George Gumbs was selected by the Colts in the fifth round of the NFL Draft, aiming to strengthen their defense. He transitioned from a walk-on wide receiver to a defensive end during his college career.
Key points
George Gumbs selected by Colts in fifth round
Aims to strengthen Colts' defense
Transitioned from wide receiver to defensive end
Started college career as a walk-on at Northern Illinois
Colts lost five starters from 2025
George GumbsNorthern IllinoisFloridaColts
George Gumbs selected by Colts in fifth round of NFL Draft: grade, analysis, stats
INDIANAPOLIS -- After addressing its starter needs at safety and linebacker – times two – with three of its first four picks in the second, third and fourth rounds of the NFL Draft, the Colts finally looked toward the franchise’s lack of a second edge rusher starter with the 156th pick to bolster a defense that has lost five starters from 2025.
There, Indianapolis looked to the SEC for the fourth time in 24 hours, taking defensive end George Gumbs Jr., a fifth-year senior from Florida whose college football carer started as a walk-on wide receiver at Northern Illinois before transitioning to tight end.
With his shot at a starting spot looking bleak as he continued to target an offensive role, his Northern Illinois coaches proposed a switch to defensive end. Gumbs rolled the dice, and it has paid off handsomely.
Nov 1, 2025; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators edge rusher George Gumbs Jr. (34) celebrates a play in the second half against the Georgia Bulldogs at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Q&A
Who is George Gumbs and what position does he play?
George Gumbs is a defensive end selected by the Colts in the fifth round of the NFL Draft.
What round was George Gumbs drafted in the 2026 NFL Draft?
George Gumbs was drafted in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Why did George Gumbs switch from wide receiver to defensive end?
Gumbs switched to defensive end after his coaches at Northern Illinois suggested it, as his chances of starting as a wide receiver were low.
What impact does George Gumbs's selection have on the Colts' defense?
Gumbs's selection aims to address the Colts' need for a second edge rusher starter, bolstering a defense that lost five starters from 2025.
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Florida Gators edge T.J. Searcy (19) and Florida Gators edge George Gumbs Jr. (34) sacks LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) causing a fumble during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 16, 2024. The Gators defeated the Tigers 27-16. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]
Florida Gators edge George Gumbs Jr. (34) celebrates a fourth down stop during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, October 19, 2024 against the Kentucky Wildcats. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]
Florida Gators edge George Gumbs Jr. (34) tries to grab a fumble as LSU Tigers offensive lineman Emery Jones Jr. (50) grabs it away during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 16, 2024. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]
Dec 20, 2024; Tampa, FL, USA; Tulane Green Wave quarterback Ty Thompson (7) drops back as Florida Gators edge George Gumbs Jr. (34) pressures during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Sep 6, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators defensive end George Gumbs Jr. (34) waits for the snap against the South Florida Bulls during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Florida Gators edge George Gumbs Jr. (34) puts pressure on LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 16, 2024. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]
Oct 4, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) throws the ball under pressure from Florida Gators defensive end George Gumbs Jr. (34) during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
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George Gumbs Jr. photos of Indianapolis Colts fifth round pick in NFL Draft
Nov 1, 2025; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators edge rusher George Gumbs Jr. (34) celebrates a play in the second half against the Georgia Bulldogs at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
1 / 8
George Gumbs Jr. photos of Indianapolis Colts fifth round pick in NFL Draft
Nov 1, 2025; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators edge rusher George Gumbs Jr. (34) celebrates a play in the second half against the Georgia Bulldogs at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
2 / 8
George Gumbs Jr. photos of Indianapolis Colts fifth round pick in NFL Draft
Florida Gators edge T.J. Searcy (19) and Florida Gators edge George Gumbs Jr. (34) sacks LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) causing a fumble during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 16, 2024. The Gators defeated the Tigers 27-16. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]
3 / 8
George Gumbs Jr. photos of Indianapolis Colts fifth round pick in NFL Draft
Florida Gators edge George Gumbs Jr. (34) celebrates a fourth down stop during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, October 19, 2024 against the Kentucky Wildcats. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]
4 / 8
George Gumbs Jr. photos of Indianapolis Colts fifth round pick in NFL Draft
Florida Gators edge George Gumbs Jr. (34) tries to grab a fumble as LSU Tigers offensive lineman Emery Jones Jr. (50) grabs it away during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 16, 2024. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]
5 / 8
George Gumbs Jr. photos of Indianapolis Colts fifth round pick in NFL Draft
Dec 20, 2024; Tampa, FL, USA; Tulane Green Wave quarterback Ty Thompson (7) drops back as Florida Gators edge George Gumbs Jr. (34) pressures during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
6 / 8
George Gumbs Jr. photos of Indianapolis Colts fifth round pick in NFL Draft
Sep 6, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators defensive end George Gumbs Jr. (34) waits for the snap against the South Florida Bulls during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
7 / 8
George Gumbs Jr. photos of Indianapolis Colts fifth round pick in NFL Draft
Florida Gators edge George Gumbs Jr. (34) puts pressure on LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 16, 2024. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]
8 / 8
George Gumbs Jr. photos of Indianapolis Colts fifth round pick in NFL Draft
Oct 4, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) throws the ball under pressure from Florida Gators defensive end George Gumbs Jr. (34) during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Colts draft grade: Florida EDGE George Gumbs Jr., C
After transitioning to Florida for the 2024 campaign, Gumbs also spent time as a linebacker before ultimately snatching a starting role with the SEC powerhouse program on the edge. The way in which his career has had him bouncing around – two programs and four positions in all – means his techniques lack complexity, but the fact he’s made it to the NFL after running into roadblock after roadblock in pursuit of his football dreams shows off his dedication, willingness to trust his coaches, malleability and work ethic.
Gumbs has made it this far on raw, physical talent, rather than skill, but refining that technique is what it’s going to take to see time on the edge on an Indianapolis roster who, other than Laiatu Latu, has no clear-cut starter for 2026. He’s imposing as an athlete, standing taller than 6-foot-4 at 245 pounds with more than 33-inch arms, and his 4.66 40 speed on the edge is impressive for his size.
The former wideout has solid balance and fluidity in his movements, and adding 20 pounds since arriving in Gainesville has given him noted improved power and physicality at the point of attack on the line. He’s capable dropping into coverage when necessary, too.
Gumbs is very much a project – as you’d expect from a fifth-rounder – but in his two years at Florida, he compiled 14.5 tackles for a loss and 7.5 sacks in 12 starts. Whereas other options in this range among the available edge rushers might've brought production to the table, but lacked the tools to succeed at the next level, Gumbs appears to be the opposite -- a player who has tools but just needs to sharpen them.
