On Wednesday, it was reported that the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs have had formal interviews with a handful of prospects on the NFL Mix — together with Ole Miss’ standout edge rusher Princely Umanmielen.
The previous Florida Gator excelled in his lone season with the Rebels, logging 10.5 sacks and a cross rush win charge of twenty-two.8% to go together with 28 quarterback pressures in 2024.
Background
Listed at 6 ft 4 and 255 kilos, Umanmielen hails from Manor, Texas, the place he performed his highschool soccer at Manor Excessive. As a extremely sought-after four-star recruit, he obtained presents from 26 Division I colleges, together with Texas, LSU, Oklahoma, USC and Oregon.
The Eleventh-ranked strong-side defensive finish in his recruiting class — and the Forty second-ranked Texas prospect — he was listed greater than different 2025 draft hopefuls Rylie Mills (Notre Dame) and Elijah Roberts (SMU).
Umanmielen was born in Lagos, Nigeria. Earlier than Nigeria gained its statehood, his grandfather was king of his tribe — which is the place Princely will get his royal title.
“In Nigeria, earlier than it turned an actual nation, there have been a bunch of villages in other places. My dad’s dad was like a chief… sort of like a king… My dad needed to maintain that alive, so my massive brother’s title is Prince, my title is Princley and my little brother’s title is Princewill and the final one is Princeton,” defined Umanmielen.
If Umanmielen had come out final yr, he most likely nonetheless would have been chosen within the draft’s prime 150 picks. However he determined to switch to Ole Miss and play one ultimate season. Now that he’s anticipated to be chosen on this yr’s prime 50, it looks as if he made the precise determination.
Umanmielen is a superb athlete for his measurement. He’s anticipated to check extraordinarily effectively when he competes within the Mix’s on-field exercises on Thursday afternoon. Search for him to put up one of many highest relative athletic scores (RAS) at his place.
Movie analysis
Umanmielen is a departure from what followers have seen from latest Kansas Metropolis cross rushers like Chris Jones and George Karlaftis, who win with hand-fighting and energy. As an alternative, Umanmielen depends totally on his pace and agility to get to the quarterback. He doesn’t have very energetic palms — and because of his lack of energy, solely not often traces up together with his hand within the grime. He prefers to hurry from a large upright place, the place his fast first step and lateral motion is put to good use getting leverage as he bends across the finish.
Princely Umanmielen has a loopy capacity to bend on the prime of the frenzy for a man that is 6’4″
Insane ankle flexibility.
Nice go off the road, capacity to flatten & keep pace as he corners & speed up to shut on the QB. pic.twitter.com/fNbpPOgC4f
— Nick Waters (@Philly_Films) February 26, 2025
Umanmielen says he fashions his recreation on the Buffalo Payments’ (and former Denver Broncos’) cross rusher Von Miller.
Princely Umanmielen has some completely compelling cross rush snaps on his resume, particularly on massive downs. However a few of his effort is at instances laughable. This isn’t a rarity in his movie, particularly throughout his time at Florida. pic.twitter.com/S2l1HYUTW5
— Simon Clancy (@SiClancy) February 23, 2025
Whereas there have been questions on his effort and motor throughout his time at Florida, Umanmielen’s tape from Ole Miss exhibits that his effort has improved sufficient that I’d now not contemplate it a problem like we see on this clip.
Due to his athleticism, Umanmielen has the pace and vary to chase down (and include) cell quarterbacks. He additionally has one of many nastiest spin strikes you’ll ever see from a participant his measurement. He makes use of it to roll off the offensive tackles so he can take an inside lane to the quarterback with out downshifting.
Nonetheless, his lack of power generally makes him battle to get off blocks. He additionally wants to enhance his self-discipline whereas containing operating backs coming across the edge.
How he suits with the Chiefs
If the Philadelphia Eagles confirmed us something in Tremendous Bowl LIX, it’s you could by no means have too many cross rushers — and that they arrive in all sizes and styles. Whereas I don’t assume Umanmielen will likely be a three-down participant proper off the bat, he will likely be a harmful weapon on passing downs. And whereas he lacks some power on the level of assault, he’s stronger than a participant like Felix Anudike-Uzomah.
The underside line
Having an elite cross rush helps each a part of a protection. It will probably get in a quarterback’s head and dictate the sport’s tempo. Pairing Umanmielen with gamers like Jones and Karlaftis would add elite athleticism to the dynamic of Kansas Metropolis’s cross rush. On my massive board, I’ve Umanmielen being taken between the fortieth and sixty fifth choose.
