The college football season is approaching. There is always debate over ranking the best players in the sport. Here are the top 25 college football edge rushers heading into the 2023 season.
Note: While projection of what a player can be is taken into account, most rankings are from what has been seen on the field so far. These are not NFL Draft rankings, but rather focus on the best players in college football.
Top College Football Edge Rushers
25-21
25. J.J. Weaver, Kentucky Wildcats
Weaver has bounced between being an edge rusher and a traditional linebacker. He had 6.5 sacks in 2021 and 3.5 sacks in 2022. It seems like he’ll be rushing the passer more in 2023, which should have him see a boost in production.
24. Tre’mon Morris-Brash, UCF Knights
Morris-Brash had 13 tackles for loss and six sacks last season in the AAC. Now he is getting a chance to rush in the Big 12.
23. Adisa Isaac, Penn State Nittany Lions
In 2022, Isaac had 4.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss. He will have Chop Robinson across from him, so his production can be improved.
22. Brennan Jackson, Washington State Cougars
During his four seasons, Jackson has improved each year. He had 12 tackles for loss and six sacks in 2022. Jackson will have a lot of big games against some of the country’s best quarterbacks to prove himself.
21. Joe Evans, Iowa Hawkeyes
It seems like Iowa puts a defensive end in the NFL Draft each season and Evans could be next up. In his last two seasons, he has seven and 6.5 sacks respectively.
20-16
20. Rondell Bothroyd, Oklahoma Sooners
Bothroyd has had plenty of production over the last few seasons at Wake Forest. He has 31 tackles for loss and 15.5 sacks in his career. Now, he will join Oklahoma’s defense.
19. Chico Bennett, Virginia Cavaliers
Bennett started his career at Georgia Tech, but really took a step forward when he transferred to Virginia. Last season, he had 7.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks.
18. Akheem Mesidor, Miami Hurricanes
Mesidor had two solid seasons at West Virginia, then really improved at Miami in 2022. He finished the season with 10.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks.
17. Jasheen Davis, Wake Forest Demon Deacons
After a solid 2021 season, Davis improved in 2022 with 14 tackles for loss and seven sacks. His pass rush partner, Rondell Bothroyd, is now at Oklahoma so a lot more focus will be placed on him.
16. Zion Tupuola-Fetui, Washington Huskies
Tupuola-Fetui has battled injuries his whole career, but is successful when he is on the field. The highlight of his career is posting seven sacks and seven tackles for loss in a shortened 2020 season. He had a decent season in 2022 with 5.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.
15-11
15. Jack Sawyer, Ohio State Buckeyes
As a rotational rusher over his first two seasons, Sawyer has 9.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. Now, he gets more of a full-time role to show what he can do.
14. Ethan Downs, Oklahoma Sooners
While he only had 4.5 sacks last season, Downs showed he can affect the game in a few ways, as he also had 13.5 tackles for loss. With Downs and Bothroyd, Oklahoma has a good set of edge defenders.
13. Princely Umanmielen, Florida Gators
Umanmielen has 13 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks in his career. Last season was his best yet, as he totaled 9.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.
12. Grayson Murphy, UCLA Bruins
After a successful two seasons at North Texas, Murphy and his twin brother Gabriel transferred to UCLA. Grayson had a good first season as a Bruin with nine tackles for loss and five sacks.
11. Cedric Johnson, Ole Miss Rebels
The 2022 season was a little down for Johnson. In his three seasons of college football at Ole Miss, he has 15.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks.
10-6
10. Barryn Sorrell, Texas Longhorns
He played sparingly in 2021, but then Sorrell really broke out in 2022. Sorrell had nine tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. It looks like big things are on the horizon for Sorrell.
9. Mykel Williams, Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia has plenty of talented defensive linemen and Williams still found a way to make an impact as a freshman in 2022. He totaled 6.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. With more playing time and experience, his impact will only grow.
8. Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College Eagles
Ezeiruaku had a great 2022 season to put him on the map. He finished the season with 14.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks.
7. Laiatu Latu, UCLA Bruins
UCLA found a star in Latu last season, as he had 12.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks. Another season like that will have Latu climbing up draft boards.
6. Collin Oliver, Oklahoma State Cowboys
In 2021, Oliver had 15.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks. His production dipped in 2022, but he still had a solid season with 7.5 tackles for loss and five sacks.
5-1
5. Chop Robinson, Penn State Nittany Lions
Robinson had a good start to his career at Maryland and then transferred to Penn State. He had an impressive first season with the Nittany Lions with 10 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.
4. J.T. Tuimoloau, Ohio State Buckeyes
Tuimoloau has 15 tackles for loss and seven sacks in his first two seasons at Ohio State. He has shown that he can take over a game, much like he did against Penn State last season.
3. Dallas Turner, Alabama Crimson Tide
Turner immediately started producing for Alabama in 2021. In his career, he has 18 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks. Another good season he could help him be the first edge rusher selected in the 2024 NFL Draft.
2. Bralen Trice, Washington Huskies
After a solid 2021, Trice had a great 2022 season. He finished the year with 12 tackles for loss and nine sacks. His return to the Huskies’ defense is a big reason why Washington has so many preseason expectations.
1. Jared Verse, Florida State Seminoles
Verse started his career at Albany and then transferred to Florida State. He had a better season than most people thought would be possible with 17 tackles for loss and nine sacks. Verse is the leader in the clubhouse to be the first edge rusher selected in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Other Notable Edge Rushers Outside the Top 25
Chaz Chambliss, Georgia Bulldogs
Chambliss has had some decent production in his first two seasons, but now steps into a bigger role.
Fadil Diggs, Texas A&M Aggies
Diggs has improved every season at Texas A&M, but he needs to do so again to make this list.
Brandon Dorlus, Oregon Ducks
Places like PFF will rank Dorlus higher, but he needs more sack production to make the list.
Gabriel Murphy, UCLA Bruins
Murphy is a good all-around defensive end and needs to bring the quarterback down a little more often.
Ron Stone Jr., Washington State Cougars
A good 2021 season gets him recognition, but Stone Jr. only had two sacks last season.
Xavier Thomas, Clemson Tigers
Thomas has plenty of talent, but he only had two sacks last season before getting injured. His season high for sack total is just 4.5, so he needs to prove he is healthy this season.
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