Florida EDGE Princely Umanmielen to Transfer, Not Enter NFL Draft

Edge rusher Princely Umanmielen will depart from the University of Florida via the transfer portal.

Photo: Florida edge rusher Princely Umanmielen; Credit: Alex Shepherd 

Despite speculation regarding Princely Umanmielen’s potential move to the NFL following his junior season, the Florida edge rusher shared via social media on Wednesday that he will remain at the collegiate level for one more season.

However, he’ll do so with a different program as he plans to enter his name into the NCAA transfer portal.

Proverbs 3:5-6🫶🏾 pic.twitter.com/IPetJvgHU4

— Princely Umanmielen (@d1princely) December 6, 2023

“I want to start off by thanking God, because without the Lord I wouldn't be in the position I am in today,” Umanmielen wrote. “I would like to thank Coach [Dan] Mullen for the opportunity of being a Gator, and Coach [Billy] Napier for embracing me when he came in as the new [head coach]. I want to thank all of my teammates that I've went through battles with throughout the years and I would also like to thank my coaches that have supported me. Lastly, I would like to thank the Gator fans that have supported me throughout my career as a Gator.

“After a lot of thought, prayers, and conversations, I would like to state that I will be returning to college football, but I will be entering my name in the transfer portal. We all must do what is best for us and I think this is what is best for me at the time. Thank you, Gator Nation.”

He concluded his goodbye note by indicating he’s a Gator for life.

Umanmielen will expectedly provoke an influx of interest from high-level programs, given his standing as an NFL Draft entree candidate with a presumed Day 2 grade, which is reflected by his consensus mock draft ranking following the 2023 season.

He’ll strive to boost his stock in the eyes of professional scouts as he returns to the collegiate level for one more season in different threads, striving to slide into the first round with another year of experience under his belt. 

Before the 2023 campaign, the 6-foot-5, 255-pound defensive end switched from strongside defensive end to Florida’s JACK edge rusher position as the unit reconfigured its defensive front to better fit its personnel with the injection of Austin Armstrong as play caller.

He found considerable success in the role, accounting for 39 tackles and a career-high seven sacks during his junior season. His prowess as a pass rusher — where he flashes impressive bend and burst off the edge — was highlighted by a 2.5-sack day in the Gators' Week 10 loss to Arkansas.

He earned an All-SEC Second Team selection from the Associated Press on Tuesday for his contributions in 2023.

The Manor, Texas, native departs from UF having totaled 99 tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, 15 sacks and three forced fumbles across four seasons. 

Umanmielen becomes the 14th Gator to depart via the portal this year. He joins defensive back Jadarrius Perkins, offensive tackle Jordan Herman, tight end Jonathan Odom, kicker Adam Mihalek, defensive back Kamari Wilson, defensive lineman Will Norman, quarterback Max Brown, wide receiver Caleb Douglas, wide receiver Thai Chiaokhiao-Bowman, defensive lineman Keenan Landry, tight end Andrew Savaiinaea, defensive lineman Chris McClellan and offensive lineman Jalen Farmer as players to announce their intentions to transfer.

This is a breaking news story that will be updated as further details emerge. 

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