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EDGE: Princely Umanmielen and Antwaun Powell-Ryland - Better than people think?

Discussion in 'RayGator's Swamp Gas' started by staticgator, Dec 7, 2022.

  1. staticgator

    staticgator GC Legend

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    I feel like I read a lot of threads and posts on here lamenting our overall defensive talent and lack of pass rush. I don't feel like I read much of anything about our two main edge rushers, Princely Umanmielen and Antwaun Powell-Ryland.

    I think they are pretty good and more people need to talk about them. I think they are very much in line with our typical good edge rushers - players like Jabari Zuniga, Jachai Polite, and possibly even Jonathan Greenard.

    I understand you can do better than that and we have in the past with players like Kevin Carter and Jevon Kearse, but those players are pretty rare and don't always come around.

    Anyways, I think #33 and #52 are pretty decent looking under the radar building blocks for a potential rebound next season.
     
    Last edited: Dec 7, 2022
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  2. paidinfull

    paidinfull GC Hall of Fame

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    They sure weren’t much of a drop off from cox, that’s for sure. I’m excited to see them continue to mature and improve.
     
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  3. sHiNeR2

    sHiNeR2 All American

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    both still relatively young in terms of playing experience. greenard had an sec defensive player of the year type season here, so i don't see them reaching that level. it would be great if they could turn in a zuniga or polite type of seasons.

    happy for them both. antwuan really turned it up after brenton's dismissal.
     
    Last edited: Dec 7, 2022
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  4. paidinfull

    paidinfull GC Hall of Fame

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    Greenard was a 5th year senior when he accomplished that. If either of these guys hang out for their 5th and possibly 6th years, I could see one or both improving that much. They were both pretty raw this year, but showed flashes of greatness.
     
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  5. staticgator

    staticgator GC Legend

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    Yes I may have slightly overshot that comparison but worth remembering Greenard didn't really bust out with us until his fifth year out of high school. He took a lot of development.
     
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  6. WC53

    WC53 GC Hall of Fame

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    What do they weigh ;)
     
  7. wingtee

    wingtee GC Hall of Fame

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    Phew ,thought this was a post that they hit the portal.
     
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  8. The_RH_Factor

    The_RH_Factor GC Hall of Fame

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    Watch them enter the Portal.
     
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  9. UF24ou14

    UF24ou14 GC Hall of Fame

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    I don't think they were a drop off at all, in fact I think they were an immediate improvement and will only get better moving forward.
     
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  10. antny1

    antny1 GC Hall of Fame

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    Not sure about that. I remember seeing his highlight film from Louisville when it was announced we were getting him and I was excited as hell. I think he had an injury at Louisville derail him a bit but he looked as smart and played with a motor like he did while he was here. Love me some greenard.

    Yes, I think princely and APR look like they can have high ceilings amd their best days are hopefully to come.

    FTR I think Zuniga was huge for us when healthy but he was greatly hindered his last year by injury. We were a much better defense when he and greenard were healthy.

    Polite was a one trick pony. Great for sacks and I'd take it now given the recent lack of production but I think princely and APR can be much better
     
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  11. scooterp

    scooterp GC Hall of Fame

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    Polite was definitely one dimensional but he was disruptive. I think he had 5 forced fumbles and 4 recoveries to go with the sacks.
     
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  12. antny1

    antny1 GC Hall of Fame

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    Yes and may have contributed to the illusion Grantham had us a good defense. We were one of if not the best at turnovers and sacks his first 2 years but we always struggled on 3rd down and the turnovers started to fade in the big games.
     
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  13. StrangeGator

    StrangeGator VIP Member

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    Powell-Ryland 243, Umanmielen 245.
     
  14. manigordo

    manigordo GC Hall of Fame

    I just want to see fundamentally sound play on the edge. Been a minute.
     
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  15. florida72

    florida72 Senior

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    They're pretty good but I just don't see them being in the same category as Greenard, Zuniga or Polite. Greenard was an absolute difference maker when playing.
     
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  16. scooterp

    scooterp GC Hall of Fame

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    Not as a Fr or Soph. He did have 7 sacks as a Jr …but it wasn’t until his 5th year with us until he exploded. There is still time.
     
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  17. Wanne15

    Wanne15 GC Hall of Fame

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    I didn’t watch him play so I don’t know how good he was elsewhere. We had a good rusher on the other end to help him but he was an absolute beast. He could rush with power or speed.
     
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  18. antny1

    antny1 GC Hall of Fame

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    Greenard was great at Louisville too. He suffered a dislocated wrist in his first game in his junior season and his stats don't reflect his worth on the field. He started as a sophomore and tied for team lead in sacks with 7. The idea he didn't explode until late is a bit off. Look at his highlight film at Louisville. He was an impact player even then.

    With that said, we have definitely had late bloomers with moss and Harvey coming to mind as well as others. Here's hoping that these two can do something similar
     
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  19. tommyvee

    tommyvee GC Hall of Fame

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    These kids now have 6 years so I hope some take advantage of it.
     
  20. Gatorhead

    Gatorhead GC Hall of Fame

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    Myama may have some thoughts on this.......... 10 sacks wasn't it?? LOL