Early Enrollee Profile: Georgia EDGE Samuel M'Pemba
Another year, another massive early enrollee group for Georgia football. The Bulldogs welcomed 18 players to campus this January, on the heels of their second National Championship in as many seasons.
It’s well-known at this point how much enrolling early enhances a newcomer’s chances of playing in his first season. The benefits are many. Players get to get acclimated to college life, get a jumpstart on their education, and go through winter workouts plus spring drills.
Spring drills are now underway and the Bulldogs are in week two. We’re forging with the series with a look at a pass rusher with a great deal of potential.
EDGE Samuel M’Pemba
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 44 overall, No. 6 EDGE, and No. 12 in Florida
On3 Scouting: “Physically-developed two-way athlete, with the highest projected ceiling as an EDGE prospect. Played as a pass rusher and wide receiver at his initial high school prior to transferring to IMG Academy as a junior. Primarily played as a tight end/h-back at IMG during the fall of 2021. A strong athlete with dip and feel for rushing the passer. Had considerable murkiness around his ultimate position. Practicing at EDGE in the spring for IMG and looks primed to make an impact as a pass rusher. Measured at 6-foot-3.5, 240 pounds with a 6-foot-10 wing-span prior to his senior season. Tests as a solid to good athlete, clocking an electronically-timed 4.94 second 40-yard dash prior to his senior season. Would benefit greatly from a permanent move to defense as a senior, in our opinion.Practicing at EDGE in the spring and looks good there. Can continue to improve initial quickness but savvy and has natural pass rush ability.”
The Story….
Outside linebacker was a huge focus for Georgia in the 2023 class and M’Pemba was a top target for a long time. Several teams got involved but none of them really challenged Georgia when it mattered most. Tennessee took a good swing but came up empty. Miami, Florida, and Missouri, his home-state school, also tried to get a serious look. But whether it was the winning or the need, Georgia had M’Pemba’s eye for most of the recruiting process.
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Where M’Pemba fits…
He’s a tremendous athlete but he’s also quite raw. M’Pemba hasn’t been playing football as long as most top prospects. His development began in the seventh grade. As his scouting report states, he was on the offensive side of the ball in 2021 before shifting over to play defense. Stud UGA defensive tackle Jalen Carter had a similar path.
We’ve actually gotten a look at M’Pemba on the practice field and he’s as physically developed as any player in that group regardless of class. He has a tremendously high ceiling as an edge player whether he’s in a two-point or three-point stance.
Expectations this spring…
It’s all about getting acclimated, conditioning, and developing into a physical football player. M’Pemba’s raw tools are undeniable. He’s naturally powerful and twitchy. But can the UGA staff team up with the former four-star prospect to build him into a bonafide football player. If the answer to that questions is yes, we might be talking about a guy who makes life changing money when he enters the NFL Draft one day. If not, those raw tools give him the ability to be an impactful college football player even if he doesn’t reach his ceiling.
