The Film Room: TN2027 Edge Rushers (Part II)

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">It's the off-season, so we stay in the film lab, evaluating prospects on a constant basis. We remain with the edge rushers inside our latest evals with five guys I see having a college future, including a couple of guys that could reach the Power Four or D1 playing stage. </h2>     (Edge) [player_tooltip player_id='1693459' first='Jayland' last='Eckford'] - Jackson Central-Merry   Strengths: Physically well built with good arm length and a frame that can pack on more weight, Eckford is someone I'm in high favor of and think his best football is ahead of him. This West Tennessee talent has the physical tools to make an impact on the college level and he is just scratching the surface on his maximum potential. The first thing you like is his release off the snap. Eckford is an athletic guy that shows a quick 1st step and closing speed towards the ball along with a nice bend, which makes things difficult for opposing blockers. The Cougars edge rusher shows explosive flashes when rushing the backfield. He also plays with controlled violence (Eckford attacks blockers with tenacity) and a physical approach to the game that should appeal to college coaches. Eckford takes on blocks well, showing physicality at the point of attack. He has the athleticism and agility along with nice range to shed blocks then chase down the ball. This is an agile guy that is lite on his feet with the ability to change directions. He also displays good arm extension and the ability to push back his blocker. Eckford might have some of the longest arms inside the TN2027 class as well.    Needed Development: While Eckford runs and moves well, he could increase his speed to become faster and more devastating coming off the edge. He also needs to add in more weight and overall size to fill out what is an excellent frame. Adding in more power will allow him to stack blocks and work better at setting the edge versus the run. Eckford is already a natural athlete that shows fluid movements but he could increase his agility further, which would allow him to play in space, especially off the ball at inside linebacker. There is a lot of pass rushing upside with the Cougars rising senior, so developing his hand work would help him become more difficult to handle.    College Potential: I think the sky is the limit for this senior edge rusher. I personally believe Eckford is a power four prospect just waiting for those offers to arrive. He already holds a couple of D1 opportunities, including one from MTSU but I think his offer list will explode over the coming months, especially as more coaches look over his film and eventually see him in camp this summer. Eckford does need an impactful 2026 campaign both in camps and his senior year to potentially turn the tide in his recruitment. He also needs to hit the dinner table and weight room to pack on more pounds and fill out his frame the way it's needed but the room to grow is definitely there. I foresee Eckford being a Top 50 in-state prospect that has a chance to move into the Top 30 with continued development.    - - - - -    (Edge) [player_tooltip player_id='1207775' first='Julius' last='Malden'] - Riverdale   Strengths: Dripping with potential, Maulden is an athletic pass rusher that might have some of the best edge speed within the TN2027 class. The Warriors senior defender comes off the ball well then shows the ability to get skinny through the creases and work his way into the backfield. Maulden has a nice bend coming around the edge while also displaying a versatile pass rush skill set. He also has good arm length that he uses to dip under tackles or put them up to disrupt passing lanes. That arm length also allows Maulden to stack blocks and set the edge against the run. This Murfreesboro area senior sports an agile lower base that allows him to get around the edge then throttle down the line towards the football. Fluid and easy moving, Maulden is lite on his feet with the ability to change directions at the drop of a dime and chase down the ball. Range is something I see out of the Warriors edge rusher as well. That range and the ability to play in open space could help him play in pass coverage down the road. Maulden could be one of the better pure athletes coming out of this year's edge rushing class that sports a lot of next level upside.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/Photo-Jan-25-2026-1-32-34-PM-crop-1196x786-1769369655.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2112758" style="width:365px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Riverdale EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='1207775' first='Julius' last='Malden'] </figcaption></figure>   Needed Development: If Maudlen wants to turn into the kind of player I think he can, hitting the dinner table and weight room is a must. This guy is lite in britches right now with a slender frame that has to pack on the pounds to fill out further and become a better multi-dimensional pass rusher. I worry about Maulden holding up against the run and being shoved off the ball. Gaining weight and increasing his power is a must. Enhancing his pass rush bag is on the “to-do” list as well. I like how he can dip and get under tackles but using his hands more would force opposing blockers to guess instead of keying on one certain area.    College Potential: All the athletic traits are in place for Maulden to become an outstanding pass rusher on the college stage. The Warriors senior brings some of the best pure athleticism and agility to his position within our senior edge rushing class. I do see potential for Maulden to develop into a Power Four level guy. It may take time to get there and Maulden might have to start on the D1 or FCS playing field first but the upside is there for this Mid-Tennessee product to get to the highest stage of college football. Adding in more weight and overall size is key towards Maulden making that happen.    - - - - -    (Edge) [player_tooltip player_id='1705068' first='Jace' last='Boyd'] - Alcoa    Strengths: Sporting good size with a frame that can push on more weight, Boyd is a long term, big payoff prospect that has the ability to rush the backfield or work against the run. Transferring to Alcoa from William Blount for his senior year, Boyd is a physical competitor that has solid arm length, which he uses well with extending into blockers. He uses that arm length and his upper body strength to win with his pass rush. Standing 6 '4 235 pounds, Boyd has the look and body frame to excel as an edge rusher or potentially play as a traditional defensive end. The Tornadoes senior shows nice instincts towards finding the ball while displaying nice pursuit down the line. He is a physical hitter with a wide radius that can engulf opponents, especially in the run game. Playing against the run and being a power rusher is where I think Boyd's upside in college resides the best. I certainly see upside with Boyd in setting the edge and forcing the run back inside. He does have the ability to play standing up or compete with his hand in the dirt.    Needed Development: The physical size and traits are in place for Boyd but he has a lot of work to do with his athleticism, agility and explosion. I'm not worried about him putting on weight and holding up well against physicality but Boyd must enhance his athletic skills and speed to become the kind of pass rusher he can be. Exploding off the snap is something Boyd must work on as well. Getting faster coming off the ball is critical towards Boyd winning his reps and becoming more of a disruptor. Cranking up his motor is something I also would like to see more of throughout his upcoming senior year.    College Potential: This East Tennessee product is an interesting case for me. While a lot of improvement and work must be done, I like the potential from Boyd and his ability to excel on the next level. For the time being, I believe the FCS playing stage is where Boyd is pinpointed. I do see a scenario where he can work his way into becoming a D1 guy but that's further down the road with continued development. His move to Alcoa this Fall might prove to be a big decision for him as I expect the Tornadoes to develop him properly and enhance his overall skill set. Performing well at college camps this summer will also be a big moment for Boyd to show out and force coaches to look his way.    - - - - -    (Edge) [player_tooltip player_id='906623' first='Will' last='Copeland'] - BGA   Strengths: Transitioning fully to edge linebacker last season, Copeland is an interesting talent that moves well and shows upside as a potential disruptive pass rusher on the college level. The Wildcats senior is a good athlete that shows a solid get-off and the bend needed to chase down the quarterback along with the range to string out the run game. Looking through his junior film, Copeland displays an easy moving lower base and quick feet that translates well to the college game. You see occasional flashes of explosive play from Copeland as well, especially when he's lined up one on one. The Wildcats edge defender does a good job of getting skinny and in-between blockers and making things difficult for the opposition to gain a good position on him. Versatility appears to be a good trait coming out of Copeland as well. I believe he fits best standing up and coming off the edge but he can play with his hand in the dirt or even work at “MIKE” linebacker if needed to. The motor is strong with Copeland. He is a max effort guy that competes hard and continues to churn his feet towards finding the football.    Needed Development: I see potential with Copeland but he is far off from becoming the kind of talent I think he can develop into. The biggest thing looking forward to college is for this Mid-Tennessee product to pack on significant weight. Copeland sits around 215 pounds right now but has the frame to add an additional 20 to 30 more pounds and fill out his body and frame much further. Adding more size would help Copeland in stopping the run and setting the edge better. I also think it would help with his arm extension and pushing back blockers with his pass rush. Copeland moves well but I can see where adding in more speed and explosion is needed.    College Potential: I like the building blocks here with the Wildcats pass rusher. He has solid size and a frame that should be filled out further once he arrives at the college level. Copeland displays nice upside getting after the quarterback and being able to play in space when called upon. I do see his college path beginning on the FCS stage with the opportunity to move up with further development. His recruitment appears to be going slow right now but that can change with a strong showing during camps this summer and a breakout year this Fall with his Wildcats team.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/wcopeland2.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-2146892" style="width:281px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    (Edge) [player_tooltip player_id='2136001' first='Casey' last='Garner'] - Perry Co.    Strengths: We have gone deep into the film room with this guy! Coming from a small town and small school program, Garner is way under the radar right now but someone that could jump into the limelight with a strong off-season of work and development. A lot of his work on film is seen playing with his hand in the dirt, which is something he could do in college but I see potential for Garner standing up off the edge and using his athleticism and length to cause damage. What I also like about this Mid-Tennessee product is his physical build and frame. The Vikings senior is well put together physically with room to get bigger. The athletic, lower body movements aren't bad either. Garner shows flashes of agile play on tape along with the ability to change directions quickly and chase down the ball. This guy is a violent finisher too. I like his approach to the game and willingness to get physical at the point of attack and maintain a strong motor with max effort.    Needed Development: While I speak in high favor above about Garner, there is a lot of development to go for the Vikings senior lineman. First thing you have to notice is the level of competition Garner plays against. It's not the best and the O-line's he plays won't show everything you want to see. He also doesn't have a lot of experience playing on the edge. Most of his tape is seen on the line with his hand in dirt, so Garner would need to learn how to play in space before making a major impact. The Vikings senior could use more time in the lab enhancing his overall athleticism and speed. I do see a scenario where Garner completely forms into a traditional defensive end or your end power rusher.    College Potential: Garner is definitely a long term prospect that will need time to grow into his body and develop at a proper rate. What I see is potential and an upside as an end edge rusher that could pay off down the road. As things sit right now, I think Garner might have to begin his college career on the D2 level but depending how he works this off-season, shows out during camp season and performs his senior year, the Vikings 6 '3 prospect could play his way into an FCS guy. I'm interested to see how these next several months go for Garner and how much he can grow his stock.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/cgarner-crop-610x400-1772923679.jpg?w=609" alt="" class="wp-image-2146885" style="aspect-ratio:1.5225625438391397;width:395px;height:auto" /></figure>