Top 25 EDGE rankings entering Week 3 of college football

The top edge defenders in college football have gotten off to some varied starts, setting up an interesting On3 Top 25 EDGE ranking. The top names, however, are not a big surprise ahead of Week 3.

And much like the quarterback position this season, the Pac-12 seems to have cornered the market. The Top 25 edge defenders conference break down is as such: Eight from the Pac-12, five from the SEC, four each from the ACC and Group of 5, three from the Big 10 and one from the Big 12.

Check out the full On3 Top 25 EDGE rankings below.

1. Jared Verse, Florida State

Verse surprised many when he chose to return to school for another year, but it’s been a boon for Florida State. He’s picked up right where he left off as one of the best edge defenders in the sport.

His counting stats are sparse through two games, but Verse has been highly effectively. He’s got six pressures and a half sack, and played a big role in a season-opening thumping of LSU.

2. Laiatu Latu, UCLA

One half of a fearsome pass rush tandem, Latu has been highly effective this year. And the UCLA defense has accordingly looked strong up front.

In two games, Latu has four sacks and been impactful snap-to-snap as a pass rusher and run defender. He’s also forced a fumble.

3. Kaimon Rucker, North Carolina

One of the most effective edge rushers in the country on a snap-to-snap basis to start the season, Rucker flew somewhat under the radar in the offseason. Not anymore.

North Carolina’s edge already has 16 pressures in two games. He’s still searching for his first sack.

4. Sam Burton, Marshall

Burton is a sixth-year edge rusher and playing like it. He’s also one of two Marshall edge defenders to make this list.

Burton has been highly productive through two contests. He’s tallied 3.5 sacks and nine total tackles.

5. Nelson Ceaser, Houston

Houston took a tough rivalry loss over the weekend but Ceaser has continued to impress. Saturday was no exception.

Through two contests he’s made eight stops and generated a trio of sacks on nine pressures. He’ll be a big key to the Cougars defense in Big 12 play.

6. Grayson Murphy, UCLA

Playing opposite Latu, Murphy has been a little quieter. But his performance in Week 2 was a promising uptick.

After one sack in the opener, he recorded 1.5 and five total tackles in Week 2. He and Latu have the potential to become a dominant edge rushing duo.

7. Davin Vann, NC State

Vann himself wasn’t enough to overcome the bruising Notre Dame rushing attack, but he’s been effective nonetheless. He’ll keep anchoring the Wolfpack defensive front through ACC play.

Vann already has three sacks and a forced fumble through two games in 2023. He had just 8.5 career sacks entering the season.

8. James Pearce, Tennessee

A pure pass rush specialist, Pearce excels at hunting down quarterbacks and making backfield splash plays. And he’s already shining as a sophomore.

In limited action, Pearce ripped off two sacks in 2022. He’s already got three in 2023 and should be a force coming off the edge for the Volunteers all season.

9. Dallas Turner, Alabama

It’s been a bit of a disappointing start for Turner in 2023, as the Alabama edge was expected to take a big step forward in a bigger role. He was mostly a non-factor in a Week 2 loss.

Turner has yet to record a sack in 2023 after tallying 12.5 his first two seasons. He’ll have a chance to turn things on against South Florida this weekend.

10. Owen Porter, Marshall

Two Marshall edge defenders have cracked the Top 10, with experience and production carrying the duo. The fifth-year edge is on a similar pace to his counterpart.

Porter has 4.5 tackles for loss and just one sack, but has been a constant presence in opposing backfields. He’s also forced a fumble.

EDGEs 11 through 25

11. Chris Braswell, Alabama
12. Kydran Jenkins, Purdue
13. Terrance Taylor, Toledo
14. Solomon Byrd, USC
15. David Bailey, Stanford
16. Bralen Trice, Washington
17. Mykel Williams, Georgia
18. Chop Robinson, Penn State
19. J.T. Tuimoloau, Ohio State
20. Brandon Dorlus, Oregon
21. Tyler Baron, Tennessee
22. Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Virginia Tech
23. B.J. Green II, Arizona State
24. Ron Stone Jr., Washington State
25. Mazin Richards, North Texas

It’s worth noting how a number of teams have not one, but two edge rushers in the Top 25: Alabama, UCLA and Marshall. And a few others, such as Penn State and USC could soon have a second rusher climb into the Top 25. And UCLA might even be poised to add a third into the Top 25.