Top EDGE prospects in the 2026 Rivals Industry Rankings

Across college football, the important of recruiting elite pass-rushers is as apparent as its ever been. Finding players who can not only get to the quarterback, but also slow down the opponents’ rushing attack is vital.

And because of that, the nation’s top EDGE recruits are some of the most sought-after players on the board — regardless of position. In the 2026 class, five currently rank as five-star prospects and 10 rank among the top 60 recruits nationally. They’ve been some of the country’s most heavily pursued targets and will continue to be until National Signing Day in December.

With just under two months until ink hits paper, here’s the top 10 EDGE prospects in the cycle:

1. Zion Elee — Maryland commit

School: Baltimore St. Frances Academy
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 2 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. Richard Wesley — Texas commit

School: Sierra Canyon (Los Angeles, CA)
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 10

Scouting Summary: “Versatile edge defender that wins with power and speed as a pass rusher that possesses advanced hand usage for his age. Verified 6-foot-4.5, 245 pounds with above average length. Impressive athlete in the combine setting as well as on the track running 11.67 in the 100m during his sophomore track and field season. Variety of pass rush moves including swims, rips, long arms and a ghost move. Stout run defender that can set the edge and displace blockers at the point of attack. Collected 16 tackles-for-loss and 9 sacks during his sophomore season. Reclassified from the 2027 cycle to the 2026 cycle so will be a year younger than most of his peers in the class. Versatile skillset allows him to project to a strong-side or weak-side end. Has the ability to play with his hand in the dirt or stand up off the edge and should excel as a three-down edge defender at the next level.”

3. Rodney Dunham — Notre Dame commit

School: Charlotte Myers Park
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 15 NATL.

Scouting Summary: “Athletic pass rusher with the skill set and functional movement skills that point to a high upside. Measured at around 6-foot-4, 215 pounds with good length as a junior. Lines up on the edge for his high school team, rushing the passer out of two and three-point stances. Limber athlete who has very smooth movements. Displays outstanding get-off, bursting off the snap. Has excellent curvilinear movement skills, showing the ability to accelerate while rounding the edge. Dips his shoulder to shirk contact with offensive tackles. Closes quickly on ball carriers once in the backfield. Play speed is evident as he stalks down ball carriers from behind. Shows burgeoning power at the point of attack, shedding offensive linemen once engaged. Will need to continue developing from a physical and technical standpoint. Could stand to improve his production. A younger prospect for the cycle, turning 18 years old in July before his freshman season of college football.”

4. Anthony Jones — Oregon commit

School: Mobile (Ala.) St. Paul’s Episcopal
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 23 NATL.

Scouting Summary: “Powerful, physical EDGE prospect who wins with brute strength and high effort. Measured in at around 6-foot-2.5, 245 pounds with 33.25-inch arms before his senior season. Initially began his career as a linebacker before growing into an EDGE prospect. A productive defender who plays with his hair on fire. Very powerful. Converts speed to power, showing the ability to walk offensive tackles into the backfield. Has a dangerous long arm. Makes hustle plays, running down defenders in backside pursuit. A strong finisher behind the line of scrimmage. Also sees time on offense as a tight end and short-yardage ball-carrier. State champion in the shot put (58-4.5 feet) and discus (161-5 feet) as a junior. Does not possess some of the overwhelming physical traits or elite athleticism of some of his highly rated peers. A high-floor prospect who should enter college with a level of physical development that could have him primed for an early contribution.”

5. Carter Meadows — Michigan

School: Washington D.C. Gonzaga
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 30 NATL.

Scouting Summary: “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.”Rangy EDGE prospect with a rare combination of frame and movement skills. One of the most physically impressive prospects in the 2026 cycle. Measured in at around 6-foot-6, 225 pounds as a junior. Has vines for arms that measure around 35 inches to go with large hands. Could easily be a 280-pounder before it’s all said and done. Pairs the great frame with impressive functional athleticism A fluid, flexible athlete who has excellent bend. Has the natural tools to develop into a dangerous pass rusher down the line. Length pairs with good play strength to result in an effective edge setter. Also shows his athleticism in tracking down plays in pursuit. Doubles as a good high school basketball player while playing top competition on the hardwood. Will need to continue progressing as a pass rusher while upping his production. Pure physical upside is among the highest in the 2026 cycle.”

6. Trenton Henderson — LSU

School: Pensacola (Fla.) Catholic
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 35 NATL.

The Skinny: Despite not playing in one of the state’s most talent-rich areas, Henderson has proven himself time and time again to be one of the Sunshine State’s best. Following a solid sophomore campaign, he racked up 50 tackles, including 18 TFLs, 20 hurries, 10 sacks and six pass breakups as a junior. Similar to others on this list, he had opportunities to stay home and play in-state, but opted to pledge to LSU at the beginning of July.

7. Bryce Perry-Wright – Texas A&M

School: Buford (Buford, GA)
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 37 NATL.

The Skinny: Playing for state and national powerhouse Buford, Perry-Wright has been on the national radar for most of his high school career. He anchors one of the Peach State’s best defenses in 2025, with Buford off to an undefeated start. Even though he is often facing double teams, he has already totaled 48 tackles, eight tackles for loss and three sacks for the top-ranked Wolves.

8. Jake Kreul — Oklahoma

School: IMG Academy (Fla.)
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 41 NATL.

The Skinny: Kruel opted to transfer from Bishop Moore in Orlando to IMG for his final two seasons of high school football. As a sophomore for the Hornets, he was an absolute menace to offensive lines. Along with 76 total tackles, he notched 34 tackles for loss and a whopping 17 sacks. Playing alongside tons of Division I talent at IMG, he still managed to total 39 tackles, six sacks and 11 QB hurries last fall. He chose Oklahoma over Texas and Ole Miss on Aug. 12 in a massive win for the Sooners. Through six games this season, he has been in on 25 total tackles, notching 11 TFLs and a pair of sacks.

9. Luke Wafle – USC

School: Middletown (N.J.) Hun School
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 45 NATL.

Scouting Summary: “The most ready-to-play top EDGE prospect in the 2026 cycle. Measured over 6-foot-5, 255 pounds with arms over 33 inches and big hands prior to his senior season. More physically mature than many of his highly-rated peers. Combines play strength and motor with functional athleticism. Wins at the point of attack with a powerful punch and the ability to convert speed to power. Uses quick power swipes to disengage from offensive linemen. Shows multiple pass-rush pathways and closing speed to finish behind the line of scrimmage. Nimble mover who breaks down well in space. A violent finisher who drives ball carriers into the ground. Strong, consistent run defender due to physicality and effort. Logged 18 TFLs and 8 sacks in nine games as a junior. Best fit as a true defensive end in a four-man front at the college level. First-step quickness remains an area for improvement. Touts a strong multi-sport background with above-the-rim bounce on the basketball court and a 45-6 foot shot put mark. Slightly older for the grade, common for northeastern prep school prospects. Could be primed for an impact as a true freshman given his level of development and physical maturity.”

10. Jamarion Carlton — Baylor

School: Temple (Texas)
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 60 NATL.

Scouting Summary: “Physically-gifted EDGE prospect with the dimensions and athleticism that point to a high upside. Measured in at 6-foot-4, 240, with arms close to 35 inches with 10-inch hands as a junior. Has a big-time frame that should be able to easily tack on weight once in a college strength program. Lines up at defensive end for his high school. Flashes the athleticism, showing glimpses of first-step quickness. Impressive play speed, tracking down ball carriers in pursuit. Has the size to set the edge as a run defender. Finished his junior season with 11 tackles for loss and five sacks. Athletic, above-the-rim basketball player also throws the shot put in track and field. Still figuring things out from a technical standpoint. Must improve his hands and ability to get off blocks, while also growing in his pass rush technique. Less developed and productive than most other highly touted EDGE prospects, but has the upside to develop into an early round draft pick if he shows steady improvement in college.”