Deep Dive: Johnston/Harnett County Edge Rushers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After pausing for a month for the 2026, 2027, and 2028 rankings updates, it's time to jump back into our county-by-county deep dives, highlighting the best players from across the Raleigh-Durham area. We're on the defensive side of the ball now and I'm looking at the top edge rushers linemen in Johnston/Harnett County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Past Johnston/Harnett County Deep Dives</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/deep-dive-johnston-harnett-county-qbs/">Quarterbacks</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/deep-dive-johnston-harnett-county-rbs/">Running Backs</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/deep-dive-johnston-harnett-county-wrs/">Wide Receivers</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/deep-dive-johnston-harnett-county-ol/">Offensive Line</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/06/deep-dive-johnston-harnett-county-idls/">Interior Defensive Line</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top 5 Edge Rushers in Johnston/Harnett County</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1698661"],"_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-6866fa81efafb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Like many of his Cleveland teammates, Lugo has the versatility to play inside or outside and can win against a variety of opponents. The most dangerous returning edge rusher in Johnston County, Lugo had 10 sacks last year to go with 54 tackles and a bunch for loss. This year, he's in position to match or beat those impressive numbers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1650614"],"_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-6866fa81efb67"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ray played more off the ball last season and excelled as a running back, but he's been unblockable as a hybrid edge rusher in the spring, so much so that I'm not sure he'll stay off the ball for long. He's explosive and compact as a pass-rusher and can win with both speed and power.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1703184"],"_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-6866fa81efbb7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stedman was steady for Harnett Central last season and will have an even bigger role in 2025. He racked up over 75 tackles and three sacks as an off-ball linebacker-edge hybrid last year and is bigger and stronger as a senior, with more opportunities as a defensive veteran.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1703195"],"_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-6866fa81efc0c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A massive edge rusher, McNeil was part of a devastating Overhills pass rush last season. Now, he's the leading returner and I'm looking forward to getting a better look at him as a junior. He could grow into an interior defender, but he's thriving off the edge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1703204"],"_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-6866fa81efc5a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Willard is one of the most productive returning edge rushers in Johnston County, racking up 4.5 sacks last year for North Johnston. Willard can win with speed and power and excels at causing havoc when he gets home. He forced and recovered a fumble last season and made 75 tackles for the Panthers</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->