Five Breakout Candidates in 2024: Edge Rushers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Camp season in the summer gives college opportunities to evaluate prospects and fill their recruiting boards, but it also gives us the opportunity to see which players are candidates to have breakout seasons. These five edge rushers had strong offseasons and look poised to have huge years in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Breakout Candidates: Edge Rushers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1210624"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6682d4ab8c054"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Banks plays a lot as an off-the-ball linebacker, but he's at his best with a hand in the ground rushing the passer. His first step is great and his hand usage as a pass rusher is incredibly refined. He'll likely look to add a few more pounds as he transitions to a full-time edge rusher, but the potential is there for him to be a highly-coveted recruit. 2024 could be the year when he puts it all together.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1158344"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6682d4ab8c0a4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Darden has quickly become one of my favorite prospects in the state. His get off is elite and his bend around the edge makes him a highly-coveted prospect at the next level. Several schools like him as an off-ball linebacker given his lateral movement and coverage skills. However, his highest upside is at edge rusher, where he's able to put consistent pressure on the passer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1318716"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6683219b56c73"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cockerham plays both ways and we don't have a great idea yet as to which side of the ball he'll be best at. As a sophomore, we expect him to grow most as an edge rusher, as he's learning how to use his size and strength to put offensive linemen off balance. Cockerham has a frame that can carry 20-30 more pounds. If he can do that and retain his quickness off the line, he'll develop into one of the top pass rushers in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1002307"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6683219b56ce4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A two-sport athlete, Dunham played more and more as the year went on, but was effective when on the field. After receiving a couple of Group of Five offers in the fall, the floodgates opened and Dunham started receiving offers left and right in the spring. He's long and agile with the ability to put on more good weight. Dunham improved as a processor as the year went on and when he makes the decision to get downhill, he can move quickly. With a bit more polish and a strong year in 2024, he could challenge for the top spot in our rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["648670"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6683219b56d27"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The biggest key in Eleazer's development will be the consistent improvement in play strength. He continues to grow vertically and is one of the longest edge rushers in the state. As he adds good weight and his strength increases, he'll be able to add more strength as both a run defender and pass rusher. His potential is through the roof and 2024 could be the start of an elite career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->