Top 7A Pass-Rushers In 2026 Class

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Which 7A pass-rushers in the 2026 class dominated during the 2023 season?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone has all the details...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212311' first='Tyler' last='Atkinson']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/tyler-atkinson/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;– OLB – Grayson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An easy 5-star talent out of Grayson High School and one of the top overall prospects across the country in the 2026 class, Atkinson is a truly elite pass-rusher with excellent length and explosiveness at 6-foot-3 190-pounds. He was a QBs worst nightmare this year and dominated against Buford late in the 7A playoffs. The Grayson defender is a long, athletic outside linebacker with a frame that will allow him to continue putting on good weight and muscle over the next several years. He's technically sound and knows how to shed blocks on his way to the quarterback. He gives max effort, is lightning quick off the snap, and consistently does his job. He's a reliable run defender, but his ability to attack the quarterback is why he's one of the nation's best in the 2026 class. Currently ranked as the No. 2 overall prospect in the state for his class, Atkinson is coming off a ridiculously productive season where he sacked the quarterback 10.5 times this season. According to MaxPreps, the elite defender also made 197 tackles and 25 TFLs this past season as a sophomore. He'll only get better, and that's bad news for opposing offensive linemen next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Deuce Geralds – DL – Collins Hill</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another young defender who entered his sophomore season with a lot of hype after a terrific freshman season, Geralds continued to exceed expectations this year and live in the backfield for his Collins Hill tam. He's consistently disruptive with plenty of size and strength for his age already at 6-foot-3 240-pounds. He has big, strong hands and can throw opposing linemen away with ease. He wins one-on-one battles consistently and does a great job of running down the ball-carrier against the run. Against the pass, he plays with good strength and leverage, allowing him to get off blocks and go find the quarterback. He did it quite often this past season as a sophomore, getting to the quarterback 14 times this past fall, most among all sophomores in the state. He also made an impressive 81 tackles and 30 TFLs. He has a giant offer list right now and has the numbers that could move him into 5-star conversation. He's ranked as the No. 7 prospect in Georgia for the 2024 class and already has to fantastic seasons under his belt. He's a pass-rushing machine and will be tough to handle once again as a junior next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='681152' first='Bryce' last='Perry-Wright']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/bryce-perry-wright-2/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;– Buford</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A truly dominant interior defensive lineman with game-wrecking ability, Perry-Wright played like a seasoned veteran this season as a sophomore for the mighty Buford Wolves. He's young, but he was a true difference-maker for the Wolves as a sophomore this past season, stopping the run and bringing a big pass-rush from the inside. He helps collapse the pocket and plays with great leverage. He's thick, powerful, and extremely quick for his 6-foot-3 250-pound frame. He's not the biggest or heaviest linemen, but he's certainly one of the best and most productive, especially in the 2026 class. He was almost unblockable against Grayson in the playoffs, but he made his presence knows throughout the season. He's ranked by Prep Redzone as the No. 1 DL prospect and the No. 3 overall prospect in the state for the impressive 2026 class. As a sophomore last year, the outstanding 2026 lineman made 51 tackles, 9 TFLs and 7.5 sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->