Spring Stock-Risers: 2026 Edge Rusher Report

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This rankings update was a big one, so we've spread it across two weeks. We focused on the offensive players last week, so this week we're breaking down the defenders. Ironically, we only recently separated edge rushers from interior linemen. Still, we have plenty of ranked edge rushers, including six who moved up our 2026 rankings in this spring update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who moved up, and <em>why </em>did they make the jump? Find out in our 2026 edge stock-risers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2026 EDGE Stock-Risers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1159997"],"_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-682b47130c990"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McCallum's recruitment got off to a late start. The Group of Five offers began trickling in early last season before Duke and Virginia stepped in with offers in late October. Since our January rankings update though, he's received dozens of major offers, setting official visits to five ACC schools. His 12 sacks are a testament to his pass-rushing upside and he took down some of the state's best quarterbacks, often playing his best against the toughest competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1600434"],"_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-682b47130c9f4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Spencer caught my attention early last year with some jaw-dropping performances in the opening weeks of the season. He was <em>everywhere</em> for Richmond County, racking up 17 sacks, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and two picks, playing a hybrid edge/linebacker role. He's explosive, productive, and finally getting some traction on the recruiting trail.</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-682b47130ca3b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We were early on Dunham, but kept him close to his original ranking as other outlets began to move him up their own rankings. This spring, we bumped him again. When ranking guys this high, it's less about figuring out whether they're Power Four recruits and more about projecting potential production at the college level. Dunham's combination of speed and power gives him All-American upside for the Fighting Irish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1156972"],"_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-682b47130ca7b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ewetade's goal since he got to South Garner was to add strength and continue to evolve his game. A promising sophomore season turned into a great junior season. When we rank off potential, we're often looking for the production to accompany it before moving guys further up the list. After a 10-sack season, Ewatade fully has our attention and could be an early contributor at Notre Dame.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["951444"],"_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-682b47130cab9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Harris is quickly becoming one of my favorite prospects in the state. He shares the spotlight with his brother, but I'm starting to think Andrew may have the higher upside. He's not overly tall, but he has great length and an elite motor. His speed-to-power is among the best in the country and his pass-rushing skill set is continuing to evolve.</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-682b47130caf8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Eleazer continues to add good weight to his frame, allowing him to have more pop behind his elite get-off and bend. He's continued to develop a pass-rushing arsenal, which has allowed him to creep up our rankings over the last few updates. Eleazer's ranking is still based largely on upside, but his breakthrough junior season (13.5 sacks) gives him the production necessary to sit closer to the top of the rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->