Star DE Princely Umanmielen shares major difference between Ole Miss and Florida

It didn't take defensive end Princely Umanmielen long to realize there was a big difference between playing at Ole Miss and Florida. As Umanmielen tells it, he's much better off with the Rebels.

"I feel like at Florida ... the way I was coached it was kind of like ... they was just telling me to go out there and use my talent," he told On3.

"But here ... they're really on me about the little things," he continued, noting that coaches stress areas including "attacking the run" and his assignments in pass coverages.

"When I was at Florida they would just tell me to go drop to this area, and I would have to figure everything else out on my own," said Umanmielen.

After watching the Gators last season, it's clear he's telling the truth. 

Florida's defense allowed a school-record 701 yards of offense in a 52-35 loss to LSU as it finished 5-7, its third consecutive losing season.

Umanmielen's comments are damning to Gators head coach Billy Napier, who's entering a pivotal third season in Gainesville.

It doesn't speak well to the program he's built that a player feels like Napier's staff is coasting on the talent it recruits. 

It not only could be a deterrent to future prospects but might also sway players contemplating entering the spring transfer portal, which opens on April 15.

Last season, Umanmielen led the Gators with 11.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks. With better coaching, he could have an even bigger season in 2024.