2027 Edge/DL Report: New Additions and Stock-Risers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's that time again! In case you missed it, we&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/north-carolina/rankings/2027-rankings/">updated our 2027 rankings</a>, and we have plenty of stock-risers and new additions. I've already gone&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/behind-the-scenes-of-the-2027-rankings-update-october/">behind the scenes</a>&nbsp;on this update, giving fans an insight into our thinking and decision-making process within the rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here, we're going in-depth on some of the guys in the trenches, looking at both the edge rushers and interior defensive linemen. Here is our 2027 Edge/DL report.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2027 Edge/DL New Additions</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We generally keep a strong tab on the defensive line, so we only have a few new additions. Here, we break down those new players in the rankings</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1953561"],"_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-68f2ffa67b332"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dudley lost a premier pass-rusher in the weeks before the season, and Cotton has more than answered the call. The length junior has 13 sacks through eight games, and he's been nominated for multiple player of the week awards. He wins mostly off of athleticism, so he still has some untapped potential as a scary pass-rusher.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1953781"],"_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-68f2ffa67b3a8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">On a defensive line with multiple future FBS players, it's Smith who leads the team in sacks. He's getting major push on the interior of the line while playing alongside some longer edge rushers, and we think the inside of the defensive line is ultimately where he ends up at the next level. He flies under the radar on a team full of stars, but he's a guy to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1895125"],"_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-68f2ffa67b401"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Freedom is one of the top 6A teams in the state, perhaps to the surprise of some, and Greene has done his part up front. He's a strong run defender, even at his size, and he has 11 tackles for loss in the first six games of the season. He's flashed as a pass-rusher, and as he gets bigger and stronger, he should improve in that department.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2027 Edge/DL Stock-Risers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1706217"],"_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-68f2ffa67b44a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Obst has had a strong year for a defense that has quietly been one of the top in the state. He can play both on the interior of the line and the edge, and he causes havoc wherever he lines up. He has plenty of strength to hold up in the running game, and he's flashed as a pass-rusher, with four sacks on the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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-68f2ffa67b492"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Perkins has grown some in the last year, putting to rest any doubts about his ability to stay at edge long term. He has an absurd first step, and this season, he's turned into a surefire Power FOur prospect, a guy who is rising in the rankings not just for us, but on college prospect lists as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1158999"],"_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-68f2ffa67b4e5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wilbert transferred to Millbrook and has had an immediate impact on one of the best defenses in the state. He's bulked up a bit, giving him increased impact against the run. He's flashed as a pass-rusher too, with four sacks, a couple of them on quick pressures.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->