Here’s the NFL Draft outlook for K-State’s Anudike-Uzomah, KU’s Phelps, MU’s McGuire
.jpg "This week’s NFL Scouting Combine is bringing guys like Mizzou’s Isaiah McGuire, from left, Kansas’ Lonnie Phelps and K-State’s Felix Anudike-Uzomah one step closer to living out their pro-football dreams.")
The 2023 NFL Draft is set for April 27-29 at Union Station in Kansas City.
And for some college players with ties to the greater KC metro area, hearing their names called out on the draft stage would provide a special moment.
Former Kansas State defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah, who prepped at Lee’s Summit High School, is one of them.
“I’ve been working on this my whole life,” Anudike-Uzomah said Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine. “I’m a Kansas City guy drafted in Kansas City. My mom is proud about it and everybody in my city is proud about it, so I’m so excited to be drafted in Kansas City.”
The 6-foot-4, 255-pound Anudike-Uzomah has a more than realistic chance to realize his dream.
He’s projected as either a late first- or middle second-round pick after an accomplished collegiate career, which he capped off in 2022 as a first-team All-American and being named the Big 12’s Defensive Player of the Year.
He compiled some impressive collegiate statistics, including 100 tackles and 20.5 sacks in 27 starts at K-State, and believes he possesses the sort of attributes that NFL teams are seeking.
“I’m great to talk to, I’m kind of light-hearted,” Anudike-Uzomah said. “Just basically, them going through my film and seeing what type of player I am — affect the pass rusher, very high-energy and everything like that. I feel like that’s what GMs and coaches really like about a player for their organization.”
Anudike-Uzomah is going through the formal and informal interview processes in Indianapolis. He said he’s spoken to multiple teams, including the one he grew up rooting for: the Chiefs.
With veteran defensive end Carlos Dunlap scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on March 15, the Chiefs will have a need for a pass rusher with Anudike-Uzomah’s skill-set.
Suffice to say he wouldn’t mind if the Chiefs selected him.
“It would be nice; I’m not going to lie,” Anudike-Uzomah said. “It would be a crazy experience. I’m not going to lie to you on that one.”
OTHER LOCALS AT COMBINE
The NFL Scouting Combine is essentially a week-long job interview, and draft prospects can catch a potential employer’s eye through the interview process or on-field drills.
“You work your life toward this moment, this process,” Missouri Tigers pass rusher Isaiah McGuire said. “So, it’s all a blessing and an honor.”
The 6-foot-4, 274-pound McGuire, who finished his college career with 116 tackles and 16.5 sacks, projects as a fourth-round pick in next month’s draft.
He said he talked with the Chiefs at the Senior Bowl, an annual college all-star game held in late January featuring some of the country’s top draft prospects.
“It was a good meeting, for sure,” McGuire said.
Kansas pass rusher Lonnie Phelps, who projects as a sixth-round pick, said he’s talked to multiple teams, including the Chiefs, at this week’s NFL Scouting Combine.
Already, the 6-foot-3, 245-pound Phelps is living out a childhood dream by taking part in the combine.
“I’ve always dreamed about it, watching it on TV and stuff,” he said. “Look at me now — I’m here. It took a long time.”
Phelps, who played at the same high school as Chiefs safety Bryan Cook, is planning to transition from defensive end to linebacker at the next level. He transferred to Kansas in 2022 after three seasons at Miami of Ohio, totaling 57 tackles and seven sacks as a pass rusher last year.
He had a productive Senior Bowl week, showcasing his ability to play linebacker, and he believes that the team that selects him will be getting a player with upside.
“I could fit with any defense, but my skill-set I would say specifically I would bring more dominance to the defense, more sacks to the defense, more turnovers to the defense,” Phelps said. “Just being another leader, another dominant player, a piece to the puzzle.”
This story was originally published March 1, 2023 at 1:03 PM with the headline "Here’s the NFL Draft outlook for K-State’s Anudike-Uzomah, KU’s Phelps, MU’s McGuire."
