Stacking up the 2025 NFL draft EDGE class: Abdul Carter, James Pearce highlight diverse group

As opposed to last year's class, this group is more wide open and diverse. Here's my early projections.

Now that rookie minicamps have passed and OTAs continue across the NFL, it’s time to turn the page and dive fully into the 2025 NFL draft eligible class. As promised in my last post, we’re diving fully into every position group leading up to the 2024 college football season, and we start with a talented, yet projection driven EDGE class.

While last year’s class was evident in who the top players were coming into the season, with Laiatu Latu and Jared Verse staying in school for their final seasons, and early flashes from Dallas Turner, the 2025 class has plenty of distinct characteristics: long limbed, bendy athletes; big, powerful throwback players; linebacker/edge hybrids; three to five technique versatility; and, of course, undersized anomalies, who can really get after the passer.

Though other players will emerge during the season, summer scouting is all about finding players with traits and production. With that in mind, here’s several trait designations I gave to this class of pass rushers, a brief synopsis of their skill set, and an early EDGE ranking that will evolve over the course of the summer.

Bendy and explosive

James Pearce Jr., Tennessee

Though he’s played 40 or more snaps in a game just twice in his college career, Pearce is an explosive talent with elite change of direction ability and a dynamic first-step that is impossible to stop once he gets a full head of steam.

As a rotational player, Pearce burst on the scene as a sophomore, collecting 14.5 tackles for loss, 10 of those sacks — while only starting in three games last season. There’s plenty of evidence to bet on his athleticism and traits to replicate that production, though he should see more double teams, chips, and better blocking schemes. His ability to win on an inside and outside track makes him a dangerous and a nightmare to pass set against.

Still, he needs to become more diversified in his pass rush plan — right now its speed and power — but it’s impressive how he utilizes his length to create separation. Becoming a better run defender as well should be high on the list of priorities for the 6-foot-5, 242 pound specimen.

Patrick Payton, Florida State

Probably my favorite player in this category, Florida State’s Payton shined numerous times while watching his teammate Verse last season. He bends like Gumby — nearly parallel with the ground — using his length to his advantage as a pass rusher, specifically in speed to power pass rushes and as a run defender. The redshirt junior won ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2022 with nine tackles for loss and six sacks, and nearly doubled his TFL production (14.5) in 2023, adding seven of those via sacks.

When he doesn’t get home as a pass rusher, Payton is disruptive by using his length to deflect passes. He had 10 PBUs in 2023 (most by ACC lineman since 2016), finding ways to impact plays even if he didn’t directly affect the quarterback as a pass rusher.

His wiry frame needs to fill out more, and his hands need to become more violent, but there’s no denying how disruptive he was last season. If he can take the next step as a consistently dominant player as both a pass rusher and run defender, Payton could be one of the first edge rushers off the board next April.

Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss

A frustrating summer evaluation because of how he was utilized at Florida, Umanmielen’s tools (6-5, 254) flashed in spurts last season. He has 42 run stops over the last two seasons and finished with career highs in tackles for loss (11.5) and sacks (7), Florida dropped him far too often into coverage, limiting his effectiveness in marquee games (Missouri, Georgia, LSU). A transfer to Ole Miss should allow Umanmielen to get after the passer, early and often.

The bend and explosive first step he displays has been evident for a couple of seasons now. Finding consistency, and making an every down impact, will be his next development step as he enters potentially his final season in college.

His pass rush plan is very much predicated on winning with speed and athleticism, and there’s room to utilize his length more to create displacement at the point of attack. If the Rebels let him rush freely, we may see the best of Umanmielen’s game.

J.T. Tuimoloau, Ohio State

An up and down 2023 campaign has Tuimoloau a little lower for me then expected, but his frenetic, upfield pass rushing attack puts pressure on tackles to be perfect in timing their initial strike against him. He can explode off the football, quickly becoming hip to hip with an offensive tackle, but his hands don’t always hit the target and he often runs himself too far upfield and unable to consistently flatten his path to the QB.

Tuimoloau’s marquee game came in the second half against Penn State’s Olu Fashanu, who the Jets drafted in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft. If he can find that string of consistency as a pass rusher, he’s a player who can find himself in the first round conversation next fall.

Rugged and powerful

Kaimon Rucker, North Carolina

Size be damned, Rucker, who’s “undersized” at 6-1, has 33 1/2 inch arms, per Senior Bowl Jim Nagy, and he uses every bit of his length to control reps. His heavy hands and relentless motor are enough to reel you in, but his ability to play through the chest of offensive linemen, generating power in his low-to-the-ground frame, and knack for turning the corner makes him an unstoppable edge presence.

He returns as one of the best and most productive pass rushers in the country, and his 41 pressures in 2023 ranked seventh nationally per PFF. He’s a no nonsense pass rusher who can become a more consistent run defender, but understands how to win against various pass sets.

Ashton Gillotte, Louisville

A speed to power expert, Louisville’s Gillotte is all about running through your chest and causing havoc as a three- and five-technique. The power and pop in his hands shows up most in the interior, but he has some wiggle to him as a traditional hand-in-the-ground pass rusher, though he’s more rugged that flexible.

He posted a dominant stat line (14.5 TFLs and 11 sacks) with an endless motor. Though his skill set, in my opinion, probably best aligns with a defensive end in a 3-4 defensive scheme, Gillotte is a disruptive player both as a run defender and pass rusher. You appreciate his floor, as a reliable every down defender, but he’s not an overly dynamic athlete, which shows up as his initial pass rush is shut down.

Landon Jackson, Arkansas

The highs are extremely enticing with Arkansas’ Jackson, who had his breakout game against Alabama with 3.5 sacks. His 6-7, 282 pound frame gives him the body of an NBA power forward, and his play is reminiscent of it one, too. He’s upright and rigid, understandably so for his size, but he’s got an excellent cross chop pass rush move and is an active hand fighter as he attempts to turn the corner.

His hands upon initial contact have to get quicker and he’s got to play stronger at the point of attack, especially as a run defender. He showed some versatility to move in the interior on passing downs, but he’s at his best when he has a clear runway to the quarterback. Developing more effective counter moves and stacking/shedding as a run defender more consistently can put him in the top 50 discussion. He has all the tools and size to take that next step, but he waned down the stretch of last season as most of his production came in the first seven games.

Best of both worlds

Nic Scourton, Texas A&M

The most NFL ready pass rusher by far on this last is former Purdue standout Scourton, who transferred to Texas A&M this off-season. When you talk about a multi-faceted pass rush approach, a signature pass rush move (spin), and explosiveness in his lower body and hands. He’s not a springy athlete but he gets your tackle on his heels quickly. He’s also a fantastic run defender on top of being a lethal pass rusher.

The backside pursuit as a run defender sticks out most, along with rushing from multiple alignments. Though he will need to continue to replicate his production against SEC opponents, he immediately becomes on of the top players in the conference based on his talent and body of work alone. He led the Big Ten in sacks last season with 10, making his imprint felt in each and very major game Purdue played in 2023.

Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Virginia Tech

I was pleasantly surprised with how savvy Virginia Tech’s Powell-Ryland is as a pass rusher. He doesn’t have an imposing stature (6-3, 246) but as you watch his tape, offensive linemen’s head pop back, showcasing his knock back power in his hands. He’s physical at the point of attack and does a nice job forklifting pass rushers who expose their chest in pass protection.

Ryland is another high floor guy with some scheme versatility as he has experience as a standup and in-the-ground defensive end. The former Florida Gator needs to continue developing his pass rush counters (has a spin for now) and is an above average athlete, but highly disruptive and productive.

Jack Sawyer, Ohio State

There’s only one way Ohio State’s Sawyer is planning to go when he attempts to get after the quarterback — right into the chest of offensive linemen. There’s no finesse or outside shoulder speed rush he employs. He wants to get hands on you, and fast, driving you back against your will and into your quarterback.

His powerful hands, specifically in the run game, allows him to stonewall blockers, extend and make the play at the line of scrimmage. Though he’s not an overly dynamic athlete and has some stiffness in turning the corner, Sawyer is another play who presents a high floor, hand-in-the-ground presence but doesn’t offer the high end upside as other players in this class.

Ball of clay

Mykel Williams, Georgia

If you’re betting on any player to make a massive leap from where they were last year to this season, Georgia’s Williams should probably be at the top of the list. Explosive, rangy, along with violent, Williams is a loose athlete who is the first person to the football, using his extraordinary length to long arm pass rush offensive linemen, and slippery enough to win on an inside track as a run defender and pass rusher.

Right now, Williams is far from polished as a pass rusher, but the 19-year-old has the size (6-5, 265) and steady production (6.5 TFLs, 4.5 sacks in each of past two seasons) to build off of. He’s more athlete than edge rusher right now, but after building momentum with a sack each against Tennessee and Florida State down the stretch of the season is an encouraging sign of his development.

Cameron Robertson, SMU

The SMU defense was incredibly deep, and while the headliner on that defensive line was Elijah Roberts, another player kept catching my eye. SMU’s Robertson is lean but has length, and has desirable twitchy traits that show up when he changes direction or flies down the line of scrimmage.

The production is minimal (28 games played between North Texas and SMU, 8.5 TFLs and 5 sacks) but he flashed a number of times and has the archetype worth keeping a close eye on.

Mike Green, Marshall

Marshall’s Green is my favorite non-Power 5 pass rusher and has jaw dropping bend around the corner. After starting his career at Virginia and being out of football altogether in 2022, Green landed with the Thundering Herd and quickly went from buried on the depth chart to consistently being a dynamic rotational player. Along side Elijah Alston, who’s now at Miami, Green has excellent length, and is a true finesse pass rusher who is using his athletic gifts to win against a lower tier of tackles as opposed to the Power 5.

Still, though, his skill set is one that should translate, regardless of level. You can’t teach the ankle flexion and explosiveness he plays with around the edge. A jump in his production could really put him on a national radar, assuming he becomes a full-time starter. He’s one to watch as a borderline Top 50 player for me leaving the summer.

LB/EDGE hybrids

Abdul Carter, Penn State

A big fan of mine since his freshman season with Penn State, Carter moves at a different speed than his teammates, and frankly, everyone on the field. He’s disruptive, explosive, playing with relentless energy and effort. A first-team All-Big Ten selection at linebacker last year, Carter is making a transition to the edge, a position he played extensively in practice, learning from players like Chop Robinson, Adisa Isaac, and others. He’s also the only player on the list that I’ve seen multiple times in person (vs. Auburn 2022, vs. Illinois 2023, vs. Michigan 2023) and I’ve come away with the thought that he might be as close to Micah Parsons as you can get.

He finished with two tackles (one for loss) in his first live game reps at his new position during the Penn State spring game. He needs to become a better finisher in the open field, and prove that he can handle shedding blocks at the point of attack as an EDGE (more beat players to spots in the past), but his 6-3, 255 pound frame and loose athleticism are hard to ignore. He’s a big projection as my top EDGE in this class, but he’s got the chance to be the best player in the Nittany Lions’ program since Parsons.

Collin Oliver, Oklahoma State

After bursting on the scene as a freshman with 11 sacks, Oklahoma State’s Oliver, who plays as a linebacker and edge rusher for their defense (most defenses call this player a JACK) jumps off the screen when you watch the Cowboys’ defense. Oozing athleticism, ankle flexion and burst to turn the corner as a pass rusher, Oliver triggers quickly from wherever he lines up, showing playmaking ability as a thumper working downhill and the ability to work the corner, hitting ghost pass rush moves along the way.

Estimated between 230 and 235 pounds, he’s a bit small compared to some of the other players labeled as edge rushers in this class. Though he’s disruptive, he needs to use his hands more efficiently when engaging offensive linemen. His lack of length shows up against bigger offensive linemen, so developing his hand utilization would help him work counter pass rush moves quicker.

Top 20 2025 EDGE rusher ranking

1. Abdul Carter, PSU

2. James Pearce Jr., Tennessee

3. Nico Scourton, Texas A&M

4. Kaimon Rucker, North Carolina

5. Patrick Payton, Florida State

6. Mykel Williams, Georgia

7. Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss

8. Mike Green, Marshall

9. J.T. Tuimoloau, Ohio State

10. Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Virginia Tech

11. Ashton Gillotte, Louisville

12. Collin Oliver, Oklahoma State

13. Landon Jackson, Arkansas

14. Trey Moore, Texas

15. Jack Sawyer, Ohio State

16. Elijah Roberts, SMU

17. Josaiah Stewart, Michigan

18. Aaron Lewis, Rutgers

19. BJ Green, Colorado

20. Dani Dennis-Sutton, PSU