2029 Edge Rushers Who Will Take the Next Step in 2026

With there being so much young talent in the state of Tennessee, I'm continuing my series to highlight those student-athletes. This will be me breaking down four 2029 players at each position who will take the next step in 2026.   Next, we'll discuss the edge rushers. Two of the names on this list have already established themselves as starters for their respective schools.   However, there are two more on the list who are talented and should see an increased role next season.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/Photo-Jan-13-2026-3-33-13-PM-crop-1320x867-1768340159.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2104947" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: CAK EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='1616635' first='Jack' last='Elliott']. Taken by lzh_productions on Instagram.</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1616635' first='Jack' last='Elliott'] – Christian Academy of Knoxville   [player_tooltip player_id='1616635' first='Jack' last='Elliott'] is one of the more exciting EDGE prospects in Tennessee, as he has the size, athleticism and physicality to be a top-tier defender in the next few years.   He saw just three games of action as a freshman, recording three tackles, but was a beast in middle school. Elliott totaled 12 sacks as an eighth grader and earned Tennessee Future Stars honors.   As a 6-foot-1, 190-pound freshman, he possesses intriguing size and a long frame. He must add weight, but he's already bigger than a lot of kids his age, so he's on the right track.   Elliott is solid against the run, but excels as a pass rusher where his speed and athleticism take over. His jump off the snap is impressive, allowing him to quickly beat offensive linemen.   With another year of development, look out for the CAK young buck to have a strong 2026 season.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/113-Clayton-Jackson-crop-574x377-1768340316.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2104948" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Rockvale TE/EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='1648774' first='Clayton' last='Jackson'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1648774' first='Clayton' last='Jackson'] – Rockvale High School   [player_tooltip player_id='1648774' first='Clayton' last='Jackson'] is currently a projection, but he possesses all the physical tools necessary to be a very productive player for Rockvale High School. He stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 234 pounds with a long, lean frame and impressive athleticism for his size.   Jackson also plays tight end, which has helped him become a more fluid mover, learned how to use his leverage more and allows him to see the other side of the ball.   He's a raw prospect, but once he develops further, I could see him becoming a very productive edge rusher.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/user-uploads/Jimmy-Payne-tn-29-FIRE-ICE-crop-401x263-1768340494.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2104950" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Knox Catholic EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='1305177' first='Jimmy' last='Payne'].</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1305177' first='Jimmy' last='Payne'] – Knoxville Catholic High School   Knox Catholic's [player_tooltip player_id='1305177' first='Jimmy' last='Payne'] is an exciting edge rusher who saw a decent amount of time for a freshman in arguably the toughest classification in Tennessee.   He's one of the most well-built kids that I've seen in the 2029 class, standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 239 pounds with a good frame. While he is bigger, Payne still moves well for a player his age, while also possessing good instincts and a high motor.   The 2029 prospect explodes off the ball and typically finds his way into the opposing backfield. He needs to clean up some things and continue to work on his craft this offseason, but Payne will be one of the more experienced defenders returning to Knox Catholic next year.   Expect him to have a breakout campaign as a sophomore.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/user-uploads/Collin-Simpson-crop-401x263-1768340554.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2104951" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: St. George's EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='1673560' first='Collin' last='Simpson'] at the Tennessee Future Stars showcase.</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1673560' first='Collin' last='Simpson'] – St. George's Independent School   [player_tooltip player_id='1673560' first='Collin' last='Simpson'] is one of the more talented 2029 edge rushers, having had a great middle school career, during which he earned Tennessee Future Stars honors twice.   He possesses a good build for his age, standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 183 pounds with a lean frame. Simpson must add weight, but I'm not worried about that. He has plenty of time and has shown the ability to do so throughout middle school and even his freshman year.   The 2029 prospect looked solid when he was given the opportunity to get varsity reps for St. George's. Once he develops further and puts it all together, he could be one of the better edge rushers in his class.

With there being so much young talent in the state of Tennessee, I'm continuing my series to highlight those student-athletes. This will be me breaking down four 2029 players at each position who will take the next step in 2026.