5 Edge Rushers to Watch in 2025

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 season in the Natural State is a month away with Week Zero. There are hundreds of talented prospects in the class of 2026 and beyond. They can play at the next level, including FBS, FCS, DII, DIII, NAIA, or JUCO. Prep Redzone conducts thorough research and evaluation to uncover under-the-radar athletes poised to leave their mark on the upcoming season. Here are five edge rusher prospects for coaches and recruiters to add to the recruiting board.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1580446"],"_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-68862faecfdef"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1580446' first='Ryan' last='Blackwell'] is going to breakout in 2025. He is an athletic edge rusher with the ability to contain the edge and make plays in the backfield. Blackwell showcases a solid burst off the snap. He applies pressure and makes impact plays at the LOS. He plays sideline to sideline to chase down ball carriers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Note – Multi-Position Athlete</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Ryannn_901/status/1944824449275998459","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Ryannn_901/status/1944824449275998459 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1734321"],"_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-68862faecfe5c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1734321' first='Rhett' last='Flowers'] is an under-the-radar prospect in Arkansas. Off the snap, he engages with solid use of hands to swipe off initial contact and bend around the arc to create pressure. Flowers is quick with solid lower-body strength to be disruptive. Keep an eye on him this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Note - 465 Squat</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/RhettFlo_44/status/1946761233480266003","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/RhettFlo_44/status/1946761233480266003 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1635561"],"_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-68862faecfead"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1635561' first='Matthew' last='Moka'] is a prospect to watch throughout 2025. He showcases solid initial quickness off the edge, effectively stretches the pocket, and applies pressure on the quarterback. Moka is one of the fastest at the position for the class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Note – Multi-Position Athlete</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/matt2027moka/status/1946001571721978105","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/matt2027moka/status/1946001571721978105 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1607709"],"_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-68862faecff20"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1607709' first='Evan' last='Thompson'] is a breakout candidate for the 2025 season. Thompson displays good hand placement, allowing him to shed blockers quickly and make plays at the LOS or in the backfield. He can bull rush due to solid lower body strength, pad level, and active feet to drive. He plays with a high motor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 4.0 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/evan_thompson56/status/1933345666538823945","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/evan_thompson56/status/1933345666538823945 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1669851"],"_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-68862faecff6f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1669851' first='Samuel' last='Nelson'] is a prospect to add to the recruiting board. This off-season, he has continued to develop and get better as he will play on Saturdays. He plays with a high motor, demonstrating his ability to chase down ball carriers from behind. Nelson can contain the edge and force plays into traffic with a good one-arm extension while maintaining lateral movement along the LOS. He can pressure and stretch the pocket with his quickness.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/SamNFootBall/status/1920458687618937017","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/SamNFootBall/status/1920458687618937017 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->