Kelly was always a fan of Booker's game as well, saying that he and the defensive tackle were "super tight" as college teammates. Booker was a two-time All-Pac-12 selection, recording 43 solo tackles and eight tackles for loss as an upperclassman.
"We're best of friends," Kelly said. "Him trusting me in the back end and I'm always trusting him to be in his gap and be where he needs to be."
The two defenders also share similar journeys en route to the Las Vegas Raiders. Booker was drafted in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft to the Houston Texans. The following year, Kelly was selected in the same round to the Baltimore Ravens.
After playing 10 games for the Texans his rookie season, Booker was waived. He then signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, spending a year on the practice squad before appearing in all 21 regular season and playoff games in their Super Bowl run.
Heading into the preseason, the Raiders believed they needed more depth at interior defensive line. Player personnel additions Brandon Hunt and Anthony Patch joined John Spytek's staff from the Eagles, and possibly influenced the front office to [acquire Booker via trade](https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-acquire-dt-thomas-booker-iv-trade-philadelphia-eagles-jakorian-bennett) in exchange for cornerback Jakorian Bennett.
Within 72 hours, Booker arrived to Las Vegas and then traveled with the team to Seattle to play in their first preseason game.
"It was bittersweet but exciting, because we all miss JB \[Jakorian Bennett\]," Kelly said. "We all wish him the best. ... But then I found out I was getting my old college teammate. I was like, 'Wow, that's crazy!' I mean, I lost a friend and got another one."