{"id":78002,"date":"2024-12-12T20:32:23","date_gmt":"2024-12-13T02:32:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/demo.wztzfm.com\/wp\/top-edge-signees-in-the-2025-class\/"},"modified":"2024-12-12T20:32:23","modified_gmt":"2024-12-13T02:32:23","slug":"top-edge-signees-in-the-2025-class","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/demo.wztzfm.com\/wp\/top-edge-signees-in-the-2025-class\/","title":{"rendered":"Top EDGE signees in the 2025 class"},"content":{"rendered":"

Forty-eight of the top 50 edge rushers in the 2025 recruiting class \u2014\u00a0according to the\u00a0On3 Industry Ranking<\/a>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0have now signed with a college program.<\/p>\n

Six different colleges are represented among the top 10 EDGEs in the class, with one school tripling up on top-10 prospects at the position.<\/p>\n

Below are where the top edge rusher prospects in the 2025 cycle signed earlier this month:<\/p>\n

1. Isaiah Gibson<\/a> \u2014\u00a0Georgia<\/h2>\n

School:<\/strong> Warner Robins<\/a><\/strong> (Ga.)
On3 Industry Ranking: <\/strong>No. 8 NATL.<\/p>\n

Scouting Summary: <\/strong>\u201cBig EDGE prospect who creates a mismatch with his combination of rare physical traits, athleticism and power. Measured in at 6-foot-3.25, 263 pounds at the On3 Elite Series prior to his senior season, but looks to have trimmed down significantly as a senior. Has elite length and a big frame, sporting 35-inch arms and 10.5 hands. Runs well in the combine setting. Translates his physical ability over to the field while playing top competition on Friday nights. Highly disruptive and productive working as a defensive end at his high school, oftentimes lining up as a standup pass rusher. Finished his junior season with 17 sacks. Converts speed to power with ease. Knifes through the offensive line as a straight-line rusher. Fights through blocks. Shows the ability to beat double teams and finish with sacks. Has truly elite closing speed and is a violent finisher. Play speed and effort level allows him to make jaw-dropping plays in pursuit. Uses his length to corral ball carriers, sometimes with just one hand. Able to generate sacks that some others can\u2019t due to his power and finishing ability. <\/p>\n

\u201cAlso projects as a high-end edge setter due to his size and strength. Also plays basketball, showing his athleticism as a rim protector and dunker. Will need to continue honing his technical skill set as a pass rusher, adding moves to his repertoire. Winning more with his physical traits and effort at this stage. Ultimate size and positional fit is a bit ambiguous due to his fluctuating weight. Has a highly projectable skill set that points to an NFL future and the upside of being an early-round pick.\u201d<\/p>\n

2. Lance Jackson<\/a> \u2014\u00a0Texas<\/h2>\n

School: <\/strong>Texarkana (Texas) Pleasant Grove<\/a><\/strong>
On3 Industry Ranking: <\/strong>No. 25 NATL.<\/p>\n

Scouting Summary: <\/strong>\u201c\u2018First off the bus\u2019 prospect who pairs outstanding size, athleticism and effort level to be one of the top EDGE prospects in the 2025 cycle. Measured in at 6-foot-5.25, 270 pounds at the On3 Elite Series prior to his senior season. Has plus length with 34-inch arms to go with 10-inch hands. Excellent weight distribution throughout his frame and looks to be a lean 270. Lines up as a defensive end and tight end for his high school. Dominant off the edge as a senior, tallying over 20 tackles for loss and double-digit sacks. Shows high level initial quickness. Continued to add flexibility as a senior. Dips his shoulder and bends the edge very well for such a big defensive end. <\/p>\n

\u201cRuns the hoop and finishes behind the line of scrimmage at a high rate. Length shows up in implementing a straight-arm move. Has the capability to walk offensive tackles back to the quarterback with speed-to-power. An effective edge setter with his size and strength. Plays with a high effort level on defense. Shows his athleticism as a tight end, with the ability to stretch the seam. Physical as a blocker. Bigger than most EDGE prospects, opening up the possibility that he could outgrow the position. Will benefit from full-time focus on defense once he gets to college. Physical traits and play personality translate to all levels and point to a high upside as a potential early NFL Draft pick.\u201d<\/p>\n

3. Jared Smith<\/a> \u2014\u00a0Auburn<\/h2>\n

School: <\/strong>Hoover (Ala.) Thompson<\/a><\/strong>
On3 Industry Ranking: <\/strong>No. 38 NATL.<\/p>\n

Scout\u2019s Take: <\/strong>\u201cThe Alabama team sports a loaded defensive front with multiple blue-chip, Power 4 signees. No player on the front made more plays behind the line of scrimmage than Jared Smith. The Auburn signee was highly active off the edge. The 6-foot-6.5, 235-pounder used his plus length to create issues at the point of attack for opposing offensive linemen. The combination of length and quickness allowed him to close distance quickly. Smith particularly stood out in tracking down plays from the backside. On a defensive front that consistently overmatched the Alabama offensive line, the Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson standout created the most disruption.\u201d \u2014\u00a0Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings on Dec. 11.<\/em><\/p>\n

4. Javion Hilson<\/a> \u2014\u00a0Missouri<\/h2>\n

School: Cocoa<\/a><\/strong> (Fla.)
On3 Industry Ranking: <\/strong>No. 49 NATL.<\/p>\n

Scout\u2019s Take: <\/strong>\u201cI think he\u2019s best, right now, as a pure speed rusher. He\u2019s got good first-step quickness. Gets in the backfield quickly. He has closing speed as well in pursuit and tracking down ball carriers and sacking quarterbacks. Also had a very good junior year. Playing at a high level for one of the top high school programs in the state of Florida, a high school program that has pumped out a lot of NFL talent.\u201d \u2014\u00a0Charles Power on Dec. 9, 2023.<\/em><\/p>\n

5. Justin Hill<\/a> \u2014 Alabama<\/h2>\n

School: <\/strong>Cincinnati Winton Woods<\/a><\/strong>
On3 Industry Ranking: <\/strong>No. 54 NATL.<\/p>\n

Scouting Summary: <\/strong>\u201cDynamo off the edge with the athleticism and motor to develop into a dangerous pass rusher. Measured in at a shade over 6-foot-3 and around 220 pounds with 32 \u215d-inch arms and 9 \u215c-inch hands prior to his senior season. Primarily works as a standup pass rusher at the high school level, but also lines up off-ball at times. Shows high-level first-step quickness. Is a speed mismatch for offensive tackles off the edge. Converts speed to power at a high level. Capable of forklifting 300+ pound offensive tackles off their feet. <\/p>\n

\u201cPhysical mentality and works through contact. Has an elite motor that runs hot. Closing speed and effort level make him highly effective as a finisher in the backfield. An absolutely dogged pursuit defender. Doesn\u2019t give up on plays. Finished his junior season with 13 sacks. A good athlete in the combine setting. Not overly long and doesn\u2019t have a large frame as an EDGE defender. Will need to continue adding mass to hold up against the run on the edge. Young for the cycle, turning 17 years-old on July 3 of prior to his senior season of high school. Versatile prospect with his highest upside coming as a pass rusher. With continued physical development has the potential to develop into an impact pass rusher.\u201d<\/p>\n

6. Mariyon Dye<\/a> \u2014 Tennessee<\/h2>\n

School: Elkhart Central<\/a><\/strong> (Ind.)
On3 Industry Ranking: <\/strong>No. 68 NATL.<\/p>\n

Scouting Summary: <\/strong>\u201cJumbo EDGE prospect who is of the most physically-gifted prospects in the 2025 cycle, regardless of position. Measured in at 6-foot-4 \u215e, 268 pounds at the On3 Elite Series prior to his senior season. Has truly elite length, with arms that measure 35.5 inches to go with a 7-foot-1 wing-span. Carries his weight very well. Shows outstanding speed on Friday nights. Closes quickly. Capable of running down plays from 40+ yards out. A coordinated and fluid athlete who moves like a much smaller player. <\/p>\n

\u201cGets skinny when working through gaps. Shows signs of active hands at the point of attack. Physical traits and movement patterns certainly pop. Primarily lined up as a stand up pass rusher as a junior. Played basketball early in his high school career, excelling as a rim protector and rebounder. Was not always put in good positions to make plays, but needs to increase production. Finished with 10 tackles for loss and four sacks as a junior. May end up growing into a defensive lineman considering his size as a high school prospect. Has an extremely high developmental upside, but will need to progress as a player to reach his considerable ceiling.\u201d<\/p>\n

7. Darren Ikinnagbon<\/a> \u2014 Georgia<\/h2>\n

School: Hillside<\/a><\/strong> (N.J.)
On3 Industry Ranking:<\/strong> No. 80 NATL.<\/p>\n

Scout\u2019s Take: <\/strong>\u201cHe\u2019s a big-framed, strong defensive lineman, edge prospect with some versatility. He can line up in multiple spots on the defensive line. We\u2019ve seen him do that at the high school level. He can set the edge effectively and slide inside. At this point, he\u2019s at his strongest as a run defender where he can use his play strength and ability to set the edge and hold his ground and finish with strength. He\u2019s a guy that I think that the arrow is pointing up. He\u2019s young for the class. He doesn\u2019t turn 17 until late June.\u201d \u2014\u00a0Charles Power on April 14.<\/em><\/p>\n

8. Smith Orogbo<\/a> \u2014 Texas<\/h2>\n

School: <\/strong>Houston Alief Hastings<\/a><\/strong>
On3 Industry Ranking: <\/strong>No. 83 NATL.<\/p>\n

Scouting Summary: <\/strong>\u201cHighly disruptive edge defender with a projectable frame, high effort level and the upside to become a dangerous pass rusher. Measured in at 6-foot-4 and around 220 pounds prior to his senior season. Has plus length and a big frame with 33 \u215e-inch arms and 9.75-inch hands. Added close to 20 pounds during his junior year. Lives in the backfield on Friday nights. Extremely active, as evidenced by his 100+ tackles and 9 sacks as a junior. Shows good first-step quickness. Converts speed to power as a bull rusher. Plays with a natural strength that belies his size. Fights through blocks at the point of attack. <\/p>\n

\u201cDogged in pursuit, running down plays from the back side. A physical finisher and run defender. Plays with an elite effort level and doesn\u2019t give up on plays. Newer to football, with his first year of the sport coming as a freshman, previously being a basketball and track athlete. Missed the majority of his senior season with an injury. Will need to continue honing his actual pass rush skill set, as he is primarily a \u2018see ball, get ball\u2019 defender at the moment. Younger for the cycle, turning 17 years-old in May of his junior year. Has the upside to be the best EDGE prospect in the 2025 cycle with continued physical and technical development.\u201d<\/p>\n

9. Zion Grady<\/a> \u2014 Ohio State<\/h2>\n

School: <\/strong>Troy (Ala.) Enterprise<\/a><\/strong>
On3 Industry Ranking: <\/strong>No. 91 NATL.<\/p>\n

Scout\u2019s Take: <\/strong>\u201cZion Grady showed the best bend among pass rushers at Alabama-Mississippi practice. The 6-foot-4, 225-pounder is a flexible athlete with a natural understanding of leverage and angles. He also appears to be ahead of the curve from a technical standpoint. Grady was a standout in 1-on-1\u2019s, using his bend and quick hands to give offensive linemen issues. The prolific high school pass rusher should see a spike in his development once in the Buckeyes\u2019 strength and conditioning program.\u201d \u2014\u00a0Charles Power on Dec. 11.<\/em><\/p>\n

10. Chase Linton<\/a> \u2014\u00a0Georgia<\/h2>\n

School: North Atlanta<\/a><\/strong> (Ga.)
On3 Industry Ranking: <\/strong>No. 109 NATL.<\/p>\n

Coach\u2019s Take: <\/strong>\u201c(What makes him unique) is just his explosion and his first step, the way he gets off the ball, and then, his motor after that. He\u2019s definitely second to none that I\u2019ve coached as far as just really being kind of an unblockable guy. People have planned around him all year, and he still finds a way to make plays for us. He\u2019s definitely a special talent as far as how big he is and then how explosive and twitchy he is of an athlete.\u201d \u2014\u00a0North Atlanta head coach Jamie Aull told DawgsHQ<\/a>\u00a0after Linton committed.<\/a><\/p>\n

The post Top EDGE signees in the 2025 class<\/a> appeared first on On3<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Forty-eight of the top 50 edge rushers in the 2025 recruiting class \u2014\u00a0according to the\u00a0On3…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-78002","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/demo.wztzfm.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78002","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/demo.wztzfm.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/demo.wztzfm.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/demo.wztzfm.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=78002"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/demo.wztzfm.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78002\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/demo.wztzfm.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=78002"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/demo.wztzfm.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=78002"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/demo.wztzfm.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=78002"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}