Kingsley Enagbare: Packers were interested in him from beginning

Kingsley Enagbare has been on the radar of the Green Bay Packers for a long time, the former South Carolina star recently revealed after the organization selected him in the 2022 NFL Draft.

“Yeah so pretty much every little step, from the combine to my pro day I kind of talked to them a little bit,” Enagbare said of the Packers. “I pretty much had a sense that they liked me a lot and as it turned out, I fell to them.”

He was asked if the Packers’ position coaches discussed potential fit in their scheme and how he would be used, but Enagbare said it was more about his personality and fit in their distinct culture.

“Not really as much about how I would be used, but it was more about them being able to coach me and me being able to be coached by them,” the former Gamecock added.

Kingsley Enagbare selected by Green Bay Packers

South Carolina standout defensive end Kingsley Enagbare was selected with the No. 179 overall pick by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft on Saturday.

Affectionately known as “J.J.,” Enagbare was a first-team All-SEC and a third-team All-America selection by Pro Football Focus as a senior this past season when he recorded 44 tackles, including a team-high 7.0 tackles for loss and a team-best 4.5 sacks

PFF’s grading metrics were incredibly high on the Atlanta native, giving him an 89.2 pass-rushing grade in 2020 and a 92.5 mark in 2021.

Kingsley Enagbare participated in the NFL Combine earlier this year, clocking 4.87 seconds in the 40-yard dash and vertical jumping 36.5 inches with an 11-foot, 7-inch broad jump. 

The 6-foot-4, 258-pounder completed his four-year South Carolina football career with 121 tackles including 24.0 tackles-for-loss and 15.0 sacks to go along with 19 quarterback hurries.

The Hapeville Charter graduate signed with South Carolina as an On3Consensus four-star prospect, ranked by the recruiting industry as the No. 234 overall prospect and No. 15 EDGE in the 2018 class.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein broke down what Kingsley Enagbare can bring to the NFL in his recent scout of the defensive end’s draft profile.

“Enagbare is long and strong but lacks explosiveness, which could create diverging opinions regarding his position and how best to play him,” Zierlein said. “He’s heavy-handed and physical but will never be confused for a playmaker on the edge. He’s best suited as a cubicle defender where his power and length can benefit him in smaller spaces.

“He has played heavier in the past and teams might ask him to pack the pounds back on in order to compete as a run-defending interior lineman in an odd or even front.”