Film Room: Sam Greene

Kentucky recorded its first transfer portal victory off the offseason on Sunday when USC transfer Sam Greene committed to the Wildcats following his official visit. The former top-500 recruit will have three years of eligibility remaining and fills a big need on the roster after the program lost multiple outside linebackers to the transfer portal this offseason. Defensive coordinator Brad White might not be done addressing this position in the free agency market.

The expectation will be for Greene to come in and compete for a starting position at Jack after Kentucky lost four-year starter J.J. Weaver. Now it’s time to dig in and see what kind of player Kentucky added.

KSR’s Film Room is taking a closer look at Sam Greene’s tape production in 2023. The transfer addition is an undersized EDGE player who plays with good leverage, play strength, and showed some intriguing movement skills playing in defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn‘s even front defense.

Hard edge setter with movement skills

Sam Greene comes to Kentucky with three years of eligibility remaining. The Big Ten transfer is bringing 210 career defensive snaps with him to the SEC. In his first extended playing time as a redshirt freshman in 2024, Greene showed the ability to be sturdy in run fits, win in isolation against tackles, and make some plays in space against option designs.

Green strikes and plays with good leverage in run support against both tackles and tight ends. The EDGE player even shows good awareness and agility when faced with option looks. There is development needed in pass rush, but this isn’t a player who cannot move.

The USC transfer made plays in November on twists and as a spy to close out a big rivalry win on the road.

Sam Greene produced at EDGE when given opportunities by being a productive player in run fits and giving the front some athleticism to win with post-snap movement.

Kentucky found a potential new starter at Jack

Kentucky’s defense lost J.J. Weaver, Tyreese Fearbry, and Noah Matthews in the same offseason. That’s one year after losing Keaten Wade to Colorado. A lot has been lost at outside linebacker. Multiple additions in the transfer portal feel needed.

Sam Greene gives Brad White a nice first option.

Run defense became a massive issue for Kentucky to end the season and not having Weaver in the lineup at the end of the year due to injury made a difference. The Wildcats simply did not have another EDGE player who could strike and hold the point on the edge. Greene has proven he can do that against Big Ten competition. Finding a consistent pass rush winner at this position has been an issue for the defense over the last few years. As of now, Greene does not have a built up pass rush arsenal that will be needed to be a consistent winner against SEC tackles, but there is something he can bring to the defense immediately.

The Big Ten transfer gives the Kentucky defense a physical player in the front seven that should immediately make a positive impact in run support. Add in the movement skills and there is potential for him to become a havoc creator next season on stunts and other post-snap movements.

Kentucky’s first transfer addition of the offseason will have a big role for the Wildcats next season even if another Jack player is added.