3A/4A Edge Rushers To Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we approach the season, realignment is at the top of my mind. For the first time, North Carolina is going to an 8A system, which will further stratify the schools. So, over the next couple of weeks, I'm going through classifications to highlight the players fans will need to know.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You can find the other positions for the 3A/4A schools below. Now, I'm looking at the 3A/4A edge rushers. Don't let the size of their schools fool you, these guys can play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3A/4A Edge Rushers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1706350"],"_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-687a8fea76e3c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Arrowood was one of the top players in our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/east-rutherford-cavaliers-2025-season-preview/">East Rutherford season preview</a>, as he's a key contributor on both sides of the ball, but he's at his best as an edge rusher, where he's racked up 10 sacks in two seasons. He's not exactly a "pin his ears back and fire off" kind of pass-rusher. Instead, he's patient and versatile, able to drop into coverage or chase down quarterbacks from behind.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1678650"],"_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-687a8fea76e9b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Reidsville is known for highly-athletic playmakers and Pruitt definitely fits the description. He's an explosive athlete (sub 4.5 shuttle) who can dip and bend around the edge with ease. A tackling machine, he grew as a pass-rusher as a sophomore and looks poised for a huge junior season. Elon has stepped in with an offer, and that staff is excellent at identifying young talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1570183"],"_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-687a8fea76ee2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Leonard played both off the ball and on the edge as a sophomore, but the power profile screams run-stuffing edge rusher. He has explosive characteristics off the edge, and even if he's not the tallest guy, he maintains good leverage and can blow up offensive linemen, both in the running game and as a pass-rusher.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1687752"],"_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-687a8fea76f21"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Williams wasn't a full-time starter last season, but that didn't stop him from making some huge plays and earning some Power Four scholarship opportunities this offseason. He's long and lean, with explosive qualities that stand out immediately on film. His wingspan is enormous and he has the look of a guy who could become an elite pass-rusher.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1226609"],"_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-687a8fea76f5e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Long looks poised for a breakout year after flashing as a junior. Though he doesn't have a ton of film, I trust my sources out there who have said he looks bigger and faster than ever. He can fire off the edge and flashed as a pass-rusher last season. He should have plenty of opportunities to put up big numbers as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Other 3A/4A Edge Rushers To Know</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1703204' first='Eli' last='Willard']</strong>, North Johnston</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1653739' first='Austin' last='Hagan']</strong>, Greene Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1715260' first='Zay' last='Derr']</strong>, Newton-Conover</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->