Transfer Portal Bio Blast: Kameron Olds

The winter transfer portal window officially opened on Dec. 9. We’ve seen some heavy player movement in this free agency period. Teams are working rapidly to close these fast-paced recruitments.

Kentucky received a second commitment from an EDGE transfer on Tuesday. Kameron Olds will spend his final season of eligibility in Lexington.

pic.twitter.com/JQRFctlLmW

— Kameron Olds (@kam_olds2) December 23, 2024

KSR’s Bio Blast is taking a closer look at the MAC transfer to see where the veteran with 624 career snaps played will fit in Brad White’s 3-4 defense.

From prep school to Buffalo

Kameron Olds was a member of the 2021 high school recruiting cycle and starred at Richmond (Va.) Midlothian. But the prospect would begin his collegiate career at Fork Union Military Academy before moving to college football.

Olds joined Buffalo’s 2022 recruiting class following the 2021 season to play for head coach Maurice Linguist.

On da’ ⏰ clock! It’s a great day for a Stampede! BullRush mode…….#UBhornsUP 🤘🏽#Bullseye22 pic.twitter.com/hx0GdaZaPO

— Kameron Olds (@kam_olds2) December 15, 2021

As a true freshman in 2022, Olds appeared in 11 games and played 112 defensive snaps for a team that finished the year 7-6 after a win in the Camellia Bowl. Olds logged 11 pressures in 68 pass rush snaps (16.2% pressure rate) showing some potential as an edge pass rusher. As a true sophomore, Olds appeared in 10 games but saw his playing time diminish as he played only 38 defensive snaps.

Another stop in the MAC

Kameron Olds immediately entered the transfer portal after his sophomore season and signed with Kent State. In his only season playing for head coach Kenni Burns, Olds played on a winless team but had his best individual season.

Olds set career highs in snaps (474), tackles (42), tackles for loss (seven), sacks (six), and pressures (29). The outside linebacker emerged as an effective run support player and pass rusher on a bad defense. After three years in the MAC, Olds decided to enter the portal again and this time received a ton of power conference interest.

LSU, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, Mississippi State, Virginia, California, Oklahoma State, Minnesota, Nebraska, West Virginia, and Ole Miss were all involved in this recruitment. Olds locked in visits with Georgia Tech, Nebraska, and Ole Miss. Kentucky was able to secure the commitment and signature.

Luckett’s scouting notebook

Kentucky has some production to replace at outside linebacker. J.J. Weaver, Tyreese Fearbry, and Noah Matthews leave behind 833 snaps, 53 tackles, eight tackles for loss, five sacks, and 31 pressures. The Wildcats have gone to the portal to replace that production. Kameron Olds should help fill this hole.

The MAC transfer is a protoypical EDGE who can run the hoop, hold in the run game, and create havoc. This is my scouting write-up on the latest Kentucky addition.

Kameron Olds (6-4, 240) looks like a prototype for a traditional outside linebacker that should plug into Kentucky’s Jack position as a hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker. Shows the ability to run the hoop and an inside shoulder at the arc of his rush gives him a chance to consistent turn the corner. Shows flexibility as a rusher. Needs refinement at the beginning of his rush with hand punch and placement but you can see the natural tools. Flashes effort as a pursuit defender. Effective on stunts and shows some twitch in change of direction. Thick lower half gives him a solid base to hold up in run fits. Missed tackles have been an issue throughout collegiate career. Needs more consistent explosion out of stance.

The MAC transfer has some pass rushing juice but needs development. The blend of size, length, athleticism, and bend give Olds a chance to become an NFL player.