Top 10 EDGEs in the updated On300 rankings

On3 has updated its player rankings for the Class of 2024, and some of the nation’s top EDGE recruits are featured prominently.

The pass-rushing specialist spot features three five-stars this cycle — down a bit from previous years. But the nation’s No. 1 overall recruit by On3 is in the position group, as are two other Five-Star Plus+ prospects.

Let’s assess the top EDGE recruits in the senior class:

1) Williams Nwaneri – Missouri commit

School: Lee’s Summit (Mo.) North
On300 Ranking: No. 1
Scouting Summary: “Williams Nwaneri is the most physically-gifted defensive line prospect in the 2024 cycle. Has an elite frame, measuring in at over 6-foot-6, 260 pounds and an 11-inch hand. Has elite length, with arms that measure in at over 36 inches. Moves very well for his size. Backed that up with a very strong 1.72 second 10-yard split at the UC Report’s Kansas City camp prior to his senior season. Also shows fluidity with change of direction in the camp setting. Flashed some of his high-end potential as a sophomore, but took a step as a junior. Finished his junior campaign with 22 tackles for loss and 12 sacks while helping his team to the state title game. Shows the ability to create disruption from multiple spots on the defensive line. The elite combination of length and athleticism creates mismatches, particularly as an interior pass rusher. Has improved his hands over time, flashing a budding swim move as a junior. Possesses the ability to neutralize linemen with his length. Displays very good flexibility with the ability to dip and bend around the edge. A loose, fluid mover in pursuit. Has the range and athleticism to run down skill players from behind. Improving his technical skill at the position but has immense upside and capacity for improvement. Can also continue to improve as a run defender and edge setter. Could project to a number of spots along the defensive front including along the edge, but looks to be a defensive lineman long-term given his frame and potential to add substantial mass.”

2) Colin Simmons – Texas commit

School: Duncanville (Texas)
On300 Ranking: No. 4
Scouting Summary: “Colin Simmons is a speed rushing dynamo who stars for one of the top high school programs in Texas. Arguably the most dominant defensive player in the 2024 cycle, registering 22.5 sacks as a junior while playing in Texas’ highest classification. Measured at around 6-foot-2.5, 225 pounds with a 34-inch arm prior to his senior season. Grew around an inch as a sophomore. Primarily lines up at defensive end for Duncanville. Uses first-step quickness, play speed and dip to create issues for opposing offensive tackles. Shows good curvilinear movement with his ability to turn corners as a pass rusher. Length aids in disengaging from offensive linemen, finishing plays and disrupting passing lanes. Looks to play with a very strong effort level. Has an innate knack for disrupting passing lanes, batting down a number of passes as a junior. Took over the state title game in a key second-half sequence that led to Duncanville’s win. Has a smaller frame than most elite EDGE prospects and will need to put on weight early on in college to aid in his ability to hold up against the run.”

3) Dylan Stewart – South Carolina commit

School: Washington (D.C.) Friendship Academy
On300 Ranking: No. 12
Scouting Summary: “Dylan Stewart is a big, athletic pass rusher with the most complete physical skill set among 2024 EDGE prospects. Measured at 6-foot-5, 250 pounds with a 33.5-inch arm and 10.5-inch hand prior to his senior season. Added around 20 pounds of mass during his junior year. Clocked 40 yard dashes in the 4.6 second range at college camps as a rising junior. Has rare movement skills at his size. Flies around the field with a burst that pops off the screen. Lines up all over the front seven at his high school. Often plays in a two-point stance, both as a stand up rusher and off-ball linebacker. Shows high-end flexibility as a pass rusher. Stays low and turns the corner at high speeds with strong curvilinear movement. Dangerous on stunts and twists. Closes extremely quickly behind the line of scrimmage. Strong finisher in part due to his combination of speed and size. Finished his junior season with 16 sacks, which stacks up on the high end among his peers. Will need to continue developing to maximize his considerable talent.”

4) Marquise Lightfoot – Miami commit

School: Chicago (Ill.) Kenwood Academy
On300 Ranking: No. 43
Scouting Summary: “Marquise Lightfoot is an explosive EDGE prospect who stands out due to his athleticism and effort level on Friday nights. Measured in at over 6-foot-5, 220 pounds prior to his senior season. Has solid length for the position. A twitchy, quick athlete who turned in strong marks with his change of direction in the combine setting. Parlays that burst onto the field. Lines up both as a traditional defensive end and as a stand up pass rusher. Makes eye-popping plays in backside pursuit. Tracks down ball carriers from behind, making high-level individual plays. Shows good first step quickness, darting into the backfield. Takes on blocks and works to hold his ground as a run defender. Plays with intensity and a high effort level. Productive as a junior, tallying 122 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 9 sacks. Also plays tight end, where he made some big plays as a pass-catcher. Will need to hone his pass rush technique at the next level as he is making most of his plays with pure athleticism and effort. Does not look to have an overly large frame, but has solid size at 220 pounds. Younger for the class with an April birthday.”

5) Jordan Ross – Tennessee commit

School: Birmingham (Ala.) Vestavia Hills
On300 Ranking: No. 45
Scouting Summary: “Jordan Ross is an athletic EDGE prospect with the physical ability to develop into a dangerous pass rusher. Measured in 6-foot-4.5, 215 pounds with a 33.5-inch arm prior to his senior season. Registers as a top athlete in the combine setting. Posted a 4.68 second electronically-timed 40-yard dash at Under Armour’s Atlanta camp prior to his senior season. Lines up all over the field for his high school. Works on the edge and as an off-ball linebacker at times. Makes most of his plays as a pursuit defender, using his athleticism and range to track down plays from sideline-to-sideline. Has palpable burst and play speed. Needs to improve his technical skill as a pass rusher and increase his play strength, base and anchor. Flashes his athleticism as a basketball player. Younger for the cycle with a May birthday.”

6) Elijah Rushing – Arizona commit

School: Tucson (Ariz.) Salpointe Catholic
On300 Ranking: No. 62
Scouting Summary: “Elijah Rushing is a tall, angular pass rusher with the ability to get after the passer due to his quickness and length. Measured between 6-foot-5 and 6-foot-6 and around 230 pounds as a junior. Has solid length for the position. Productive pass rusher who feasts on mismatched offensive linemen. Primarily lines up wide both in a three-point stance and as a stand up rusher. Plays with good quickness. Shows an effective long arm getting his hands inside the body of opposing offensive linemen. Plays with a good effort level and chases the ball as a pursuit defender. Productive as a junior, notching 11.5 sacks. A solid, not spectacular athlete at the position. Can play high and stand to add functional strength. Was neutralized when facing Power 5 offensive line prospects as a junior.”

7) CJ Jackson – Georgia Tech commit

School: Tucker (Ga.)
On300 Ranking: No. 64
Scouting Summary: “CJ Jackson is an active speed rusher who creates constant disruption due to his quickness and hair-on-fire effort level. Measured in at over 6-foot-3, around 220 pounds prior to his senior season. Has good length for the position, with arms that measure 33.75 inches. Has notable play speed. Shows high-level quickness, firing off the snap. Redirects quickly with lateral movements. Capable of winning with pure speed, but also shows the ability to hit offensive tackles with up and under and hesitation moves. Shows outstanding speed in pursuit. Closes very quickly. Plays with a high effort level. Plays with a willing level of physicality and throws his body around as a run defender, despite being lighter. Will need to add mass to aid in anchoring against the run. Has solid size but is not as overly imposing as some other blue-chip EDGE prospects.”

8) Danny Okoye – Oklahoma commit

School: Tulsa (Okla.) NOAH Homeschool
On300 Ranking: No. 66
Scouting Summary: “Danny Okoye is one of the more physically-gifted EDGE prospects in the 2024 cycle. Developed with a muscled, thick build. Listed at around 6-foot-4, 240 pounds. A twitchy, athletic player. Has a bunch of strength in the weight room, which transfers over to the field. An explosive pass rusher who wins with first-step quickness, speed to power and closing speed. A violent finisher behind the line of scrimmage. Finished his junior season with 16 tackles for loss. Also plays some offense and moonlights as a pass-catcher on the 7-on-7 circuit. Plays very low level competition, competing in a home school league. Will have to make a huge adjustment to the uptick in competition as he joins a Power 5 program. Older for the cycle, turning 19 years-old early on in his senior season. Will be a 20 year-old college freshman.”

9) Mylachi Williams – Penn State commit

School: Philadelphia (Pa.) Monsignor Bonner
On300 Ranking: No. 68
Scouting Summary:

10) Cheta Ofili – Texas Tech commit

School: Sachse (Texas)
On300 Ranking: No. 84
Scouting Summary: “Cheta Ofili is a high-upside speed rusher who registers as the most athletic EDGE prospect in the 2024 cycle. Measured at close to 6-foot-4, 210 pounds prior to his senior season. Touts elite length for the position with arms that measure 34.5 inches. Tests as the most explosive EDGE prospect and among the best jumbo athletes in the 2024 cycle in the combine setting. Fast and twitchy in camps. An extremely loose mover in addition to his considerable burst. Has a bouncy fluidity that is rare. Hips are on a swivel and has outstanding ankle flexion. A disruptive presence off the edge on Friday nights. Finds ways to affect the play even if he doesn’t finish behind the line of scrimmage. Has an effective and budding up-and-under move. Capacity to bend the edge is there and should come with more coaching and experience. Stalks down plays in pursuit. Uses his length to disrupt passing lanes. Has the natural tools to be a high-end pass rusher, but is still developing. Needs to improve his first step and finishing. Upside is as high as any prospect at the position in the 2024 cycle. Older for the class, turning 19 years-old in January of his senior year.”