From now until the 2026 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top 10 picks, all the way to Day 3 selections, and priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on Florida EDGE George Gumbs, Jr.
#34 GEORGE GUMBS, JR/ EDGE, FLORIDA (RS SENIOR) – 6043, 245 pounds.
Combine/Pro Day Measurements
Player Ht/Wt Hand Size Arm Length Wingspan
George Gumbs Jr. 6043/245 9 33 5/8 81 3/8
40-Yard Dash 10-Yard Dash Short Shuttle 3-Cone
4.66 1.67 N/A 7.00
Broad Jump Vertical Bench Press
10’1” 41 22
The Good
— Good height and length
— Plays on his feet and on both sides of the defense
— Mixes up his pass rush plan with power and speed rushes
— Motor is very good, chases all over the field
— Good hand placement and solid punch on power rushes
— Solid bend and quickness up the arc
— Experience dropping into zone coverage and a little man coverage experience
— Solid as a stack and shed defender
— Attacks pulling lineman to clog and gets off to make tackles
— Good backside pursuit
— Physical tackler, looks to punch the ball out
The Bad
— Hand placement is inconsistent when rushing the passer
— Needs to improve counters when the first rush doesn’t work
— Doesn’t have a go to move
— Pass coverage to the flat looks uncomfortable
— When dropping into coverage, he will turn his head, losing sight of the ball/QB
— Anchor versus tackles when setting the edge
— Angles from the backside to not overrun the play
Stats
— 46 games/20 starts
— Career: 98 tackles, 49 solo, 21 TFL, 11 sacks, 2 PBU, 2 FR, 4 FF
— 2025: 31 tackles, 14 solo, 6.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 1 FR, 2 FF
— 2021 to 2023 at Northern Illinois, 2024 to 2025 at Florida
— 2025: 402 snaps (345 defensive and 58 special teams)
— 2024: Finished second on the team in tackles for a loss and sacks
— Began career as a TE before switching to defense in spring of 2023
— Four receptions for 44 yards
— 2021: Played on kickoff coverage and kick return teams
— Planted the flag on the logo at Florida State, triggering a scuffle
Injury History
— 2025: Injured right knee (meniscus) in November vs Ole Miss, requiring surgery
— 2025: Missed game versus Miami for undisclosed injury
Background
— Birthday: 10/25/2002 (23)
— Played at Simeon High School in Chicago
— Helped school win the 2019 City Championship
— Team captain in 2020
— Played wide receiver in high school
— Rated as a 3-star prospect
— Held offers from Western Michigan and Bowling Green before the COVID-19 pandemic
— Decided to walk on at Northern Illinois
Tape Breakdown
George Gumbs, Jr is an edge of good height and solid weight with good arm length and solid hand size. He played almost exclusively in a two-point stance and aligned from the 5-technique to the wide 9 on both sides of the field. After beginning his career on the offensive side of the ball, he switched to defense in the spring of 2023.
As a pass rusher, he has solid snap quickness and very good pad level off the line of scrimmage. He will vary his pass rush plan with bull/long arm power rushes, along with a mix of speed rushes, including the chop/rip, ghost, and an inside dip. His motor is very good in the pocket, and he retraces well to cut down on scrambling opportunities. On twists and stunts, he showed good effort to open lanes as the penetrator and solid quickness as the looper to the inside.
When power rushing, he uses good hand placement and a solid punch to the body of the tackle. With good arm extension, along with solid leg drive, he displays good effort to collapse the pocket.
When speed rushing, he will use chops and swipes to attempt to clear the blocker’s hands, and he shows solid bend around the edge. He was able to force some holding calls in the game watched around the arc. His quickness across the blocker’s face when cutting inside was solid and showed potential.
He was used quite often in coverage. Mostly playing zone spot-dropping to the flat or in the curl area. When dropping to the middle of the field, he shows solid mobility, reads the quarterback’s eyes, and tries to get into passing lanes.
He is consistently chasing the ball from play to play.
As a run defender, he is very good at setting the edge and shedding the block against tight ends to get into the play. Additionally, he performed equally well attacking the puller coming his way to disrupt the play and make several tackles.
On plays away from him, he displayed a good motor to chase from behind. He has good awareness to avoid cut blocks and showed good change of direction.
As a tackler, he displays good physicality and stops yards after contact. When a teammate has the ball carrier wrapped up, he comes in looking to punch out the ball consistently.
His hand placement is inconsistent when rushing the passer, limiting his success. When the bull rush didn’t work, he didn’t show counters to continue the rush. He doesn’t possess a go-to move in his pass rush plan. In pass coverage in the flat, he looks uncomfortable. He loses sight of the quarterback while running to his spot.
Against tackles, he was adequate at shedding the block and holding the point of attack while setting the edge. When chasing from the backside, players with good agility can force him to overrun the play.
Conclusion
Overall, Gumbs, Jr is of good height and solid weight with good length. He can play on either side of the defense and is still growing as a defender. He will vary his pass-rush plan and show solid success in stressing the offensive tackle. He has experience in coverage primarily as a zone defender. Against the run, he is highly effective taking on pullers, can shed to make tackles, and displays good pursuit from behind. He is a physical tackler and looks to punch out the ball when the chance is there.
Areas for improvement include continuing to develop as a pass rusher, developing a go-to move, and countering initial unsuccessful moves. More work in coverage will help him become more comfortable, and improving his angles and anchor as a run defender will help his game.
Pittsburgh is not likely to be in the market to draft an edge player, but Gumbs is the type of player they would pursue. Physical, aggressive and with a high motor would fit their group nicely. He could fit as a weak-side defensive end in an even front or as an odd front outside linebacker. The role as the number four player in the group, as well as a core special team player, seems feasible initially, with room to improve that standing.
As a player comp, I’ll give you Dominique Robinson. He, too, started on the offensive side of the ball, is a good athlete, and has a good set of skills to work with, but he also needs to improve his pass-rush plan and set the edge.
NFL Projection: Mid-Day ThreeSteelers Depot Grade: 7.0 Spot Starter
Grade Range: 6.5 – 7.6Games Watched: 2025 – Vs South Florida, At LSU, Vs Georgia, At Kentucky, At Ole Miss
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