By Luke Brumm
We’re on to the edges now, and these guys are the best of the best. Let’s take a look at my top five edge rushers for the upcoming 2024 season.
5. Kaimon Rucker – North Carolina
Kaimon Rucker is back for a fifth year and will look to be a force yet again. Rucker has been getting playing time since he was a true freshman and has been contributing big since. He has increased his tackles in each season and has had 16 total sacks in the last three seasons. He jumped from 37 to 61 tackles last season and I think he even has another gear he can reach.
4. Rueben Bain Jr. – Miami
Rueben Bain Jr. has only been at Miami for a year and has already made a name for himself. As a freshman, he had 23 solo tackles and 7.5 sacks. He also forced three fumbles. At 6’3 and 275 lbs, Bain has great size and strength and can cause havoc in both the run and pass game. The fact he is still so young blows my mind. I can’t wait to see how he progresses through his collegiate career.
3. Ashton Gillotte – Louisville
Ashton Gillotte may not be as big of a name as some of these guys, but he is just as good as any. Gillotte plays for Louisville and has been one of, if not their best, player on the defensive side of the ball. He started as just a two-star and is now one of the best edges in the country. Gillotte had 11 sacks and 23 solo tackles in 2023 while adding three forced fumbles. He will only improve as he moves on to his senior year.
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2. Mykel Williams – Georgia
Mykel is just another in a long list of Georgia edge rushers that Kirby Smart has produced. He won’t have the same stats as some of the others since the Dawgs rotate and have a lot of talent on that defense. However, I do expect Williams’ best season statistically in 2024. He has 34 tackles, 24 solo tackles, nine sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in his career. He is talented enough to do that in one season, and this could be that season.
1. James Pearce Jr. – Tennessee
I believe Pearce is the undisputed best edge in America. His ability to impact a game is rare and not something a lot of people are capable of. Not many edge rushers have a 52-yard pick-six on their resume. 9.5 sacks and 27 total tackles in 2023 is nothing to look past either. He will only get better, as with all these guys, and I can see a 40+ tackle and 12+ sack season from Pearce for the Vols in 2024.
