While waiting for the post-season draft sheets, the editorial staff of DNA of Sports offers you a spotlight on the future nuggets who will join the NFL in 2023.
Felix Anudike-Uzomah
Born January 24, 2001 in Kansas City, Missouri
1m92 for 115 kilos
Defensive end, Kansas State, junior
Bring in the accused: Felix Anudike-Uzomah has committed 12 sacks in 2021 and 6.5 in 6 games 2022! Because he sees quarterbacks as potential prey, this football field psychopath is constantly on the hunt.
If I were a quality: ruthless
Like a serial killer, Anudike-Uzomah likes to attack where you least expect it! Visible on the video at the end of the article, he knows how to be a danger in various ways. Overflowing from the outside remains the primary function of a player from his position. But when he seems held at bay by one (or two) offensive lineman and the quarterback no longer feels his threat, he often arises to punish him from the inside.
His incessant activity also allows him to pursue a runner to attack him from behind! The explosiveness of his footwork as well as a good use of the hands regularly allows him to escape from the marking. And thus surprise its victims.
If I was a fault: defending the race
Because he likes to put pressure, Anudike-Uzomah sometimes forgets that the opposing attack can also go through the ground: he then finds himself out of position and without any use. Given his quality for putting pressure (43 in 12 games in 2021), he will mainly be assigned to this task in the NFL. But he will also have to be competent against the ground game, to play a maximum of attempts.
If I were a stat: 6 forced fumbles in 2021
Because he arrives at full speed and knows how to put all his weight on impact, Felix Anudike-Uzomah hits his opponents like the winner of a slap contest! He knows how to dislodge the ball from the opponent’s arms. This type of player is as much sought after by NFL staff as serious criminals are.
For a defensive coordinator in the NFL, an impact action has a hierarchy: stopping the attack is good, inflicting a loss of yards is better. But the top of the top is when the defender forces a ball loss (interception or fumble). 6 times in 12 matches in 2021 and 2 times in 6 matches in 2022.
If I Were A Date: vs. Kansas Nov. 26, 2022
The two universities are 80 miles apart, and while Kansas has historically been the best in basketball, the Kansas State Wildcats dominate in football. But the Jayhawks are no longer just performing on the court, in 2022 they are also the surprise team of college football. This derby will be played in Manhattan, the one in the state of Kansas, home of Kansas State and its warriors dressed in purple.
If I was an NFL player: Robert Quinn (Bears)
Author of more than 100 career sacks, Robert Quinn is one of the best pass rushers in the NFL: 18 sacks in 2021! Player of similar size, like his elder, he knows bend : know how to move forward with speed while leaning to avoid contact with the offensive lineman.
If I was a draft pick: 15-30
Behind the “animal” Will Anderson (Alabama), the cuvée of Edge Rusher offers a lot of qualities: Myles Murphy (Clemson), BJ Ojulari (LSU), Derick Hall (Auburn) and Isaiah Foskey (Notre Dame). As well as Tyree Wilson (Texas Tech) or the lighter Nick Herbig (Wisconsin) and Jacoby Windmon (Michigan State).
Because he’s not playing on a top-10 team, Anudike-Uzomah is relatively low profile in the NCAA fan community. However, his production and his potential make him eligible for the 1st round. He dreams of it, especially since the 2023 draft will take place at his home in Kansas City!
If I were an NFL team: Houston Texans
Jonathan Greenard is an element of the future but this is not the case with his opposite with Jerry Hughes: 35 years old at the start of the 2023 season. If Rasheem Green could be extended as a rotation player, the Texans must improve a deficient pass rush in 2022. With two choices in the 1st round (theirs and that of the Browns), “the flayer of Manhattan” could behave there like the logo of the franchise: a bull which punishes anyone who gets on his path.
