The Film Room: TN2027 Edge Rushers

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">As the game has evolved over the years, so have the players and positions on the field, especially the pass rushers. Inside our latest film room, here we break down five edge rushers from the TN2027 class that sport college upside with a few of them looking like top level prospects. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(Edge) [player_tooltip player_id='1310642' first='Antwan' last='Jackson'] - White Station</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Strengths: </strong>This Memphis area product has everything you want in today's college edge rushers. Jackson is tall (6'6) and long with a great frame for additional weight along with natural athleticism, bend, speed and twitch that translates well to the Power Four playing stage. The Spartans senior moves well for his size, showing nice lateral movements and the ability to change directions at the drop of a dime. He can set the edge versus the run with his length and upper body strength or immediately break off blocks and chase down the ball. The speed Jackson brings to the field can be a game changer. He gets from point “A” to point “B” very quickly then usually finishes with violence. Jackson has the range as well to go from sideline to sideline while having the desire and motor to run down field, chasing after the football. He also does well at staying in the pass lanes and using his length to either block the pass or be in the way. This guy runs well and is a tremendous athlete that can do just about everything asked of him.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Needed Development: </strong>When you look at his measurables and watch his film, you don't find too many flaws with Jackson. He does need to continue filling out and getting bigger but the athletic tools are set in place. Gaining additional weight would make him more formidable against the run and allow him to use more pass rushing strength moves when getting after the quarterback. Also watching more game tape and learning the game further would boost his overall football knowledge and make him more dangerous as an edge rusher.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>College Potential: </strong>I think the college potential for Jackson has already been established. The Spartans senior edge rusher already holds offers from the likes of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Missouri, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas and several others. You will continue to see other Power Four programs get on board with Jackson as he is too appealing of a college prospect to look past. As I said above, this West Tennessee prospect has everything you want with a college pass rusher and I think he is just scratching the surface with his potential. If Jackson continues to develop over these off-season months and puts together a stellar senior year, I could see the Spartans defender work his way into a Top 100 national prospect.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2113523,"width":"202px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"0.6669960474308301","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/antjackson.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-2113523" style="aspect-ratio:0.6669960474308301;width:202px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(Edge) [player_tooltip player_id='1847720' first='Mikhai' last='Moshay'] - Pearl Cohn&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Strengths: </strong>Looking the part is half the battle for football recruits and this Nashville area product definitely brings the physical outlook wanted for the next level. Standing 6 '4 200 plus pounds, Moshay has the height and length wanted on the edge along with the natural athletic abilities to become an eventual college game wrecker. The Firebirds senior displays a good burst off the snap along with a nice bend that allows him to get low and through would-be blockers. Moshay comes off the ball well then shows an extra gear when out of his stance. He gets to the quarterback quickly, especially when his motor sits on high. Once he is in mid-chase with his speed cranked up, opposing blockers have a hard time getting a grasp on Moshay as he fights through those blocks and towards the ball. His athleticism and speed also allows him to do good work versus the run. Moshay shows upside in setting the edge and either stringing the run outside or force the ball carrier inside to either make the tackle or filter him towards his teammates. The motor is something I also like about Moshay and I can see it cranking up even further with continued love for the game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Needed Development: </strong>While Moshay presents a lot of upside, he has a ways to go before he reaches his maximum capabilities. The first thing to push his game further is hitting the dinner table and adding more size then hitting the weight room to form his body much further. Moshay sits at only 205 pounds right now but certainly has the frame to pack on an additional 40 to 50 pounds. Having the athleticism and quickness that Moshay does, using his hands more often would help his pass rush tremendously. I also see needed work in stopping the run. Adding in more weight would certainly help in that area but also using his length to push back blockers would help as well.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>College Potential: </strong>Moshay is dripping with potential! He sports the physical traits and look of a guy that can reach the Power Four playing stage one day and I think he can reach that status before his senior recruiting process is over. East Carolina has already offered, which puts Moshay squarely on the D1 radar but I foresee many others getting on board sooner than later due to his high level potential. The Firebirds edge rusher is a definite Top 100 in-state prospect but he could work his way into the Top 50 with a big off-season of development.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(Edge) [player_tooltip player_id='932943' first='Jaden' last='Stafford'] - Lebanon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Strengths: </strong>Coming off a standout junior season that showed the kind of upside that can be developed on the college level, Stafford is an athletic, quick twitch guy that may turn out to be one of the fastest rushers we have from the TN2028 class. The Blue Devils defender has impressive junior film that mainly shows Stafford working at middle linebacker but I feel his upside fits best rushing off the edge in college. What's intriguing is the fact that Stafford fits well off the edge but sports the athleticism and versatility to work at “MIKE” and excel. Stafford moves very well, showing agile, fluid lower body movements and quick feet that puts him on the ball quickly. Another trait I like about Stafford is his motor. This guy plays fast and hard. He diagnoses the play early then attacks without hesitation while showing a great feel for picking the right tackling lanes. The flexibility is strong here with Stafford. I can see him bending around the edge well and staying low while chasing after the quarterback. I can see potential as well with the Blue Devils senior when it comes to playing in pass coverage, competing in space.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Needed Development: </strong>The biggest and most glaring need this off-season is for Stafford to pack on the weight. He sports a slender frame right now while sitting around 200 pounds but does have the body to pack on more size and become more physical at the point of attack. On occasions, this Mid-Tennessee product can get caught up in the wash. Gaining the added weight will allow Stafford to shed blocks better and get to the ball quicker. Looking through his junior film, you don't see a lot of edge work, so learning how to play out there and develop a pass rush skill set is needed as well.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>College Potential: </strong>I see a lot of upside with Stafford and his potential to become a high major college prospect one day. The fact that it will take time for the Blue Devils senior defensive prospect to put on the weight to compete on the biggest stage of college football means Stafford might have to start his next level career on the FCS or D2 level. I do feel that Stafford can develop enough this off-season with a big senior year to jump into the D1 ranks before he signs. That all depends on his work at the dinner table and in the weight room. Stafford is a seriously athletic dude that moves well. He is a long term, big payoff prospect that might turn into an impact pass rusher one day as long as he stays on his current trajectory.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2138412,"width":"252px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/jstafford.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2138412" style="width:252px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(Edge) [player_tooltip player_id='1871036' first='Elijah' last='Valentine'] - Sevier Co.&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Strengths: </strong>A recent new addition to the Smoky Bears defensive front, Valentine is a multi-year starting pass rusher that shows a nice combination of athleticism, deceptive speed and physical game play. This East Tennessee prospect is a max effort guy that comes off the ball well enough but uses his competitive nature and strength to win. Valentine does well at the point of attack extending his arms and shedding blocks into the backfield. He displays some active hands that help him win as well. The Smoky Bears edge rusher has a nice frame that can pack on more size and give Valentine a better shot at winning his reps. While the pass rush is a part of his game, Valentine also does solid work against the run. His physicality at the point of attack helps with getting off blocks and chasing down the ball or pushing the ball carrier back inside. His compete factor and pursuit plays well versus the run. You don't have to worry about Valentine giving his all as his film shows someone that plays with heart and a desire to do well.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Needed Development: </strong>There are several factors about Valentine to like but he is still far from a finished product with multiple areas about himself that need further development. For him to become an impactful edge rusher, Valentine must gain a quicker first step off the snap while enhancing his overall speed. The Smoky Bears senior could increase his overall athleticism as well. Valentine could also stand for adding more weight to his frame and becoming a more physical specimen that would allow him to become better against bigger offensive linemen.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>College Potential: </strong>A lot depends on where Valentine lands at in college by his off-season development and work this Fall season. If he can enhance his athleticism and speed, getting into the FCS ranks is very possible. I can see higher levels with Valentine and upside to develop in the right direction. His move to Sevier Co. to play his senior year might help the cause where Valentine will face higher competition that could help showcase his game better working on the end of the line. I do foresee this East Tennessee product being a Top 200 guy when our new senior rankings are released and a prospect worth following over the coming months.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(Edge) [player_tooltip player_id='1566184' first='Landon' last='McCarter'] - Cookeville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Strengths: </strong>Sitting under the radar but sporting some of the best bend, speed combo I've seen on film thus far is this Middle Tennessee edge rusher with a lot of untapped potential. McCarter doesn't have an official junior film created yet but his clips show me upside and a disruptive force that is still far from reaching his maximum capabilities. The first thing that stands out is his initial burst and bend around the edge. McCarter shows a quick first step that allows him to gain leverage or get past his blocker then bend towards finding the football. Even though McCarter stands roughly 6 '2 and 200 pounds, he uses his smaller size and speed to get under would-be blockers and make things difficult for them. Once he clears the block, the Cavs senior edge rusher turns on his extra gear and pursues the ball with ultimate aggression. His active motor and competitive nature helps in the run game as well. McCarter plays hard and fast, giving max effort every time he steps onto the field, which helps when getting after the run.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Needed Development: </strong>The raw pass rushing talent is in-place for McCarter but he is still far from a finished product. The biggest thing needed moving forward is additional weight. The Cavaliers defender is lite in the britches right now and will need at least 30 pounds added to contend on the college level. The added weight would help with holding up on blocks as well as being more suited to play the run. Enhancing his pass rush sets would do wonders as well, meaning using his hands more while coming up with more moves.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>College Potential: </strong>McCarter is a tough guy to pinpoint for the next level as one side of me says he could maneuver his way into the D1 ranks one day but the other side of me speaks towards the FCS or D2 playing stage being his destination. His ability to bend, get around the corner and chase down the quarterback is a premium trait for the college game and beyond. This Mid-Tennessee product shows that ability on film and the upside to improve further with continued growth. McCarter's level of importance towards football and his development this off-season will go a long way towards becoming the kind of player I think he can be and his future on the collegiate gridiron.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/tennessee/prospects/player-database/">#TN2027 Prospect Database</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1695471,"width":"253px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/lmccarteer.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1695471" style="width:253px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->