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 ImagesFlorida 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 ImagesSep 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 ImagesFlorida 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 Images1 / 8George Gumbs Jr. photos of Indianapolis Colts fifth round pick in NFL DraftNov 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 Images1 / 8George Gumbs Jr. photos of Indianapolis Colts fifth round pick in NFL DraftNov 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 Images2 / 8George Gumbs Jr. photos of Indianapolis Colts fifth round pick in NFL DraftFlorida 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 / 8George Gumbs Jr. photos of Indianapolis Colts fifth round pick in NFL DraftFlorida 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 / 8George Gumbs Jr. photos of Indianapolis Colts fifth round pick in NFL DraftFlorida 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 / 8George Gumbs Jr. photos of Indianapolis Colts fifth round pick in NFL DraftDec 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 Images6 / 8George Gumbs Jr. photos of Indianapolis Colts fifth round pick in NFL DraftSep 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 Images7 / 8George Gumbs Jr. photos of Indianapolis Colts fifth round pick in NFL DraftFlorida 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 / 8George Gumbs Jr. photos of Indianapolis Colts fifth round pick in NFL DraftOct 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 ImagesColts draft grade: Florida EDGE George Gumbs Jr., CAfter 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.
Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts select George Gumbs in fifth round of NFL Draft: grade, analysis, stats