3A/4A Edge Rushers To Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>June is one of my favorite months of the Prep Redzone Calendar because we get to start preseason content. One thing I loved last year was taking the time to break down players by classification. Players in the smaller classifications get overlooked, so we want to make sure to properly cover those classes. Here, we'll look at five edge rushers to know in North Carolina's 3A and 4A classifications.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Five 3A/4A Edge Rushers to Know in 2026</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Editor's Note: Check out our other 3A/4A Breakdowns</em><br><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/3a-4a-quarterbacks-to-know/">QBs</a></strong><br><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/3a-4a-running-backs-to-know/">RBs</a></strong><br><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/3a-4a-wrs-to-know-2/">WRs</a></strong><br><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/small-school-offensive-linemen-to-know/">Small-School OL</a></strong><br><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/3a-4a-interior-defensive-linemen-to-know-2/">IDLs</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687752' first='Tyson' last='Williams']</strong> | Shelby</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams is a long edge rusher with freakish pass-rushing potential. He's already an elite run defender, and he's turned heads at multiple SEC camps this offseason. The fourth-ranked player in the 2028 class is still developing physically, and by the time he's a senior, we could be talking about a guy with double-digit sack potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1678650' first='Kadence' last='Pruitt']</strong> | Reidsville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Few pass rushers across the state have had as strong an offseason as Pruitt, who has picked up numerous FBS offers. The explosive pass rusher has excellent speed and power, and he's flashed elite bend, as well. "Thor" had a phenomenal junior season for Reidsville, capped by an outstanding performance in which he was unblockable in the state championship game. Expect him to continue to rack up both sacks and offers over the next six months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1570183' first='Isaiah' last='Leonard']</strong> | West Davidson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leonard isn't the tallest pass rusher, and he could ultimately move off the ball at the next level. However, his power profile is excellent, and he racked up four sacks in just six games as a junior. That followed a seven-sack season in 2024. He's a splash-play specialist who had an interception, a forced fumble, and a long fumble return as a junior for a strong West Davidson defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/taron-mitchell/">Ta'Ron Mitchell</a></strong> | Bunn</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mitchell plays longer than his 6-foot-2 frame suggests. That's obvious on film, as he's able to keep taller tackles off his body and make plays in the run game. He also has excellent bend around the edge, which helps him as a pass rusher. After six sacks as a junior, we wouldn't be surprised to see Mitchell take another step forward after a busy offseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2206350' first='Brooks' last='Hayden']</strong> | Maiden</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hayden broke out as a junior, especially as a pass-rusher, racking up 8.5 sacks for Maiden last season. He has excellent size and length, allowing him to beat tackles with speed and power. We really like how he plays the run. A couple of his highlights on tape start just after the snap, which actually highlights his get-off, since he's often halfway into a pass-rushing move while every other player on the field is still in his stance. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Our preseason coverage is just getting started. Coaches, if you want your team featured in a team preview,&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeB9YBH_he_sOP-lhvI26XRh0P9vobS8PsVJy_5QCJ4jQLTvQ/viewform?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=118251332469799088451">fill out our survey</a>.&nbsp;Want to share Prep Redzone with a friend? Help them get 30% off their first billing cycle with promo code Helms30.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->