TN2027 Edge Rusher Watch List

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Finding specialists that can chase down the quarterback on a consistent basis has become a premium want by college programs. Our junior crop looks quite good and could be better down the road with added depth from unknowns that are still developing. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Getting after the quarterback and rushing the backfield is a premium thing on the college and pro level these days that has coaches searching far and wide for prospects that bring those abilities to the field. Our junior edge rushers are small in numbers right now but are quite talented. Every guy listed in this article has Power Four, D1 or FCS level capabilities that should be found sooner than later.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first guy to mention here isn't even listed with the edge rushers at the moment but could turn out to be the best prospect at this position. That guy is White Station junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1310642' first='Antwan' last='Jackson']</strong>. The Spartans two-way talent is listed under the athletes due to exceptional upside as either a tight end or edge rusher. Depending on which college may get involved, I could see Jackson signing for either position.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1695467,"width":"312px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/antjackson-crop-1366x897-1750621929.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1695467" style="width:312px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Staying in the greater Memphis area, Melrose defender <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1587004' first='Gerrard' last='Kaufman'] </strong>is an exciting talent at edge rusher that is still growing into his body and learning but has tremendous upside. He shows a nice burst coming off the line then uses his athleticism to maneuver his way past blockers and into the opponent's backfield.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the more interesting defensive prospects from our #TN2027 class is Sevier Co. edge rusher <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1577078' first='Parker' last='Newman']</strong>. Standing 6 '5 205 pounds, the Smoky Bears junior is still growing into his body and forming his game but the upside is big as Newman has a versatile skill set to work the edge or even play in the middle as well. His athleticism and range are two traits that really stand out and make him such an appealing prospect.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another fascinating edge rusher to know about is Cannon Co. junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1591156' first='Zeke' last='Walkup']</strong>. Out of all the guys mentioned thus far, he may actually be the most polished when it comes to rushing off the edge and chasing down the quarterback. The Lions junior has an excellent bend and burst along with nice closing speed that translates well to the college game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two guys from the greater Jackson, Tennessee area that should rank high among our #TN2027 edge rushers are <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1580777' first='Kelsey' last='Rose, Jr'] </strong>from Jackson Christian and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1693459' first='Jayland' last='Eckford'] </strong>out of Jackson Central Merry. Both these guys have outstanding upside for the college game as they each have great size, length and athleticism that should develop even further as both get older.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1695470,"width":"260px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/krose.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1695470" style="width:260px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rose, Jr is a two sport guy that could develop into one of the more sought after defensive players from the West TN region, if he spent more time developing himself on the football field. Eckford is a fierce pass rusher that closes fast and finishes with violence. He just landed his first offer but I expect the Cougars junior to add many, many more over the coming months.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New to the state of Tennessee, junior edge <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1357924' first='Hans' last='Emery Julien'] </strong>is a raw but talented young man that will begin his United States journey this Fall at Baylor. Standing 6 '3 215 pounds, Julien is a lean but athletic pass rusher that shows good bend on film along with excellent closing speed and active hands to get off blocks. He needs time to fill in his body but the ability to get after the quarterback is certainly there.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another raw talent that could be a guy that college coaches fall in love with over time is Blackman edge rusher <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1207775' first='Julius' last='Malden']</strong>. This Murfreesboro area prospect is still growing into his body but Malden may have some of the best speed and twitch coming off the edge within this class. He has yet to take on a full time role with his Blaze squad but his off-season development and work thus far points towards a possible breakout junior year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cookeville junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1566184' first='Landon' last='McCarter'] </strong>is someone to pay attention to this coming Fall football year. The Cavaliers edge rusher is lacking complete film at the moment but I've been able to watch this guy perform in person and he presents size and tools that could pave a way towards the college game. There is a lot of potential here with McCarter and I expect him to become a standout performer throughout the coming season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1695471,"width":"249px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/lmccarteer.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1695471" style="width:249px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two Memphis based edge rushers to follow this Fall include <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1370856' first='Landon' last='James'] </strong>from Memphis Central and Briarcrest Christian junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='904976' first='Wade' last='Jones']</strong>. Both these guys have the physical traits to see their stocks rise over time along with room to grow into not just their bodies but their games as well.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>James is a broad shouldered, physical young man that has played a lot of middle backer so far in his high school career but his body and game fits best in college working off the edge. His arm length and natural power could allow him to become formidable off the edge over time. Jones is still in developmental mode but the tools are there. Standing 6 '4 210 pounds, the Saints junior defender shows athleticism and burst on film along with closing speed that should improve further as Jones continues to grow into his body.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This forming edge class looks good headed into the 2025 season but like it was mentioned above, depth isn't there yet. I expect new names to pop up over the coming months to make this position much deeper going into the next off-season and potentially become one of the best groups coming out of the #TN2027 recruiting class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It will be fun to watch those above perform this coming year because you have some serious raw talent here that could see their games and recruiting stocks soar over time to become some of the most wanted prospects in this state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1695473,"width":"225px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/lanjames.webp?w=689" alt="" class="wp-image-1695473" style="width:225px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->