Felix Anudike-Uzomah NFL Draft Profile
Felix Anudike-Uzomah Scouting Report: Edge, Kansas State Wildcats, #91
2023 NFL Draft Measurements
6’ 4” / 260 lbs
Anudike-Uzomah 40 time: Estimated 4.7-4.75 range
Felix Anudike-Uzomah Kansas State NFL Draft Profile
Felix Anudike-Uzomah played high school football for Lee’s Summit High in Lees Summit, Missouri. He would earn first team all-state honors a senior from the Missouri Football Coaches Association after earning only a second team nod his junior season. Anudike-Uzomah was tackle for loss extraordinaire recording 55 of them in his 3 years. Unfortunately, he would only accrue 13 sacks over that span.
His inability to get to the QB may be the reason 247sports only had him rated a three star prospect. Rivals only gave him a 2 star rating as well. Needless to say, the Alabamas and the Clemsons of the NCAA landscape weren’t knocking down his door. With four offers on the table, he would eventually commit to Kansas State.
After seeing the field in just 5 games in 2020, Felix would become a full time starter as a sophomore and be named first team ALL BIG12. He would record 11 sacks and force 6 fumbles. This last season he would add on 8.5 more sacks while helping his team to a Sugar Bowl appearance against Alabama.
Felix Anudike-Uzomah Awards
In his short career Anudike-Uzomah was highly decorated. He would stack up the accolades as you can see here:
- 2022 Lott IMPACT Trophy Finalist
• 2022 Ted Hendricks Award Finalist
• 2022 Second Team All-American (Walter Camp, FWAA, AFCA, CBS Sports)
• 2022 Third Team All-American (Associated Press)
• 2022 Chuck Bednarik Award Semifinalist
• 2022 Rotary Lombardi Award Semifinalist
• 2022 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year (Coaches, AP)
• 2022 Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year (Coaches)
• 2022 Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list
• 2022 Lombardi Award watch list
• 2021-22 First Team All-Big 12 (Coaches, Associated Press)
• 2022 Lott IMPACT Trophy Player of the Week (Texas Tech)
• 2021 Third Team All-American (Phil Steele)
• 2021 Big 12 co-Defensive Lineman of the Year (Coaches)
• 2021 Honorable Mention Big 12 Def. Player of the Year (Coaches)
• 2021 Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week (TCU)
• 2021 Bednarik Award Player of the Week (TCU)
• 2021 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Player of the Week (TCU)
• 2021 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week (TCU)
• 2021 Big 12 Newcomer of the Week (Southern Illinois)
• 2021 Ted Hendricks Award watch list
Felix Anudike-Uzomah Strengths
Incredible Play Strength
If you watch Anudike-Uzomah’s game film, you might think he was closer to 290 lbs. He regularly drives offensive lineman back into the pocket disrupting the play or forcing the QB to move out of the pocket. His play strength is especially on display when defending the run. I don’t recall seeing him pancaked or driven back at all. His strength is also evident with his punch. Anudike-Uzomah has forceful hands and explodes into the offensive lineman with authority. Unlike most of the other edge rushers in this draft class, I have zero concerns regarding his strength.
Quick First Step
Felix has the quick first step you look for in a traditional edge rusher. When he is lined up in the 5 technique, and gets off the ball correctly, he almost always gets a step on the opposing offensive tackle due to his burst. If he can get a better read on the snap, I believe he would be an even more productive pass rusher.
Lateral Ability and Run Defense
Anudike-Uzomah was utilized in the 3 and 4 technique a lot for the Wildcats. The defense pulled him inside the tackles more than it probably should have. This forced him to play the run a lot. Due to having to play inside the tackles, he was forced to develop good lateral ability which allows him to read the run, stack, the blockers and put himself in position to make the play.
He was even stronger in this department when facing what seemed like never ending double teams thanks to Kansas State’s defensive scheme. In the BIG 12 Championship game, Anudike-Uzomah may be the reason Kansas State won. On the final goal line stand he blew up the O line pushing them back and opening up a lane for the LB to make a play.
Good Dip and Bend
Anudike-Uzomah has some online analysts questioning this ability. I’m here to let you know they are incorrect. When he actually gets to play the 5 technique, I see good dip and bend in his frame. Withthefirstpick’s Felix Davila seems to agree with me. At the NFL level I don’t see this being questioned as he will be lined up outside the tackles and he will be able to showcase his true skill set. I doubt he plays inside the tackles much at the next level seeing how he only weighs 260 lbs.
Felix Anudike-Uzomah Weaknesses
Lack of Pass Rush Arsenal
At this point I see Anudike-Uzomah as a purely physical pass rusher. I don’t see a lot in his hand fighting arsenal nor do I see him stack techniques in succession when his original push is stymied. He needs to develop a few go to moves that don’t require him to just outrun or over power the blocker. NFL tackles aren’t going to be slouches in either of those areas. Even Oklahoma’s Anton Harrison whom I gave a first round grade made him a non factor.
Slow Off the Snap
I mentioned earlier he has a quick first step. Yet, he doesn’t really get to use it to his advantage most of the time. While watching film you can see that he is slow to react to the snap. Many times every other lineman for both the offense and defense has gotten into their first step before he has. At the next level, tackles will already be in position waiting for him. It will be hard to pressure the quarterback at all if he doesn’t improve in this area.
Felix Anudike-Uzomah Draft Stock
As of today, NFLmockdraftdatabase has him slated as a second rounder and the 40th overall prospect. According to the PFF big board, he is ranked the 56th overall prospect. That too would make him a second rounder. I don’t believe that’s too much of a reach as he is still young and has major upside. I’d feel comfortable taking him in the back end of the second round, but I’d really be targeting him in round three if he fell.
Final Thoughts on Felix Anudike-Uzomah Scouting Report
I have seen mock drafts with him going as high as the 19th pick. No way I’d be willing to go that high for him though. Yes, he has upside and could develop into a highly productive player which would merit that selection. However, I am a firm believer that a first rounder should be capable of making an impact from day one. I see Anudike-Uzomah as a rotational edge rusher for his first season who has starter upside down the road.
If he sees playing time early and often, I’d assume it would be on first and second downs and more polished veteran edge rushers would get the money plays. I wouldn’t draft someone to set the edge in the run game in the first round.
Felix Anudike-Uzomah Player Comparison
Felix reminds me of recent draftee Yetur Gross-Matos who ended up with the Carolina Panthers. Anudike-Uzomah is much stronger than Gross-Matos coming out of school, but other than that I see a lot of similarities. Both had issues reacting to the snap quickly, both have similar builds, and both have growth potential. I do think Felix is slightly more of an athlete and has better bend around the edge.
Felix Anudike-Uzomah Scouting Report Analyst-Ken Noble
