Two members of the Colorado State Rams have won the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year award, and they're both Dolphins in 2024.
Mohamed Kamara joins Shaq Barrett as outside linebackers who took their talents from Fort Collins to Miami Gardens after wrecking shop as a member of the collegiate Rams.
Here are the fast facts on the 158th pick in the NFL Draft, Mohamed Kamara:
- The hardware
A 13-sack season with two forced fumbles and 17 tackles for loss earned Kamara the title of top defender in the Mountain West in 2023, in addition to Second Team All-American honors.
Kamara became the second player in school history to surpass 30 career sacks (30.5; Carl Haggans had 33 in the early 1990's). His 64 quarterback pressures were tied for third in the nation among all edge defenders in 2023 and his 12 quarterback hits tied for 11th.
- Intense competitor, captain
"Every day in practice, he sets the example. He's done a great job as a captain, setting the tone," said Colorado State Head Coach Jay Norvell.
The coaching staff at Colorado State said Kamara's energy in practice inspired his teammates. Kamara transferred that energy from the training grounds to game day. The Athletic's Dane Brugler opened his scouting report of Kamara with this: "intense competitor who rushes with a touch of craziness to him."
Kamara described his approach to practice in his first media availability as a pro.
"Be relentless in practice so when you get to the game, you're just letting yourself free," Kamara said. "Fail, succeed, mess up in practice so when you get to the game, it's easy and you're just doing what you have to do."
- Maximizing the traits
With a 4.57 time in the 40-yard dash, Kamara landed in the 98th percentile of all edge rushers to run at the Scouting Combine since 1987. His 1.56 10-split is good for the 96th percentile. Like Miami's first-round pick, Chop Robinson, Kamara explodes off the snap and puts tackles in immediate peril.
Even though Kamara stands 6-foot-1, in the fifth percentile of height for edge rushers, he utilizes the low pad level and burst to his advantage. Few players from this class generate more force and power in their rush as Kamara, as the great Brian Baldinger explains below.
- Already working with Chop
It's not uncommon for draft prospects to work out in clusters ahead of selection day. The two highly skilled pass rushers drafted by Miami have a pre-existing relationship from that grueling grind ahead of realizing their draft day dreams.
"Me and Chop (Robinson) were already working out in Arizona, so we already have a relationship there," Kamara said. "Both of us worked in Arizona and did what we had to do, and we already butt heads because that's the relationship we have. We're good friends, great friends at that."
The Dolphins outside linebacker room features three incredibly accomplished players in Barrett, Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips. Adding youth like Kamara and Robinson gives Miami a chance to have one of the deepest pass rushes in the National Football League – music to Miami fans' ears after signing and playing three new players at the position in last year's playoffs due to multiple injuries.
For more on the Mohamed Kamara, and the rest of the Dolphins 2024 draft class, download the Drive Time Podcast with Travis Wingfield.
