Top EDGE prospects in the 2026 recruiting class

The 2026 cycle is absolutely loaded with elite talent at the EDGE position. Many of those top prospects remain uncommitted heading into the summer.

Of the 44 blue-chip EDGE recruits in the 2026 cycle, per the On3 Industry Ranking, just 15 are currently committed. That includes just eight of the top 25 and three of the top 10.

Thirteen teams have a commitment from a four or five-star EDGE to date. Notre Dame and Texas A&M are the lone programs to have a pair thus far.

Below are the top EDGE prospects in the 2026 — including three commits — as well as who’s in position to land some of the top uncommitted players at the position:

1. Zion Elee — Maryland commit

School: Baltimore St. Frances Academy
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 5 NATL.

Scouting Summary: “Electric speed rusher with an elite combination of athleticism and length off the edge. Measured around 6-foot-3, 220 pounds prior to his junior season. Has truly elite length, with arms that measure 35.5 inches. Pairs the rare length with top-shelf athleticism. A standout in the combine setting who transfers the speed over to the field. Plays with an eye-popping burst, dating back to his sophomore year at Joppatowne (Md.) High. Explodes into the backfield with high-end first-step quickness. Transferred to Baltimore power St. Frances Academy for his junior season and turned in a strong campaign, racking up 28 tackles for loss and 10 sacks against top competition. Showed game-wrecking tendencies in showcase games. Often plays as a standup pass rusher. Has blow-by speed off the edge. Play strength and ability to set the edge is solid but will need to continue improving. Rare athletic and physical traits combined with consecutive years of high-level production make him the top EDGE prospect in the 2026 cycle entering his senior season.”

2. Rodney Dunham — Notre Dame commit

School: Charlotte Myers Park
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 16 NATL.

Dunham on his commitment: “Just the opportunities that they brought to me outside of football and with football,” Dunham told On3. “You’re getting developed by the best and you’re playing with the best, but also you’re getting a world class education and great degree with amazing people around you. That’s what attracted me the most.”

“I’d always go on a visit and compare each school to Notre Dame and say it doesn’t give everything Notre Dame has. There is only one place like Notre Dame and it’s Notre Dame. I grew up and realized the cold doesn’t matter. I have to play in the cold some day. Then I picked the school for me.”

3. Anthony Jones

School: Mobile (Ala.) St. Paul’s Episcopal
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 18 NATL.

The Skinny: It’s been a lowkey recruitment for Jones to date, though there are a wave of schools near the top of his process. Back in February, he told On3’s Chad Simmons that Alabama was among his “top three.” The in-state Crimson Tide and Auburn are both expected to be in the mix until the end. Texas A&M, Oregon and LSU are other schools that are pushing hard to land the newly-tabbed five-star.

4. Jamarion Carlton

School: Temple (Texas)
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 32 NATL.

The Skinny: It’s going to be tough to pull Carlton out of the Lone Star State. He took an official visit to Texas Tech over the weekend and also has OVs locked in with SMU, Texas and Baylor. LSU is also in the fold and is the top out-of-state contender to date. The Longhorns are currently trending to land the 6-foot-4.5, 230-pounder, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

5. Carter Meadows

School: Washington D.C. Gonzaga
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 34 NATL.

The Skinny: On3’s No. 6 overall recruit, Meadows looks to still have a wide-open recruitment, with Michigan, South Carolina, Ohio State, Penn State and North Carolina among those currently contending. The Wolverines currently have the edge in the On3 RPM and have locked in a June 20 official visit. Meadows is the top-ranked recruit out of D.C. this cycle.

6. Jake Kreul

School: Orlando IMG Academy
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 36 NATL.

The Skinny: Kreul took the next step in his recruitment this week and locked in five official visits, beginning with a trip to Colorado this weekend. Ohio State, Florida, Texas and Oklahoma will get him back to campus this summer. The Sooners and the Buckeyes are at the top of the On3 RPM to date. Kreul continues to see his stock rise ahead of his senior campaign.

7. Richard Wesley

School: Los Angeles Sierra Canyon
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 47 NATL.

The Skinny: The No. 8 player in California this cycle, Wesley has many of the national college football powers gunning for his pledge. Predictions have Oregon trending in the On3 RPM, though USC, Ohio State, Texas, Florida State, Penn State and Tennessee are among those working to crack his top list. The Ducks and Buckeyes were among those to get Wesley on campus last month.

8. Luke Wafle

School: Middletown (N.J.) Hun School
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 50 NATL.

The Skinny: Another outlier in the On300 — ranking No. 14 nationally — Wafle has been all over the country this spring visiting top programs. North Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio State, Syracuse, Florida, Penn State, Oklahoma, USC and Texas have all had him on campus. A top schools list looks to be on the horizon, followed by an official visit schedule.

9. Simote Katoanga — USC commit

School: Rancho Santa Margarita (Calif.) Catholic
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 61 NATL.

Katoanga on his commitment: “Coach D’Anton Lynn, coach Shaun Nua, coach Eric Henderson and coach Lincoln Riley make me feel needed and like a priority,” Katoanga said when he announced his decision. “I love what they are building and can’t wait to see what the future looks like.

“It’s a great environment, culture, and staff. I think what excites me the most about the opportunity to play at USC is the chance to bring USC back to a National Title and the way I can be versatile on the whole defensive line!”

10. Trenton Henderson

School: Pensacola (Fla.) Catholic
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 63 NATL.

The Skinny: Henderson has rearranged his official visit schedule after some spring trips and is now set to log OVs to Auburn, LSU, Michigan, Florida and USC. He told On3’s Chad Simmons last month that those five programs are currently “standing out.” Hugh Freeze and the Tigers are currently trending in the On3 RPM, though plenty of time is left in the 6-foot-4, 225-pounder’s process.

EDGEs No. 11-20

11. Bryce Perry-Wright
12. Jaquez Wilkes
13. Tristian Givens
14. Hezekiah Harris — Auburn commit
15. Khamari Brooks

16. Kevin Ford
17. Ebenezer Ewetade — Notre Dame commit
18. Jamarion Matthews — Alabama commit
19. Jordan Carter — Texas A&M commit
20. Landon Barnes