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George Gumbs generating draft buzz as a wide receiver-turned edge rusher
TL;DR
George Gumbs, a former wide receiver turned edge rusher, is generating draft buzz after an impressive performance at the Combine, including a 41-inch vertical leap. Despite injuries affecting his final season at Florida, he is attracting interest from teams like the New England Patriots.
College football players change positions often, but few start off as wide receivers and end up as edge rushers, and even fewer show the promise that Florida edge rusher George Gumbs has shown.
Gumbs went from a walk-on wide receiver at Northern Illinois, to a scholarship tight end, to a defensive end, then transferred to Florida and held his own against elite competition in the SEC.
Injuries cut Gumbs' final season at Florida short, but he's still generating some draft buzz after his 41-inch vertical was the second-best of all-time for a defensive lineman at the Combine. New England is among the teams showing interest; Mike Reiss of ESPN reports that Gumbs will be one of the Patriots’ 30 pre-draft visitors.
Gumbs doesn't project as a high pick, but he has the kind of talent, and room to continue growing, that will make some team take a flier on him, in the hopes that an athlete of his caliber can contribute on special teams right now, and eventually develop into a top-notch pass rusher.
Q&A
What position did George Gumbs play before becoming an edge rusher?
George Gumbs started as a walk-on wide receiver before transitioning to tight end and then defensive end.
Which NFL team is showing interest in George Gumbs ahead of the draft?
The New England Patriots are among the teams interested in George Gumbs, as he will be one of their 30 pre-draft visitors.
