College Football’s top Returning Edge‌ Defenders: Fresh Faces Dominate the 2025 Season

The 2024⁤ college football​ season saw the rise of several dominant edge defenders, and as ​we look⁤ ahead to 2025, the position ‍is loaded‌ with⁤ returning talent.Leading‌ the pack are two true sophomores who have already established themselves as elite forces. Here’s a look⁣ at‌ the​ top returning edge ‌⁣defenders who⁢ are poised to make a notable impact⁢ this upcoming ⁤season.

True ‌Sophomores lead the Charge

The college​ football landscape is witnessing a youth movement ⁢at ‌the​ edge defender ⁤position. Two⁤ true sophomores, Texas’ Colin ⁤Simmons and south Carolina’s Dylan Stewart, top the list after outstanding freshman seasons.their early success signals a shining⁤ future ​and sets the stage⁣ for⁣ compelling matchups⁣ in ⁤the seasons⁤ to come.

Top 10 ‍Returning ⁣edge Defenders ⁤in‌ ⁢College Football

1. Colin ⁣Simmons, Texas

Colin Simmons arrived at⁣ Texas with high expectations as⁣ a top-15 overall ‌recruit, and ‌he has ​not‍‌ disappointed. The Texas native quickly became ⁣one⁤ of ⁢the most impactful‌ edge defenders ​in the​ nation, ‌demonstrating an elite combination ‌of bend and advanced pass-rushing moves ​reminiscent of ⁣Von Miller. He was awarded the shaun ⁤Alexander Freshman of the year Award after posting‍ an 18.6% ‍pressure rate.

2. Dylan Stewart, South Carolina

Dylan​ Stewart is being touted as the most athletic edge defender for South Carolina since Jadeveon Clowney.⁤‌ As a true freshman, the former five-star‍ recruit earned a 91.4 pass-rush grade, tying ⁣for ⁤sixth among all edge rushers.Stewart’s remarkable physical​ gifts and pass-rushing prowess give​ him ‍the⁣ potential⁤ to be a No. 1 ​overall NFL draft ​pick.

3.T.J. Parker,Clemson

T.J. Parker is projected to be the top edge ⁢rusher in ‍the 2026⁤ NFL Draft. In 2024, his 12 sacks led all returning Power Four edge ⁢‍rushers,​ and‍ he⁤ stood out as ⁢one of the⁣ few to achieve grades above⁢ 80.0 as both a pass-rusher ​and run defender.‌ At 6-foot-3 and​ 265 pounds, Parker’s devastating ‌bull ⁤rush makes him a formidable⁤ opponent, positioning him ⁤as a potential top-10 NFL ⁤pick.

4.⁢ Rueben Bain⁢ jr., Miami (FL)

Despite ⁤a calf injury ‌impacting his sophomore year, Rueben Bain‌ ⁢Jr. remains a‍ top-five edge ⁣defender.⁣As 2023, Bain has recorded 73 pressures, placing him third among returning​ Power Four edge defenders..

Q&A: Top Returning Edge defenders

Q: Who is ‍Colin Simmons?

A: Colin Simmons is a true sophomore edge defender for the Texas Longhorns. He was a highly-touted recruit and quickly made a ⁤significant impact in his freshman year, earning the Shaun alexander Freshman of the Year Award.

Q: What makes Dylan Stewart so special?

A: Dylan Stewart, a freshman at South Carolina, is praised for his athleticism, drawing comparisons to Jadeveon Clowney. He earned a 91.4 pass-rush grade in his freshman year and is considered ‍a potential top NFL draft pick.

Q: What is T.J. Parker’s potential?

A: T.J. Parker, from Clemson, is projected to be the top edge rusher in the 2026⁢ NFL Draft. He led returning⁣ Power Four edge rushers with 12 sacks in 2024 and‌ excels as ⁣both a pass-rusher and run defender.

Q: What happened to Rueben Bain Jr.?

A: Rueben Bain Jr., despite a calf injury, remains a top-five edge defender‌ for Miami (FL).⁣ In 2023,he recorded 73 pressures,ranking ⁢third⁣ among returning Power ⁣Four edge defenders.

Q: What is an “edge defender” and why are they important?

A: An edge defender is a defensive player, typically a defensive end or outside⁤ linebacker, whose primary role is to rush the passer⁢ and stop the run from⁢ the outside. They are​ important because they disrupt‌ the opposing offense, create pressure on the quarterback, and impact the running game.

The future of college football’s defensive front is bright, with these young stars leading the way.Keep an eye on these edge defenders – their performances will shape the 2025 season!