Top 8 Edge Rushers in Wake County

March has been heavy on <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/top-8-ol-in-wake-county/">deep dives</a>, and over the last two weeks, we've broken down the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/deep-dive-top-10-tes-in-rdu/">top players in 11 counties</a>, covering over 150 prospects in the RDU area, all on the offensive side of the ball. This week, we've started evaluating the best defensive prospects in the area. Here, we're ranking a deep Wake County edge rusher class.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Best Edge Rushers in Wake County</h2>   Editor's Note: The ranked defensive linemen are listed in order from first to eighth. Rankings reflect a combination of 2025 production and predicted 2026 impact.   Other Wake County Deep Dives: <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/wake-county-qb-deep-dive/">QBs</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/deep-dive-top-7-wake-county-rbs/">RBs</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/top-10-wrs-in-wake-county/">WRs</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/deep-dive-top-10-tes-in-rdu/">RDU TEs</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/top-8-ol-in-wake-county/">OL</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/deep-dive-top-6-idls-in-wake-county/">IDLs</a>    Not only does Streets take the No. 1 spot in our Wake County rankings, but he's also the top edge rusher in the state, regardless of class. Streets can win with speed, power, and technique, and as a junior, he improved as a run defender, showing he can seal the edge without losing much as a pass-rusher.     After years of being the No. 2 (although more productive) edge rusher for Rolesville, Broadie is the guy now. He generates a ton of pressures, even if the sack numbers don't pop out. He's an elite run defender, and as he continues to put on weight, he's turned into a Power Four prospect.     Johnson rocketed up our board after first hitting the radar early last season. His film is far better than the raw stats show, and obviously college programs agree, as he's gained a ton of momentum on the recruiting trail with offseason offers from a handful of Group of Five schools. This year, I expect the sack numbers to tick up for one of the top young pass rushers in the state.     Sizer plays a hybrid outside linebacker role for Millbrook, but he's most comfortable rushing the passer off the edge, so we've ranked him here. He has an electric first step, which not only helps him as a pass rusher but also as a run stopper, as he's able to get to gaps and wrap up ball carriers.     Sturdivant transferred to Wake Forest and immediately became a pass-rushing threat for the Cougars, racking up eight sacks as a junior. He's a lengthy defensive end with excellent bend around the edge, which allows him to win with speed. Sturdivant is an ascending prospect who could see his stock soar as a senior.     The Garner defense swarmed last season, with three guys with at least eight sacks. Two of them graduate, leaving Taylor as the top guy. He can play inside or outside and he's relentless in pursuit, often making plays on his second or even his third pass-rushing move. If Garner wants to make another deep playoff run, Taylor will be a key.     Smith can play off the ball or on the line, and he was part of a ferocious front seven for Middle Creek last season. He's an impressive run defender with some pass-rushing flashes, and honestly, his raw numbers were hurt simply by other linemen finishing plays after his initial pass rush disrupted pockets. Expect a strong offseason in the weight room and for Smith to take the next step in his development.     Hunter has the potential to be one of the few power rushers in a class full of speed guys. The Apex edge rusher had five sacks last season as a sophomore, and he came close to several more. With another year in his strength program, Hunter should be able to build the speed and bend to take the next step as a primary pass rusher for an up-and-coming Apex squad.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Names To Know</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='1666240' first='Jacob' last='Bowen'] | Millbrook   [player_tooltip player_id='1854294' first='Luc' last='Mohamed'] | Green Level   [player_tooltip player_id='2113126' first='Xavier' last='Taylor'] | Wake Forest   [player_tooltip player_id='2005526' first='Maddox' last='Laws'] | Wake Christian Academy   Jacob Stanford | Enloe   [player_tooltip player_id='1679986' first='Lacina' last='Coulibaly'] | Panther Creek   Oliver Alexander | Heritage   This is the time of year when we have the most time to dive into film, re-evaluate prospects, and revisit past opinions about players across the state. Send your film on Twitter/X (<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>), so I can evaluate you. We'll continue Deep Dives over the next month before jumping into our spring rankings update.

March has been heavy on deep dives, and over the last two weeks, we've broken down the top players in 11 counties, covering over 150 prospects in the RDU area, all on the offensive side of the ball. This week, we've started evaluating the best defensive prospects in the area. Here, we're ranking a deep Wake County edge rusher class.