Top 7 Edge Rushers in Durham/Orange County

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're working through the position groups in the RDU area as part of our Deep Dives series. Both Durham and Orange County lost a lot of edge rusher talent last year, but there's still plenty of talent in the area. Which players make the Deep Dive rankings? Here are the top seven edge rushers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Best Edge Rushers in Durham/Orange County</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Editor's Note: The ranked edge rushers are listed in order from first to seventh. Rankings reflect a combination of 2025 production and predicted 2026 impact.</em><br><br><strong>Other Durham/Orange County Deep Dives:</strong><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/durham-orange-county-qb-deep-dive/">QBs</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/deep-dive-top-7-durham-orange-county-rbs/">RBs</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/top-7-wrs-in-durham-orange-county/">WRs</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/deep-dive-top-10-tes-in-rdu/">RDU TEs</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/top-6-ol-in-durham-orange-county/">OL</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/deep-dive-top-5-idls-in-durham-orange-county/">IDLs</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1607844"],"_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-69bb62e2bc037"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Perkins is one of our top-rated edge rushers in the 2027 class, and his skill set is unique among his peers. Less of a pure speed guy, Perkins still has a great first step, but his bread is buttered with his power. He excels at the shot put, and that upper-body strength shows up on tape. He's on a line that loses a lot of interior talent, but I still think he can top this season's pass-rushing numbers in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2109373"],"_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-69bb62e2bc097"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Johnson had a breakout year in 2025, leading Southern Durham in tackles, tackles for loss, sacks, and forcing two fumbles in the process. He's a high-I.Q. defensive end who can both set the edge and rush the passer. Johnson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1701344"],"_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-69bb62e2bc0de"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hardy's 3.5 sacks were second for Hillside last season, but his impact goes beyond the box score. On an undersized defensive line, Hardy is strong enough to do the dirty work, eat up blocks, and free up teammates. He can slide down inside, but he's at his best off the edge. His length is much better than you'd expect from a guy under six feet, and that allows him to beat blocks with speed and bend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1701343"],"_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-69bb62e2bc122"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Johnson's always been a talented technician, but he put on more weight last offseason, and you could tell by the way he held up and even thrived in the running game. He's highly athletic and can move around the line. He's a versatile piece who will take on a bigger role in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1857986"],"_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-69bb62e2bc165"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Muldrow burst onto the scene as a freshman with double-digit sack numbers. We'll look for him to gain some more weight this offseason, but he's had a great start to his career on a team that has turned into a factory for talented defensive linemen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2153515"],"_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-69bb62e2bc1a8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lyons doesn't have the raw sack numbers that some of the other guys on the list have, but he's lightning quick off the line and racked up plenty of tackles for loss. His first step is excellent, and he's often able to beat offensive linemen to a spot to make plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2153486"],"_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-69bb62e2bc1eb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Scott is a versatile edge defender who should have more opportunities as a senior. When he gets the chance to fire off the line, he can beat blocks with pure speed and acceleration. As he continues to add weight, he'll be able to match up more consistently in the power running game.</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. Deep Dives continue over the coming weeks before our spring rankings update.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->