After being born in Georgia, Kamalu spent the first 13 years of his life in Aba, Nigeria with his siblings, while his parents stayed back home. He returned to the United States for high school, but many concepts in America were completely foreign to him. By his father's request he began playing football his freshman year of high school.
College career
Kamalu went to Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kansas for junior college. He then attended college at University of Miami in Florida, playing football, where he totaled 48 tackles, 8.0 sacks, one forced fumble and fumble recovery, and an interception which he returned for 46 yards over his 3-year collegiate career. Kamalu was voted Miami's defensive player of the year during his senior year in 2015 After 4 years of college with Butler CC and Miami combined, he declared for the 2016 NFL draft where he went undrafted.
Professional career
Houston Texans
Kamalu signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2016. He was waived by the Texans on September 3, 2016 and was signed to the practice squad the next day. He was promoted to the active roster on November 26, 2016. He made his professional debut in Week 13 in a start against the Green Bay Packers, where he recorded his first career tackle in a 21-13 loss. Kamalu recorded his first career sack on Matt Cassel in a Week 17 loss to the Tennessee Titans. On September 1, 2018, Kamalu was waived by the Texans.
Arizona Cardinals
On September 25, 2018, Kamalu was signed to the Arizona Cardinals' practice squad. He was released on October 30, 2018.
On November 5, 2018, Kamalu was signed to the New England Patriots' practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on December 21, 2018. Kamalu appeared in 2 games for the Patriots recording 1 tackle. With Kamalu the Patriots reached Super Bowl LIII and defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. On August 31, 2019, Kamalu was released during final roster cuts. He was signed onto the Patriots practice squad a day later.
On October 24, 2019, Kamalu was signed by the Baltimore Ravens off the Patriots' practice squad. He was waived on November 12 and re-signed to the practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Ravens on January 13, 2020. He was released by the Ravens on April 8, 2020. The next day Kamalu was arrested on a warrant for domestic violence.
