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0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. For the Carolina Panthers , this year's top breakout candidate arrived under unfortunate circumstances.
The Panthers' second-round pick from last year, Nic Scourton, who appeared in line for a breakout season of his own, tore his ACL on the very first day of training camp — an injury expected to sideline him for the entire 2026 season.
As devastating as that is, it's opened the door for another young player to step into a major role, edge rusher Princely Umanmielen.
Umanmielen, a third-round pick out of Ole Miss in 2025, spent his rookie year in a rotational role, appearing in 16 games without a single start. He finished with 24 combined tackles, four quarterback hits, two tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Those numbers aren't flashy, but he flashed some of the elite traits that made him a star in college — he racked up 10.5 sacks at Ole Miss in 2024 after transferring from Florida, where he'd notched seven sacks the year before, earning All-SEC honors both years.
Now, with Scourton out and the Panthers bringing in Jaelan Phillips as a marquee free-agent addition on the other side of the line, Umanmielen will step into significant snaps immediately.
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Though still developing, Umanmielen showed strong advanced metrics last season. He generated nine total pressures, including five hurries and two hits, along with a 54.6 pass-rush grade by PFF .
Head coach Dave Canales has already signaled that he will be expected to "step into a bigger role " after the injury to Scourton, highlighting his development and ability as a pass rusher.
"Really, just the complete outside linebacker in our scheme can be out there and first and second down, play stout against the run and then transition into a pass rusher on play pass — and certainly in those known pass situations — third down, two-minute drill," Canales said of Umanmielen. "He's got such great ability ... Just wanting him to continue to show that every single day and walk into a role."
With near 34-inch arms , an explosive get-off, and enough bend to threaten offensive tackles off the edge, Umanmielen has the physical tools to be an elite game-wrecker. Playing opposite another talent like Phillips should create more favorable one-on-one matchups as well.
Umanmielen played just 222 snaps (22%) as a rookie. Now, with the injury to Scourton, the opportunity is there for him to emerge as one of the best young edge rushers in the league — and a real building block for a Panthers defense trying to defend its NFC South title.
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