Ole Miss' Princely Umanmielen Ranked In PFF's Top 10 Returning Edge Defenders
How talented is new Ole Miss defensive end Princely Umanmielen? Pro Football Focus considers him one of the top returning pass-rushers in college football.
Umanmielen, the 6-5, 255-pound pass-rusher who joined the Rebels from Florida, was listed as the No. 7 returning edge defender for the 2024 season. His ability to win up field and force his way past offensive tackles while maintaining a balance makes him a must-see name to monitor in 2024.
"Umanmielen is the second edge defender on this list who’ll be playing for a new team in 2024 after transferring from Florida to Ole Miss. This past season, the junior ranked fourth among Power Five edge defenders in pass-rush win rate (22.2%).
His 42 run-defense stops since 2022 are tied for second among that same group. He has an excellent understanding of when to use counter moves and has a great bend at 6-foot-5 and 254 pounds. Umanmielen and Walter Nolen, an honorable mention nominee for interior defensive linemen, should be a nightmare for SEC offensive lines next season." -- PFF
Florida Gators defensive end Princely Umanmielen (1) tackles Florida State Seminoles quarterback Tate Rodemaker (18) during the first half at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 25, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]
© Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK
In a woeful 5-7 season down in the Swamp, Umanmielen was a bright light in a dark tunnel. The junior led the Gators in sacks (seven) and in tackles for loss (11.5) while also finishing fifth on the team with 39 total tackles.
In Pete Golding's defense, Umanmielen will be coming off the edge as a pure blitzer. His win rate in pass-rushing sets should open an avenue for other Rebel defenders in hopes of forcing their way into the backfield.
Ole Miss also brought in former No. 1 defensive recruit Walter Nolen from Texas A&M this offseason to fortify the run game. The Rebels also retained Jared Ivey and JJ Pegues, who returned for their senior seasons for a shot at the College Football Playoff.
The Rebels are coming off a program-defining 11-2 season under Lane Kiffin, capped off with a top 10 finish in the AP Poll and victory over Penn State in the Peach Bowl. Offensively, Ole Miss had the talent to win the Southeastern Conference for the first time in program history.
Defensively, even with the arrival of new coordinator Pete Golding, there were struggles, especially in the trench play. Powerhouses Alabama and Georgia picked up wins over the Rebels, largely due to their inability to corral the passer.
Crimson Tide's Jalen Milroe was sacked four times, but he also was credited with nearly a third of Alabama's rushing production. Bulldogs' Carson Beck went untouched for four quarters and threw for 306 yards and two scores. Georgia also averaged 8.6 yards per rush attempt in the 52-17 win.
Ole Miss' defensive line doesn't need to be college football's finest, but if it can reach the potential that many presume, it should be good enough to avoid blowouts like the one suffered in Athens. Adding pressure to the quarterback is an exceptional place to start.
It's why Umanmielen is in Oxford looking for a promising final collegiate season.
