2026 Edge Rusher New Additions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're in the middle of an August Rankings Update <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/august-rankings-update-behind-the-scenes-of-the-2026-class/">built more on additions than movement</a>. Accordingly, we've got a lot of new players to look at. We hit all the offensive players earlier this week, and the interior defensive linemen Friday. Here, we're breaking down a few of the 15 new edge rusher to our rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a look at some 2026 edge rusher new additions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2026 Edge Rusher New Additions</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1707501"],"_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-68962dd47bfa2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Despite his slender build, Elder can really get after the quarterback, thanks to great bend and good pass-rushing I.Q. He's a multi-sport athlete, as he's also a fairly speedy utility guy for the baseball team. He's not the biggest guy, but can often win as a standup edge rusher who can set the edge and play fundamental football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1698661"],"_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-68962dd47bffe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lugo isn't the flashiest guy on a talented Cleveland defense, but he's one of the most effective. He's a solid contributor off the edge both as a run-stopper and a pass-rusher. He racked up 10 sacks last year during Cleveland's impressive run, and looks poised to have another huge season as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1607067"],"_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-68962dd47c049"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rogers isn't new to us or to our database, but he's technically new to our class of 2026 as he reclassified back to a senior and transferred to Grimsley. There, he should pick up where he left off after last year's incredible 23-sack season at Dudley. He has elite length and bend around the edge, giving him a leg up on offensive linemen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1694402"],"_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-68962dd47c091"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Taylor just made our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/prep-redzone-2a-preseason-all-state-team/">2A All-State team</a> before the season as one of the best returning pass-rushers in that classification. He wins with speed and bend, and he's difficult for offensive linemen to square up. He doesn't have the elite numbers from a year ago, but the high-academic edge rusher should have a big senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1717339"],"_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-68962dd47c0e2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Eaton just made our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/prep-redzone-2a-preseason-all-state-team/">2A All-State team</a> ahead of his senior season. He's a bigger edge rusher, especially for that class, and he makes his presence felt off the edge. A big-hitter, Eaton excels as an outside run defender and has flashed as a pass-rusher in the past as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1720252"],"_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-68962dd47c129"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Johnson is one of the top returning pass-rushers in the state, racking up 12 sacks as a junior. He has long arms and can bend around offensive linemen with relative ease, which makes up for his lack of elite height and weight. He's a talented run defender as well and really opens things up for the rest of the Jack Britt defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Other Edge Rusher New Additions</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1715260' first='Zay' last='Derr']</strong>, Newton-Conover</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1738136' first='Austin' last='Hardcastle']</strong>, Holly Springs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1685451' first='Mason' last='Vigna']</strong>, Charlotte Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1699333' first='Emmanuel' last='Miller']</strong>, West Craven</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1703184' first='Charlie' last='Stedman']</strong>, Harnett Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1703204' first='Eli' last='Willard']</strong>, North Johnston</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1706350' first='Jason' last='Arrowood']</strong>, East Rutherford</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1698484' first='Josiah' last='Dickens']</strong>, Tarboro</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1701339' first='Nolan' last='Evans']</strong>, Northern Durham</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->