Midlothian linebacker Olds stays in-state with bet on himself as PWO at Virginia Tech
MIDLOTHIAN, Va. (BVM) — Midlothian High School’s Kameron Olds was going to play football at the next level, that much was clear early. With a number of schools from all levels of collegiate play offering scholarships, opportunities and interest since before his junior year, the only question for the linebacker became where he would play. Well, the answer to that question was revealed on Feb. 3 during a national signing day ceremony at the high school.
During the ceremony, Olds sat down in front of a table with five different hats from schools that fought for the right to have the linebacker join their squad. Weeks prior to his decision, Olds released his top four teams, Florida State, Norfolk State, Virginia and Western Kentucky, to his Twitter page, giving insight to where his head was at. But, it was the school that wasn’t included on that initial top four list, but had a spot at the table that Olds went with. As Olds grabbed the baseball cap, he revealed that he would attend nearby Virginia Tech University, accepting their preferred walk-on opportunity.
Thank you to all of my family and friends! Today is a special day! pic.twitter.com/fcxySZVWhu
— Kameron Olds (@kam_olds2) February 3, 2021
So why didn’t Olds list the Hokies as part of his final four just weeks before his commitment day? Well, it’s because Virginia Tech didn’t officially offer the senior an opportunity to join the team as a preferred walk-on until Jan. 31, just three days prior to Olds’ decision. That move, coupled with the close proximity of the campus to Midlothian, played heavily into the senior’s choice.
“The fact that it was close to home and I could access my parents and my grandparents anytime [made VT stand out],” Olds said. “The coaches who were recruiting me throughout this whole COVID-19 time were consistent and I have some friends on the roster at Virginia Tech. All the puzzle pieces just fit. … I’d rather be two hours away from home then 10 hours away.”
Blessed to receive another PWO offer from the Hokies! @dtapp55 @JackInTheBox58 @MidloTrojansFB @HokiesFB @VaPrepsRivals @VA2VARecruiting pic.twitter.com/8Fb6JFcpmC
— Kameron Olds (@kam_olds2) January 31, 2021
Olds admitted that surprising some people who were following his recruitment closely added to the fun and excitement of his decision day.
“They’re excited about the decision made,” Olds said. “They were obviously surprised because the school wasn’t in my top four so that was kind of fun to pick and see people’s reactions and all that. That was cool.”
Though unable to officially visit the campus due to COVID-19 protocols, Olds was familiar with the school. Being one of the biggest in-state Division I universities, Olds had been to the campus and watched games in person so he knew what to expect regardless of only being able to do virtual tours and talk with coaches over Zoom calls.
“I’ve seen the facilities on Youtube and things like that and I’ve been to Virginia Tech during my whole childhood so I know what it looks like,” Olds said.
In Olds, the Hokies receive a rangy linebacker who can make plays all over the field. At 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, Olds has the size to play in the box at the next level whether that is as a standup linebacker or across the defensive line. With a three-star ranking from 247 Sports, Olds is considered one of the better prospects in the state of Virginia, adding a recruiting advantage for the Hokies as well and the team projects him to play at his natural position as a standup linebacker in their 4-3 defensive scheme, Olds’ preferred position.
“The Hokies see me at outside linebacker or inside linebacker,” Olds said. “They really like me at linebacker so that’s what I’ll be playing at Virginia Tech.
During his last season in 2019, with the Virginia High School League postponing the 2020 football season to the spring of 2021, Olds proved he was an elite prospect. With 62 total tackles, four sacks, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble on his resume, Olds flashed on the tape for the Trojans. Though Midlothian wasn’t particularly successful during the 2019 campaign, Olds was able to draw attention from teams around the state and schools around the country. Though he got plenty of attention, Olds didn’t pay much mind to the people making the ranking decisions.
“I don’t look at myself as one of the top recruits in Virginia, I let the outsiders do that because I just try to stay humble and stay grounded,” Olds said. “That’s my motivation to just keep pushing, keep working to be great.”
For Olds, the opportunity to play at the next level takes him another step closer to achieving a dream he had since he was a child. The moment Olds realized football was his way to the next level was when he attended the Michael Robinson Youth Football Camp organized by former NFL fullback Michael Robinson who played high school football at Varina High School in Henrico, Va. During the camp, Olds not only got to play the game he loved, but was able to meet local legends Robinson and Russell Wilson, the Seahawks quarterback who played prep football for Collegiate School in Richmond, Va. That was when Olds knew he was going to make football be his path to big things.
“Going to those camps and seeing those guys up close and personal coaching you, you just sit there and think, ‘I want to be that one day,’” Olds said. “Seeing Richard Sherman, Russell Wilson and Michael Robinson is just mind blowing. Seeing Michael Robinson on TV and being like ‘Dang I met him’ that’s what I strive for, to go to the NFL and one day have camps of my own.”
The moment I realized football was gonna be my thing… I was told so by these hometown guys. Thanks for working with me! #ExceltoExcellence @DangeRussWilson @RealMikeRob @MidloTrojansFB pic.twitter.com/FrY2yYIPFW
— Kameron Olds (@kam_olds2) July 4, 2020
Now, years after that camp, Olds’ first step to his dream has come to fruition. He has not only dominated the high school football circuit, but has done so well that he can now take his game to the next level, and for an in-state DI team no less. For Olds, the commitment is just the beginning of a longer end game, but it is the start he needs to keep his goals within reach.
“I just got to go down there, keep my head up and grind to earn a scholarship,” Olds said. “I want to just thank my parents and the man above for giving me this opportunity and this ability to play the game I love. It’s just so great.”
