Best of the Best: Top 10 Edges in the State

*Use code Johnson30 for 30% off an annual Prep Redzone subscription*   Edge is the newest position classification that we have here at Prep Redzone Wisconsin. It is such an interesting group of athletes. The best at the position are absolute freaks. They are long, explosive, violently powerful, and are able to get into the backfield and consistently cause disruption. Even with those general trait checks we still see athletes of all sizes making an impact rushing off the edge here in Wisconsin. But who are the best edges in the state? We answer that today in the continuation of our Top 10 series.    Isaac is our top uncommitted athlete in the state of Wisconsin and holds the spot of best edge defender in the state. He has a pretty good argument for one of the best in the midwest too. The junior holds several Power 4 offers, and once you turn on the tape it is easy to see why. He possesses an elite frame with length that is carrying 250+ lbs allowing him to win with speed or power. For being such a large athlete, Isaac is able to dominate with his first step. A stride that erases space between him and the OT. From there he is able to get hands on, maintain separation, and win with a pass rush move, or dipping underneath the OL, or getting to their heels with speed. Plus the junior has the athleticism to chase down the ball in space outside his initial alignment. This is one of the best WI has produced at this position in a while. Very exciting opportunities ahead of him.     Guardian is just scratching the surface on what he can become down the road. The junior possesses such a long frame, yet that doesn't hinder his movements and range at all. So much so that we see him repeatedly in coverage, easily sliding around the field. I was able to watch one of his games and witnessed him jump a route for an INT. That versatility to play in space and cover athletes or rush the passer is such a weapon that DCs can use to put OL units in tough scenarios. This weapon is one of the best off the edge that Wisconsin has to offer.     Brett is a fun prospect to watch. He could be considered an edge or TE with the tape he has produced. Brett plays with his hand in the dirt and from a two point stance for Shiocton, and his frame will allow him the ability to do either at the next level. Either way he will be a force on the edge. He wins a lot of reps with pure power. Bull rushing the OT off the line until he gets them off balance and then shedding them. Brett is able to generate so much force out of his stance. Even against the run game you see him set the edge by driving OTs or TEs into the backfield and then disengaging when the RB arrives. He will need time to work on the technique of hand fighting, but you can't argue against his size, strength, and versatility. No doubt he is one of the best on the edge in WI.     Next up we have the top edge defender/TE for the Class of 2028. This up and coming talent is very long and lean right now and his frame looks like it will be able to hold plenty more weight to handle the wear and tear of the next level. I love Dane's quickness off the line and range when he gets into the backfield. An athlete with his build should be able to win with speed and quickness and he delivers. However, Dane further sets himself apart with some impressive power to fight off blocks on the edge without giving up any ground. He can create some power off his initial burst off the line, and he consistently plays with his hands. Keeping that separation from the OL is key to his success. I'm very excited for things to really come together for Dane as he further establishes himself this next season as an upperclassman.     The small school stud from Lourdes Academy is our #5 edge defender in the state of Wisconsin. Every year it has been impressive watching Harlan get bigger, strong, and more in tune with the technique needed to win on the edge. Now the junior has film repeatedly dominating OTs throughout the season. The long edge does a great job getting hands on and instantly locking out to create space. Once he gets that space the 2027 edge has the quickness to quickly get around the OT. Harlan's long strides eat up ground once he is free in the backfield and it has led to some impressive chase down tackles. The 2027 Edge is also proving that he can play vs the run and pass successfully and consistently. Don't miss out on the small school standout.     Kyle is an interesting prospect. He has already put together multiple productive varsity seasons by the time his junior season ended. The '27 has the frame of a DE/edge at the next level, but we also see a lot of his highlights take place on the interior this season. That inside-outside versatility is thanks to both his quickness at the snap and the powerful violence he plays with. But when he is on the edge Kyle only needs an inch to beat blocks. The second you give him a sliver he is flying through it into the backfield for a stop. That burst of acceleration is special. It is so surprising watching just how strong he is, standing up OGs and barely ever giving up any ground. If we see him add more to that frame at the next level I can only imagine how much more of a force he could be.     Ty might be my favorite weight room warrior in the state. The kid puts up unreal numbers every offseason and it has translated to yearly growth and development at an exponential rate. His junior season tape is electric. He may only be 6'2" but that hasn't hurt him on the DL. You see the power in his hands to instantly toss OTs aside when he finds the ball. His closing speed in the backfield jumps off the tape. The use of leverage is fantastic and paired with his raw strength has made him a force that can collapse the pocket with his bull rush. So many of his strengths and best highlights stem from years of dedication in the weight room, and he isn't slowing down yet. I can only imagine how violent he will be as a senior.     This is another kid that while he may be undersized for the edge position that hasn't stopped him from producing on Friday nights. Jacob was a key piece to an Arrowhead defense that helped secure the D1 State Championship. Jacob is at his best when he can show off that quick first step. Throughout his highlights you see him in the backfield almost as soon as the ball gets there. The range to also chase down the ball in the backfield or downfield is also a strong trait of his. What has been great to see this season was Jacob's ability to flash some power and turning that first step quickness into power to set the edge. He isn't done growing yet, so I'm excited to see how he looks this spring/summer.     We wrap up the article with a set of twins on the DL. First up we have 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='1709716' first='Zac' last='Meulemans']. The 6'3"" 240 lbs sophomore actually took a lot of snaps lining up on the inside of the OT this past season. The sophomore did a really good job of creating space and finding the football through all the trash in the trenches. He possesses enough quickness and short area agility to then get through gaps or slip around an OL to get to the football. His highlights also have so many clips of high motor plays like working across the formation to finally get to the ball. Size, quickness, and effort earned Zac early varsity experience and should have him ready for a big junior season.     The other half of this impressive set of twins is [player_tooltip player_id='1709734' first='Ty' last='Meulemans']. Ty brings that same intensity and high motor that we see in Zac's film as well. With Ty we see more examples of his raw power and how effective he uses it to win in the trenches. He is able to stand up OTs in the run game and bull rush in the pass game. Ty does really well getting hands on and maintaining excellent leverage position to maximize that power of his. I'm excited to see how far he has come this offseason and hope to cross paths with him this summer at camps.

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