Top 25 College Football Edge Rushers

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 2025 season.

Note: There is some projection in these rankings for the upcoming season. These are not NFL Draft rankings, but rather focus on the best players in college football.

25-21

25. Kobe Stewart, Buffalo Bulls

Stewart racked up 12 tackles for loss and nine sacks in 2024 for Buffalo. He’ll be the best player on the field for a lot of MAC games. 

24. Jimmori Robinson, UTSA Roadrunners

Robinson was a star for UTSA in 2024 with 17 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks. He could’ve left in the transfer portal, but instead decided to return to UTSA. 

23. Will Heldt, Clemson Tigers

Heldt was one of a few key players for Purdue last season, reaching 10 tackles for loss and five sacks. Look for his production to increase at Clemson, where he will be surrounded with other good defensive linemen. 

22. Cashius Howell, Texas A&M Aggies

Howell had nine sacks at Bowling Green in 2023. He transferred to Texas A&M in 2024 and had four as part of a rotation. Now, he will have to provide more of a pass rush with plenty of the Aggies heading to the NFL. 

21. Trey Moore, Texas Longhorns

Texas has a few good edge rushers, giving them a nice rotation to use. Moore tallied 5.5 sacks in 2024 after having 14.5 at UTSA the year before. 

20-16

20. Jayden Virgin-Morgan, Boise State Broncos

Ashton Jeanty gets a lot of the praise for the success of the 2024 Boise State Broncos, but Virgin-Morgan’s pass rush ability helped. He had 10 sacks last season and will try to help Boise return to the CFP this season. 

19. Joshua Josephs, Tennessee Volunteers

While he only had 1.5 sacks, Josephs stepped up against the run last season for Tennessee. He’ll look to have more than the nine tackles for loss he notched in 2024. 

18. Derrick Moore, Michigan Wolverines

Moore’s production dipped from five sacks to four sacks last season, but he still has plenty of talent and should lead the Wolverines in sacks for the season. 

17. Patrick Payton, LSU Tigers

Florida State had a bad season in 2024 and Payton’s production dipped himself. Following seven sacks in 2023, he had just four in 2024. If he returns to form, LSU’s defense can take a huge jump this season. 

16. Beau Atkinson, Ohio State Buckeyes

Ohio State have plenty of edge rushers in the rotation, but Atkinson is the most accomplished with 7.5 sacks last season. The North Carolina transfer can help the others get constant pressure on quarterbacks. 

15-11

15. Eric O’Neill, Rutgers Scarlet Knights

O’Neill totaled 19 tackles for loss and 13 sacks at James Madison last season. He will now suit up for Rutgers and have a chance to prove himself in the Big Ten. 

14. Tyreak Sapp, Florida Gators

Sapp had seven sacks in 2024 for the Gators as the team improved. He is on pace to have another good season and maybe push Florida to contention in the SEC. 

13. Trey White, San Diego State Aztecs

After not registering a sack in his first two seasons at SDSU, White broke out and had 12.5 last season. Look for him to post another great season in the Mountain West after returning to the Aztecs. 

12. LT Overton, Alabama Crimson Tide

Overton is a huge edge rusher who had just two sacks in his first season with Alabama. This season, his ability to move for his size should shine through. 

11. Gabe Jacas, Illinois Fighting Illini

Jacas tallied eight sacks last season for Illinois. His pass rush, along with plenty of returning starters, gives Illinois a lot of potential during the 2025 season. 

10-6

10. David Bailey, Texas Tech Red Raiders

Bailey improved every year at Stanford, finishing last season with a career-best seven sacks. Now he and a bunch of other transfers join Texas Tech as they hope to compete in the Big 12. 

9. R. Mason Thomas, Oklahoma Sooners

Thomas had nine sacks last season to really put his name on the map. Oklahoma has a tough schedule in 2025 and he’ll need to step up if they are to compete. 

8. Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State Nittany Lions

Dennis-Sutton could’ve gone pro last season, but opted to return to Penn State. He had 8.5 sacks last season and will now have to help generate more of a pass rush without Abdul Carter. 

7. Mikail Kamara, Indiana Hoosiers

Kamara followed coach Curt Cignetti from James Madison to Indiana last season and still improved his stat line. With 10 sacks last season, a lot is expected of Kamara in 2025. 

6. Keldric Faulk, Auburn Tigers

Faulk had seven sacks and 11 tackles for loss last season and Auburn doesn’t always put him in the best spots to get sacks. If he is used better this season, Faulk could have even more production. 

5-1

5. Rueben Bain, Miami Hurricanes

After registering 7.5 sacks as a freshman, Bain only had 3.5 last season as he battled with injuries. If he is healthy, he should return to form this season. 

4. Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon Ducks

Uiagalelei jumped from two sacks in 2023 to 10.5 in 2024. He has improved his NFL Draft stock, but also has been highly productive for Oregon.

3. Dylan Stewart, South Carolina Gamecocks

Stewart was part of a good South Carolina defensive line last season and contributed with 11 tackles for loss and  6.5 sacks. He will now be expected to be a leader on the defensive front and provide even more production.

2. Colin Simmons, Texas Longhorns

Simmons had a fantastic freshman season for the Longhorns, as he registered nine sacks. If he takes a step forward, he will be not just one of the best edge rushers, but one of the best players in college football. 

1. T.J. Parker, Clemson Tigers

Parker was a highly valued recruit, who had 5.5 sacks as a freshman in 2023. He then upped his production to 11 sacks last season, making him the frontrunner to be the first edge rusher selected in the 2026 NFL Draft. 

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