Shiyazh Pete Shares Insight on New Kentucky Pass-Rushers

The Big Blue Wall’s rebuild has dominated conversations throughout the offseason, but what about the guys they’re playing in practice? The Kentucky offensive line underwent substantial reconstruction, but they have four returning players in the rotation. That’s three more than what you’ll find in the outside linebacker room.

JJ Weaver‘s lengthy career concluded following the 2024 campaign, and other edge players quickly followed suit via the transfer portal. The only recognizable name is Steven “Sack Em” Soles, who just finished his true freshman season. Brad White had his work cut out for him.

Kentucky pulled a pair of players from USC, Sam Greene and Lorenzo Cowan. They also found a couple of gems from the lower levels. Kam Olds had a productive 2024 season in the MAC, tallying 7.0 TFLs, six sacks, and an interception at Kent State. If you thought those numbers were eye-opening, let me show you Mi’Quise Humphrey-Grace‘s. He was the Defensive MVP of the best conference in the FCS after posting 17 TFLs and 9.5 sacks.

The past production is there, but what are the new pass rushers bringing to the table? Instead of asking one of their coaches, I asked the guy who regularly has to block them, Shiyazh Pete. He singled out three individuals who pose problems during one-on-one drills.

“Steven Soles, Grace, Mi’Quise, and who else gives me trouble? Kam, Kam Olds,” said Pete. “Those three really have been a trifecta, the people that give me the most trouble. They’re really good pass-rushers. I gotta give them credit.”

We’ve seen Soles use his explosiveness to bend the edge and put opposing quarterbacks under duress. He gained weight this offseason to withstand the physically demanding play in the SEC. We have not seen the other two in action.

“He plays really hard,” Pete said of Humphrey-Grace. “He strains throughout the entire play, up until the whistle. I’ve noticed that. And he’s really working hard to get to the quarterback. He plays it like it’s the fourth quarter, that kind of mentality. I respect that.”

Kam Olds has great length at 6-foot-4, but that’s not the part of his game that sticks out to the offensive tackle. “He uses his hands. He’s really working my hands, at least.”

Kentucky ranked 15th in the SEC last fall with only 24 sacks. The Wildcats have a few impressive interior rushers, like Josaih Hayes and David Gusta, but to improve from last season, those three players must add some extra juice on the outside and make life miserable for opposing quarterbacks.