The Florida Gators are tied with the Arkansas Razorbacks at the half in Week 10, but the battle of the trenches has been won effusively by Florida EDGE and 2024 NFL Draft prospect Princely Umanmielen. Could Umanmielen be an early Round 1 and EDGE1 candidate?
Princely Umanmielen Continuing Strong Campaign vs. Arkansas
Heading into Week 10, Umanmielen only had three sacks in the 2023 season — though those were also accompanied by 7.5 tackles for loss.
The low sack numbers cause some to overlook Umanmielen’s game, but he’s quietly been a very consistent pressure generator outside of the sacks.
He’s always been a terrific run defender — one of the best in the nation — but this year, his pass-rushing skill set has been taken to another level, and Arkansas has seen it firsthand today.
Through just two quarters against the Razorbacks, Umanmielen has four tackles and two sacks, and his constant pressure has made KJ Jefferson extremely uncomfortable in the pocket.
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One of Umanmielen’s sacks was a hustle sack made in pursuit, where his length and pursuit speed became paramount. But his other sack was an extremely impressive display, where Umanmielen used his burst and bend to sear beneath the right tackle with a dip-and-rip move.
Umanmielen is a disruptive force in both phases, and he’s proving it in dramatic fashion this week.
Could Umanmielen Be EDGE1 of the 2024 NFL Draft?
So far in the 2024 NFL Draft cycle, no one has run away with the EDGE1 mantle. Right now, Alabama’s Dallas Turner is the leader, but there are flaws you can pick out with every EDGE prospect.
Turner’s upside is astronomical, but he’s still developing as a pass-rush technician. Jared Verse is an explosive technician, but he’s older and lacks elite bend. Chop Robinson is a maniacal, alignment-versatile force, but he lacks elite length.
You can continue this exercise even further down. Laiatu Latu is a relentless pressure generator with bend, but his run defense is inconsistent, and age and medicals will also impact him. JT Tuimoloau is a powerhouse, but his flexibility is a concern.
Every top 2024 NFL Draft EDGE prospect has flaws that keep them from running away with the top positional spot. Meanwhile, Umanmielen’s profile looks more and more complete with each passing week.
At 6’4″, 250 pounds, he has massive levers for arms, a hyper-elite first step, and searing speed and agility around the edge. He also has the bend to sustain that speed while lowering to unnatural leverage, and he can use his length to pry around blocks and finish.
Umanmielen’s pass-rush profile is all-encompassing, and in the run game, he’s an even stronger prospect. His length and flexibility allow him to set the edge and control blocks, and he’s a constant disruptor and displacement minimizer with his block recognition, play IQ, deconstruction ability, and reach.
There might not be a three-down EDGE prospect with the combined utility and physical upside that Umanmielen has. And that’s why he’s a very viable candidate for the EDGE1 spot in the 2024 NFL Draft.
