Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
Stadium Rant
A Controversial Ranking Of The Top 10 Edge Rushers In College Football
By William Luke Hendrick,
3 days ago
After the success of the offensive side of the ball in college football ranking, it's time to turn our attention to the defense.
We will start with the top ten edge rushers in college football, with a few honorable mentions, whether it's a transfer player or a player who has been in his program for a few years.
Honorable Mentions:
Trey Moore, Texas
Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Virginia Tech
Mykel Williams, Georgia
Collin Oliver, Oklahoma State
Jacob Manu, Arizona
Patrick Payton, Florida State
10. Josaiah Stewart, Michigan Wolverines
2023 Stats: 5.5 sacks, 38 total tackles, zero forced fumbles
Josaiah Stewart played for two seasons at Coastal Carolina, appearing in 25 games and 17 starts. He recorded 79 total tackles, 25 tackles for loss, and 16 sacks, earning All-Sun Belt first-team and All-Sun Belt second-team honors.
In 2023, Stewart took his talents to Ann Arbor, where he didn't skip a beat. He appeared in all 15 games as an edge rusher, leading all defensive linemen in tackles (38) and tackles for loss (8.5), 5.5 sacks, and three quarterback hurries.
9. JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State Buckeyes
2023 Stats: 5 sacks, 38 total tackles, zero forced fumbles
The Buckeyes' highest-rated defensive commit in the modern recruiting era, JT Tuimoloau, broke out as a Sophomore in 2022 after a 28-tackle season, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks, earning First-Team All-Big Ten Conference honors.
He took an even more significant step forward in 2023, logging 28 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and five sacks, earning Second-Team All-America and First-Team All-Big Ten Conference honors. Now, he enters the 2024 season as one of the top defensive ends and a contender for major national awards.
8. Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss Rebels
2023 Stats: 7 sacks, 39 total tackles, zero forced fumbles
Princely Umanmielen transferred from Florida to Ole Miss after leading the Gators in tackles for loss (11.5), sacks (7), and quarterback hurries (17) in 2023. He earned Coaches All-SEC Second Team and AP-All Second Team honors for his efforts.
Now, with the Rebels, he'll form one of the best defensive lines in the SEC with former five-star Walter Nolen and 2023 Rebels sack leader Jared Ivey.
7. Rueben Bain Jr, Miami Hurricanes
2023 Stats: 7.5 sacks, 44 total tackles, three forced fumbles
Rueben Bain Jr. took no time to make his presence known as a true freshman for the Hurricanes. Bain Jr. finished with a team-high 7.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss, earning ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, All-ACC third team, and ESPN's Freshman All-American Team.
To show how dominant he has been since PFF started tracking college football statistics in 2014, only Myles Garrett has a higher pass rush grade as a true freshman than Rueben Bain Jr.
6. Kaimon Rucker, North Carolina Tar Heels
2023 Stats: 8.5 sacks. 61 total tackles, one forced fumble
Kaimon Rucker has been among the most dominant edge rushers over the past two seasons. Per PFF , Rucker leads all edge rushers in wins above metrics, pressures (96), and run-defense stops (42).
5. Abdul Carter, Penn State Nittany Lions
2023 Stats:4.5 sacks, 49 total tackles, one forced fumble
A few years ago, the Nittany Lions' defense featured a game-wrecker in Micah Parsons, and Abdul Carter is the next one in line. Carter has lined up as a linebacker for the past two seasons and is moving to edge this season, yet he still posted a 24.1% pass rush win rate, which would've been third among all edge rushers, per PFF .
4. Ashton Gillotte, Louisville Cardinals
2023 Stats: 11 sacks, 45 total tackles, three forced fumbles
Ashton Gillotte is coming off a breakout season, starting all 13 games, amassing 45 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks. He earned first-team All-ACC honors and second-team All-American Honors by USA Today. Now, he returns for his fourth season with the Cardinals, where he was named Walter Camp Preseason All-American.
3. Jack Sawyer, Ohio State Buckeyes
2023 Stats: 6.5 sacks, 48 total tackles, two forced fumbles
Jack Sawyer lived up to his five-star billing in his first season as a full-time starter, posting team highs in tackles for loss (10) and sacks (6.5), as well as second in tackles (48) and leading all defensive linemen with 24 solo stops. He enters the 2024 season with the second most tackles-for-loss (19.5) and a team-high sacks (14) in his three-year career with the Buckeyes.
2. Nic Scourton, Texas A&M Aggies
2023 Stats: 10 sacks, 50 total tackles, one forced fumble
The former Purdue Boilermaker transferred to Texas A&M this off-season following his breakout year, where he earned second-team All-Big Ten Honors. His 21.3% pass-rush win rate was ninth-best among edge defenders, and he is one of the best run defenders amassing 25 run-defense stops, per PFF .
1. James Pearce Jr, Tennessee Volunteers
2023 Stats: 9.5 sacks, 27 total tackles, two forced fumbles
James Pearce Jr. proved he was one of the top edge rushers in the nation this past season, earning a 21.3% pressure rate and 92.4 pass-rush grade, finishing third among all edge rushers, per PFF. If Pearce Jr. can build off his sophomore season and win with power more consistently, he could be in contention for the No. 1 overall pick in what is seen as a down year for quarterbacks.
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.
Most Popular
Comments / 0