George Gumbs Jr. DE/EDGE Florida |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Jersey: #34 SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 03/28/2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FORTY time: 4.66 seconds (86%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jersey: #34 | |
| SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | |
| Last Updated: 03/28/2026 | |
| Draft Year: 2026 | |
| Forty time: 4.66 seconds (86%*) | |
| Overall Rating: | 81.2 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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78% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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70% |
| Pass Rush: |
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72% |
| Run Defense: |
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72% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
6th
Overall Rank:
#190
Position rank:
#40 (DL)
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| College Games: 34 College Snaps: 1210 | ||
ESPN RATING: 73/100
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247 RATING: 83/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.4 (89%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jeffrey Gunter - Coastal Carolina |
|
92% |
| Ikenna Enechukwu - Rice |
|
91% |
| Ethan Downs - Oklahoma |
|
90% |
Drafted: ROUND: 5 - Pick Number: 156 (IND)
Draft Profile: Bio
Few college defenders in this class have taken a more unconventional route to the edge. Gumbs enrolled at Northern Illinois as a walk-on wide receiver, caught four passes as a tight end in 2022, then moved to defensive end the following year and immediately posted 3.5 sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss in seven starts. That kind of raw athletic translation earned him a scholarship, a spot in the transfer portal, and ultimately a landing place at Florida after flipping from Cincinnati.In two seasons with the Gators, Gumbs started 12 of 22 games and compiled 7.5 sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss, and 37 quarterback pressures across 311 pass-rushing snaps. His 2025 campaign was his best work on tape, particularly a five-tackle, forced-fumble performance against third-ranked LSU and a nine-tackle, one-sack outing versus fifth-ranked Georgia. A meniscus injury in his right knee cut the season short by two weeks and required surgery.
Gumbs earned an invitation to the East-West Shrine Bowl and participated in the NFL Combine, where his vertical jump tied for sixth-best among edge rushers tested since 1999. He earned his bachelor's degree in Education Sciences at Florida in the fall of 2025.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Outstanding vertical explosiveness shows up in his get-off and closing burst.
- Uses a cross-chop and leaping entry to get past tackles' set points consistently.
- Converts speed to power well on his Euro-step counter back inside.
- Bends naturally at the top of his rush arc without losing speed.
- Willing run defender who works to spill blocks and hold contain.
- Fluid mover in space who can drop into short zones without looking uncomfortable.
- Competitive edge and work ethic have fueled three position changes in five years.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Leads with his helmet too often rather than getting hands on blockers first.
- Lacks a consistent bull rush to complement his speed-based moves.
- Offensive linemen who get into his chest can walk him off his spot.
- Edge-setting technique against the run needs fundamental refinement.
- Owns a deep catalog of rush moves but sequences them without a real plan.
- Overruns plays in pursuit and gives up leverage on cutback runs.
Scouting Report: Summary
Gumbs is the kind of prospect who makes more sense on paper in two years than he does right now. He has only been playing defensive end since 2023, and his grading trajectory at Florida shows steady improvement in run defense and pass rush. Combine that with testing numbers that place him among the most explosive edge athletes in this class, and there is a real developmental ceiling here. The vertical and broad jump numbers, along with his three-cone agility, confirm what shows up on tape: he can bend, he can close, and he can redirect in space.The concern is how much refinement his hands, rush plan, and point-of-attack technique still need. Right now he wins on raw athleticism more than polish. Blockers who anchor early can stall him, and his run defense fundamentals are still catching up to his physical tools. The meniscus surgery adds a minor medical flag, though his pro day bench press showing suggested he was recovering well. At this stage, he is a rotational edge with upside rather than a player ready to contribute on early downs.
The fit is a 4-3 defense or an even front that can use him as a designated pass rusher on obvious throwing downs while he develops his all-around game. A patient coaching staff with a strong defensive line room could turn Gumbs into a solid starter in time, but the floor is a special teams contributor and situational rusher who never puts the full package together. His mentality and athletic gifts give him a real shot, but nothing about his tape says the production is guaranteed.
George Gumbs Jr. percentiles vs other Defensive Ends (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate George Gumbs Jr. (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
174.6
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
48.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.