Another Top Pass Rusher Having Predraft Visit with Packers

The Green Bay Packers are hosting Kansas State’s Felix Anudike-Uzomah, the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.

Author:
Bill Huber
Publish date:
Apr 18, 2023 1:52 PM EDT

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Green Bay Packers

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers are hosting Kansas State’s Felix Anudike-Uzomah on a predraft visit on Tuesday, the pass rusher posted on his Instagram.

Anudike-Uzomah was the Big 12’s Defensive Player of the Year and a third-team All-American in 2022. He also was a finalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy and the Ted Hendricks Award as he posted 8.5 sacks, 11 tackles for losses and two forced fumbles despite battling a constant barrage of double teams.

He had a breakout 2021 season with 11 sacks, 14.5 tackles for losses and an FBS-high six forced fumbles.

At 6-foot-3 and 255 pounds, he’s the type of power player that typically appeals to the Packers. He could be an option for Green Bay’s second-round selection.

Anudike-Uzomah was headed to Missouri – not to play football but to be just a “regular” student – after being lightly recruited while weighing 215 pounds in high school. Late in the process, Kansas State gave him an offer.

“This was the only Power 5 offer I got,” Anudike-Uzomah told The Wichita Eagle. “Being under recruited put a big chip on my shoulder. That put a burden on my back to be the best player I can be at K-State.”

As a nonscholarship blueshirt in 2020, he played in six games and posted just one sack and three tackles. Then came his monster 2021, a season highlighted by what should have been a six-sack performance against TCU – a feat that would have tied the FBS record but was reduced to merely four sacks because of a silly NCAA rule.

“During the game, I said, ‘Man, you’re finally double-teaming me,’” he said, “and [a TCU lineman] said after my fifth sack, ‘You’re not getting another one.’ And I got another one and he didn’t say anything.”

Because he was so good, opposing offenses were determined not to let him wreck games this past season. Thus, the declining production. He went from eighth in Pro Football Focus’ pass-rushing productivity, which measures sacks hits and hurries per pass-rushing snap, to 61st.

“I remember last year I usually got one-on-ones most every play and I made the most of it,” Anudike-Uzomah said in December. “This year, they like to slide the protection my way or have me double-teamed right off the bat on a pass play.

“Honestly, I did the most I can, really, and that's how much attention I got this year.”

The 2023 NFL Draft will be held in his hometown of Kansas City beginning April 27.

“I’ve been working on this my whole life,” Anudike-Uzomah said at the Scouting Combine. “I’m a Kansas City guy drafted in Kansas City. My mom is proud about it and everybody in my city is proud about it, so I’m so excited to be drafted in Kansas City.”

The Packers, who have a significant need at outside linebacker after finishing near the bottom of the NFL in sacks following Rashan Gary’s torn ACL, also have hosted Georgia Tech’s Keion White and Iowa State’s Will McDonald.