By Apollo Lundin
Edge rushers are always needed in college football. Last season, we saw top-three NFL draft pick Abdul Carter cause havoc against opposing offenses at Penn State, just like Micah Parsons had done before him.
In the 2026 class, there are still many high-level edge rushers available. Could Penn State land one of the top five that have still not found a home?
Trenton Henderson
Pensacola, Fla. (Pensacola Catholic)
No. 3 EDGE national, No. 1 EDGE Florida
Henderson is a large, quick and powerful kid coming off the edge. He has a quick first step and has great finesse moves to get past the offensive line. In 24 games over two seasons, Henderson tallied 14 sacks (10 of those coming in his junior season), 23 tackles for loss, 50 total tackles and three forced fumbles. Henderson, a four-star recruit, is sure to be a great get for any program at the next level.
Henderson also plays basketball, averaging around three points and three rebounds per game.
Henderson has official visits scheduled to Auburn, Vanderbilt, Alabama and Florida.
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Carter Meadows
Washington, D.C. (Gonzaga College)
No. 4 EDGE nation, No. 1 EDGE in D.C.
Hailing from the same high school as former first overall pick Caleb Williams, Meadows has a lot to offer on defense. Meadows is quick and strong, but he shows a lot of patience against the run. Meadows has great pursuit and knows how to use his length and strength to get off blocks. Over three years of high school varsity, Meadows has tallied five sacks, 11 tackles for loss, one forced fumble and 65 total tackles. Meadows will have to spend a few years developing, but the four-star should project to be an impact player for a contender at the collegiate level.
Last month, Meadows unofficially visited Penn State. Next month, he has an official visit scheduled to Michigan. He holds offers from both schools in addition to schools like Ohio State, Miami (Fla.) and Northwestern.
Anthony Jones
Mobile, Ala. (St. Paul’s Episcopal)
No. 5 EDGE nation, No. 1 EDGE in Alabama
Jones is a menace coming off the edge. “Tank,” as they call him, is one of the quickest and strongest players in this recruiting class. Jones has a quick first step, great pursuit of the ball and loves to slam the ball carrier down. The question is whether he can produce at the collegiate level against bigger and better offensive lines.
Jones is a multi-sport athlete, winning an Alabama state championship in the shot put. Additionally, Jones gets snaps at wide receiver.
Over the past few weeks, Jones has visited Michigan and Auburn. He also holds offers from schools like Arkansas, Oregon and Texas A&M. He is projected to land at Auburn.
Richard Wesley
Chatsworth, Calf. (Sierra Canyon)
No. 6 EDGE nation, No. 1 EDGE California
Wesley might be slightly underrated in terms of his ranking. Wesley is quick and powerful, seemingly always finding a way to get to the ball. Even on textbook wrap-up tackles, Wesley loves to slam the ball carrier down, which makes for great highlights but could anger coaches. Through two seasons of high school football, Wesley has tallied 18.5 sacks, 27.5 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles, leading him to be compared to former Oregon EDGE/LB Kayvon Thibodeaux.
Wesley was a top-five overall player in the class of 2027 before reclassifying.
Over the past month, Wesley has visited Tennessee, Texas A&M, Ohio State, Texas and USC on unofficial visits.
Jake Kreul
Bradenton, Fla. (IMG Academy)
No. 7 EDGE nation, No. 2 EDGE in Florida
In terms of technique, Kreul might be the best player on this list. On film, Kreul looks undersized, but he uses his hands perfectly to complement his blazing speed to get around the offensive line. His go-to move is a side-step, which usually beats the offensive tackle. If that does not work, he can break out a spin that leaves the offense stunned. Kreul flashes strength, but rarely uses a bull rush to get in the backfield.
Kreul was invited to the Polynesian Bowl and the Under Armour All-America Game.
Since January, eight Power Four coaches have visited Kreul in his home. He attended Junior Days at LSU and Penn State and recently took an unofficial visit to Florida State.
