Cincinnati Bengals rookie Jeffrey Gunter is making a strong impression during training camp, showcasing his pass-rushing abilities even against first-string competition. The 2022 seventh-round pick (252nd overall) has been particularly effective in padded practices, consistently winning battles against offensive linemen.

Gunter expressed enthusiasm about his training camp experience, noting the valuable learning opportunity from veteran teammates Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard. "I ain't hit nobody since my bowl game, so I was excited," Gunter told The Athletic. "Today was a good day. I learned a lot of stuff, and I think I made some plays."

His performance has caught the attention of key teammates, including nose tackle DJ Reader, who praised Gunter's eagerness to learn and improve. The rookie's camp success builds on an impressive college career at Coastal Carolina, where he recorded:

• 17 total sacks
• 38.5 tackles for loss
• 5.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss in his senior year (2021)
• 75.3 PFF pass-rush grade (ranked 60th among 825 graded college players)

While Gunter still needs to prove himself in preseason games, his strong training camp performance suggests he could earn a spot in the Bengals' pass rush rotation. His development would add depth to an already formidable defensive line, potentially making him one of the steals of the 2022 NFL Draft.

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