Virginia 2027 Top 100 Breakdown: Edge/DL

Photo: Prepnetwork

Ed OBrien January 8, 2026 @ 10:33 AM

In the recently updated <a href="https://prepredzone.com/virginia/rankings/2027-rankings/">Virginia Class of 2027 rankings</a>, the Defensive Line/Edge position had the most representation. This group included DL, DL/EDGE, and DL/OL hybrids. With at least 90 players from these positions represented in the rankings, this group dominated the Top 50 and Top 100.    Let's take a quick look at some of those prospects ranked in the Top 100.    No. 1 [player_tooltip player_id='1311466' first='Chris' last='Whitehead'] — L.C. Bird — DL/EDGE | 6-5 | 220   With 25-plus offers from schools such as Alabama, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, Miami, and Ohio State, it's clear to see that he's considered to be one of the top edge defenders in the state and nation. He ended the 2025 season with 54 total tackles (23 TFL's), 11 sacks, two touchdowns, and one interception. He is one of the most explosive edge defenders that I've had a chance to watch on film in the past couple of months. Very twitchy, physical, and agile.    No. 2 Rashad Saunders Jr. — Woodberry Forest — OL/DL — 6-5 | 285   Saunders has 15-plus offers that include Florida, Florida State, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Ohio State. Ultimately, he'll most land on the offensive side of the football field at the next level as an offensive tackle. He plays both offensive tackle and defensive tackle for his team. I have to say though, he is quite menacing in the middle of that defensive line.    No. 8 [player_tooltip player_id='1170677' first='Camden' last='Chalkley'] — Manchester — DL/EDGE – 6-3 | 225   Chalkley's early offer list includes Kentucky, Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Wake Forest. He's used both inside and outside on his team's defense, so the DL/Edge designation fits him perfectly. Regardless of where he's lined up, his quickness off the ball and ability to close on the ball carrier stands out.    No. 19 [player_tooltip player_id='400876' first='Michael' last='Gibbs'] — Trinity Episcopal — DL _ 6-3 | 315   Gibbs has a listed offer from Marshall. I'm surprised he doesn't have a few Division I offers based on his size and the film I watched. He moves very well for his size and his disruptive. I must believe things will pick up this offseason once his junior-year film is evaluated.    No. 68 [player_tooltip player_id='1212124' first='Jayce' last='Bigelow'] — Huguenot — LB/EDGE — #68   Bigelow has early offers from Campbell, East Carolina, Syracuse, and SMU. He ended the 2025 season with 100 total tackles (30-plus tackles for a loss), 15 sacks, nine pass breakups, one pick-six, and one forced fumble. He is an absolute menace coming off the edge against both the pass and run. Bigelow's football instincts are impressive. There's enough highlights showcasing his ability to play in space as well at the middle linebacker position. I'm impressed with his versatility and overall skills.    No. 56 [player_tooltip player_id='1169058' first='Alhaji' last='Kamara'] — Woodbridge — LB/EDGE — 6-2 | 240   Kamara made 75 tackles (25 tackles for a loss), forced three fumbles, hurried the quarterback 10 times, and sacked the quarterback an impressive 13.5 times. His film shows him lining both on the outside and interior of the defensive line. I can see him getting recruited to play the interior based on his body type now.    No. 31 [player_tooltip player_id='1311631' first='Sean' last='Boyd'] — Benedictine College Prep — DL — 6-2 | 295   Boyd finished with 55 total tackles (27 TFL's), two forced fumbles, two pass deflections, and 15 sacks this past season. He's another big and athletic interior lineman listed in this article. There's no way that he doesn't get a few offers in the upcoming months if the college coaches are seeing what I'm seeing on film.

In the recently updated Virginia Class of 2027 rankings, the Defensive Line/Edge position had the most representation. This group included DL, DL/EDGE, and DL/OL hybrids. With at least 90 players from these positions represented in the rankings, this group dominated the Top 50 and Top 100.