?
In my mind, this was just God's plan, being able to come here and Coach Shah giving me the opportunity to come here and show my talents. Coming out of high school, having this offer and it being a full-circle moment where I come back here was meant to be.
What's it been like living in Salt Lake City?
I love it here. When anyone asks how it is in Salt Lake City, I always say this is probably my favorite place I've ever lived. It's just peaceful.
What attributes make the biggest difference in making someone a good man-coverage cornerback?
I would say, in general, the physicality. I would say speed, length and the competitiveness that every single guy in our room has. We all have elite competitiveness and that's why every single one of us can play to the level that we play right now.
You said one of the things you love about this defense is its physicality. What makes the physicality this defense plays with different?
What makes it different is every day, you better expect to put your hands on somebody and rip off a block because the eye in the sky doesn't lie. You better show that on film because you'll either thrive in the situation or you'll be exposed.
FOLLOW THE UTES
Follow the Utes on social media through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com. Download the Utah 360 app here.
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