2027 Watchlist Edge Rushers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ur rankings are filled with talented college prospects. But there's plenty of talent on our watchlist, too. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/01/behind-the-scenes-of-the-2027-rankings-january-update/">Last rankings update</a>, we had five players enter the top half of our rankings directly from the watchlist, and a host of others who rose after initially being watchlist players. In this spring series, we're evaluating every player on our 2027 watchlist. Who knows? Maybe some of these guys make their mark in the next rankings update. Next up, the edge rushers</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2027 Watchlist Edge Rushers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Editor's Note:</em> There are three primary types of players on the watchlist.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>A player we've seen in camp or have heard about through coaches and other scouting channels who does not have extensive varsity film.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>A player who claimed a profile and was very quickly put on the watchlist as a placeholder.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>(Our least favorite): A player who was once put on the watchlist, but who our staff has not had the chance to re-evaluate. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the reasons I love this watchlist series is that it allows me time in the offseason to put eyes on every player in our system. If history is any indication, our spring update will be the largest wave of watchlist-to-ranked players of the year. Typically, I add around 25% of our current watchlist players to the rankings as I write this series. Let's get to it. Here's every 2027 watchlist edge rusher.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2104454"],"_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-699c9fa67b827"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Newman flashed as a junior, and he's just learning how to use his length. As he continues to progress physically, he's becoming more productive on the field, and looks like a guy who could take a huge leap forward in 2026. The tools are there for a big senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1706216"],"_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-699c9fa67b8bf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We've heard Romine's name from some coaches and scouts in the area, and he played his best at the end of the season. Union Pines' strength program is fantastic, and I'd be surprised if Romine looks the same physically as a senior that he did as a junior. After 17 tackles and a sack in five games, he's on the cusp of the rankings and may be a late-summer add if I can get there to see a practice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1608306"],"_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-699c9fa67b933"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hernandez-Chicas rotated in on a deep Mooresville defensive line that produced almost 50 sacks in 2025. The Blue Devils lose 30 of those from graduating seniors, giving Hernandez-Chicas ample opportunity to step in after he played in six games last season. He's stronger than his size suggests, and often wins on inside moves against bigger interior defenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1614515"],"_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-699c9fa67b981"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Despite his slighter stature, Wilkins lined up both outside and inside in limited reps as a junior. He flashed as a high-motor pass-rusher who can disrupt the running game, as well. Hillside's deep defensive line loses some graduating seniors, and Wilkins should have the chance to step into a bigger role as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2104424"],"_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-699c9fa67b9c6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bloomfield missed part of the season and doesn't have a lot of varsity film, but he's a highly athletic pass-rusher who has excellent potential and who played well when on the field. In parts of six games, he had 18 tackles—including two sacks—and a fumble recovery. He has speed, length, and power to break out in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>This is the time of year when we have the most time to dive into film, re-evaluate prospects, and change our minds about players. Send your film on Twitter/X (<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>), so I can evaluate you. Want to share Prep Redzone with a friend? Promo Code Helms30 is good for 30% off your first billing cycle.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->