Tag: edge rusher

Is T.J. Watt’s dominant start foreshadowing another D.P.O.Y award?

T.J. Watt’s 2024 campaign showcases dominance, aiming for his second D.P.O.Y. award with elite performances in his 8 games played.

T.J. Watt continues to prove week in and week out that he is a force to be reckoned with for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Whether he is sacking the quarterback, forcing a fumble, or stuffing the run, one thing remains certain—Watt is inevitable.

Watt’s 2024 resume speaks for itself. Through 8 games played, his four forced fumbles are tied for first, his ten tackles for loss are tied for second, his nine QB hits are tied for fifth, and his six and a half sacks are tied for ninth.

The former 2021 D.P.O.Y. winner is looking to build on this fantastic statistical output and put together an undeniable campaign to win the illustrious award for a second time.

DraftKings currently has Watt as the odds-on favorite to win the award through nine weeks, ahead of elite defenders such as Kansas City Chiefs’ DT Chris Jones, New York Giants’ DT Dexter Lawrence, Houston Texans’ EDGE Will Anderson Jr., and Detroit Lions Safety Kerby Joseph.

Can Watt achieve his second D.P.O.Y. award in 2024, or will his efforts result in him being snubbed once again?

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Wisconsin football class of 2025 edge commit earns four-star ranking

Wisconsin football class of 2025 edge commit earns four-star ranking

Wisconsin football class of 2025 edge commit Nicolas Clayton earned a four-star designation on 247Sports’ composite ranking on Thursday.

At the time of his commitment in June, the outlet considered the defensive prospect a three-star recruit out of high school. His impressive output at F. W. Buchholz High School in Gainesville, Florida, appears to have vaulted his recruiting ranking.

By Oct. 3, Clayton announced he had recorded 48 total tackles, 4 TFLs, 9 PBUs, 10 hurries, 5 sacks and 1 forced fumble as a senior. Those numbers will surely rise as his season progresses and could further impact his status as a recruit.

247Sports now considers Clayton the No. 424 overall prospect, No. 31 edge and No. 58 recruit from the state of Florida in the class of 2025. Clayton also took a visit to UW for its contest against the No. 3 Penn State Nittany Lions on Oct. 26.

Rivals currently ranks UW’s class of 2025 No. 16 in the nation with 23 total commitments. Clayton and three-star Torin Pettaway are the sole defensive ends to committed to Luke Fickell’s program in the class.

Saints pick a pass rusher in final preseason 2025 mock draft

The New Orleans Saints could be looking for defensive line help again next season. Saints draft Mykel Williams in B/R 2025 mock draft

The New Orleans Saints open their season against the Carolina Panthers in just a matter of days. Before we completely focus on the upcoming year, let’s take one last look at a 2025 mock draft.

Bleacher Report’s scouting department projected the Saints will end with the 10th overall pick in next year’s draft and draft Georgia’s Mykel Williams, one of the most exciting pass rushers in this draft class.

The position is completely feasible. Chase Young will likely leave after the season. Carl Granderson is the team’s lead pass rusher. Instead of looking for Cameron Jordan’s running mate, they would be looking for his replacement. A major turn of events

There are two points in their explanation that are off-putting specifically in regards to selecting Williams.

“Williams is more of a traits prospect who has impressive strength at the point of attack to collapse the pocket as a pass-rusher than he is a finished product. But he’d be a good addition for the future of New Orleans’ defense,” wrote B/R’s Matt Holder.

The Saints don’t need that type of player in the top-10. New Orleans has had their struggles defending the run, but that area of the draft is meant for pass rushers. That’s what the Saints would need draft an impact rusher in this portion.

Been there, done that. If Williams can return from injury to have a productive season rushing the passer then this conversation changes. For now, the description provided doesn’t feel like the best pick for the Saints with the tenth overall selection.

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Dennis Allen on the decision to move Cameron Jordan inside

Cameron Jordan will play on the inside more this season. Dennis Allen says “It takes a special person to be able to handle that”

Cameron Jordan will play on the interior more than he ever has in a New Orleans Saints uniform. Jordan already shared that he is up for the challenge though he wouldn’t have chosen this route. Telling your future Hall of Fame defensive end you need him to alter his role can’t be an easy conversation or decision to make.

Dennis Allen explained the decision to Kay Adams. The Saints picked up Chase Young in free agency, and Carl Granderson is firmly stepping into the role as the Saints’ top pass rusher. You see more players fighting for reps at defensive end than in recent years. Allen sees that as a catalyst for the change.

“At the end of the day, there’s only so many snaps on defense,” Allen said. “There’s only so many spots he can play. How do we get the best 11 guys on the field?”

Jordan will still play on the edge, but Granderson and Young will likely be your two edge players on obvious passing situations and two-minute drills. In these situations, along with other plays throughout the game, you’ll see Jordan on the inside.

Allen credits Jordan for his response to the challenge. Jordan has played one position pretty much his entire career. He’s rushed off the defense’s left side, so leaving that for something different can be an odd. Allen commended him, saying, “It takes a special person to be able to handle that.”

If all goes as planned this could extend his career by keeping Jordan in the lineup as an effective defender. But Allen and the Saints are grateful for what he’s given them already through more than a decade: “Cam’s been one of the most unselfish players in our league for a long, long time.”

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2027 in-state EDGE Jabarrius Garror commits to Alabama over Auburn, others

2027 edge rusher Jabarrius Garror committed to Alabama on Wednesday. He chose the Crimson Tide over Auburn and LSU.

In two days, the Alabama Crimson Tide have landed commitments from two 2027 prospects. On Tuesday, Ba’Roc Willis of Moody High School (AL) committed to the Crimson Tide. On Wednesday, Jabarrius Garror of Vigor High School (AL) committed to the Crimson Tide.

Garror held over 20 offers. Several SEC schools that extended Garror an offer were the Auburn Tigers, Arkansas Razorbacks, Florida Gators, LSU Tigers, and Tennessee Volunteers.

The native of Mobile, Alabama plays for Vigor High School. In the past, Alabama had two players that came from Vigor — B.J. Scott and Jalston Fowler.

Garror has three years of high school remaining. He has more than enough time to continue to grow and develop as a part of the Wolves defense. As a freshman, Garror recorded 12 tackles, four tackles for loss, and three sacks in three games.

Alabama’s ’27 recruiting class now consists of two prospects. Garror is joined by fellow edge rusher Ba’Roc Willis. Willis is another in-state edge rusher from Moody High School in Moody, Alabama. He committed to the Crimson Tide on Tuesday.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the latest regarding the Alabama football program and its efforts on the recruiting trail.

2027 EDGE Ba’Roc Willis commits to Alabama over Auburn, others

2027 edge rusher Ba’Roc Willis announced his commitment to Alabama on Tuesday. The Alabama native chose the Crimson Tide over Auburn, LSU, and Tennessee.

The Alabama Crimson Tide coaching staff was able to secure its first commitment from a 2027 recruit on Monday morning. ’27 edge rusher Ba’Roc Willis committed to the Crimson Tide over the Auburn Tigers, LSU Tigers, and Tennessee Volunteers.

Willis has been to Tuscaloosa several times. He was most recently in town for the end of summer cookout on Sunday. Willis and many other recruits were on campus for the final time before football season kicks off on August 31.

Unlike most of the recruits that were on campus, Willis was one of the few that was a ’27 recruit. The product of Moody High School (AL) has already burst onto the scene at the high school level. During his freshman season, Willis tallied 79 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, and nine sacks.

Willis will only continue to improve as his high school career unfolds. The Alabama native is currently listed at 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds. He already has the prototypical size to play outside linebacker at the college level. The Alabama coaching staff is pleased with Willis’ performance on the field up to this point. The fact that they gave Willis the green light to commit should speak volumes to the caliber player that Willis is at this stage in his football career.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the latest regarding the Alabama football program and its efforts on the recruiting trail.

What is the Commanders’ most glaring hole ahead of the season?

What position is the most questionable for the Commanders ahead of the season?

The Washington Commanders are set to open training camp this week. The rookies reported late last week, but the entire team is due in Ashburn on Tuesday.

The rosters of all 32 NFL teams are primarily set. Over the next several weeks, teams will trim their rosters from 90 players to 53. Training camp and the preseason will help determine the back end of rosters across the league. While there are some veteran free agents still out there who could step into starting roles, finding impact players at this stage of the year is difficult.

So, as training camp kicks off this week, what is Washington’s biggest remaining hole?

It’s easy to say offensive tackle — specifically left tackle. But the Commanders feel good about the trio vying for the role: Veterans Cornelius Lucas and Trent Scott and rookie Brandon Coleman.

What about cornerback? There are some serious questions there, too. However, the addition of new head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. should help some of the Commanders’ talented young defensive backs.

Jared Dubin of CBS Sports recently looked at every team’s biggest roster hole ahead of the season, and he believes it is edge rusher for the Commanders.

And in Washington, Dorance Armstrong was a strong rotation edge rusher for the Cowboys and Dan Quinn over the last few years, but he’s now the No. 1 guy. That’s less than ideal. The Commanders are counting on guys like Clelin Ferrell, Efe Obada and Dante Fowler Jr. to supplement him.

This is fair. Armstrong, Ferrell, Obada and Fowler are all solid and reliable veteran players, but none of them is a dominant pass rusher at this juncture of their career. There is hope that Armstrong, with an increased role in 2024, will develop into a double-digit pass rusher.

Things are much different for the Commanders in 2024 than they were one year ago. Washington entered 2023 with Chase Young and Montez Sweat. The Commanders traded both and allowed their backups, Casey Toohill and James Smith-Williams, to depart in free agency.

Wisconsin football offers one of nation’s best class of 2026 edge rushers

Wisconsin football offers one of nation’s best class of 2026 edge rushers

Wisconsin football extended an offer to four-star class of 2026 EDGE McHale Blade on Monday.

Both 247Sports’ composite ranking and On3’s industry ranking have Blade as a four-star recruit. The Country Club Hills, Illinois native already holds offers from 19 schools including Michigan, USC, Miami (Florida), Florida, Notre Dame, Texas A&M, Missouri, Nebraska, Cincinnati and Tennessee.

247Sports has Blade as the No. 23 defensive lineman in the class of 2026, No. 6 recruit from Illinois and No. 192 overall player in the class. On3, on the other hand, has Blade as Illinois’ No. 1 recruit for 2026.

He currently stands at 6’4,” 230 pounds, representing Hillcrest High School in Illinois.

His first gridiron offer arrived from Florida in December 2023. Alongside Michigan, USC, Missouri and Texas A&M, Wisconsin became the latest program to offer Blade in May 2024.

247sports has yet to release a crystal ball prediction, but On3’s recruiting prediction machine has in-state Illinois as Blade’s most likely landing spot.

Whether it be through recruiting cycles or the transfer portal, Wisconsin is certainly looking to bolster its defensive front.

Over the past week, UW’s recent DL transfer targets have committed elsewhere. Those include C.J. West to Indiana, Khurtiss Perry to Virginia Tech, Jay’Viar Suggs to LSU and Brandon Lane to Louisville.

Wisconsin has offered several 2026 recruits over the past few weeks, including Brayden Trimble, Kaleb Woods, Jarin Mock, Nick Reddish Brayden Robinson, Amari Sabb, and Will Conroy.

Wisconsin offers class of 2026 edge rusher from North Carolina

Wisconsin offers class of 2026 edge rusher from North Carolina

The Wisconsin Badgers football team offered Elijah Littlejohn, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound class of 2026 edge rusher from Charlotte, North Carolina on Tuesday. The sophomore at West Charlotte High School has started to rack up offers even though he’s still two years away from potentially making the leap to the collegiate level.

Littlejohn has  picked up 11 Division 1 offers to this point, including from Big Ten schools Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin. North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas A&M have also extended scholarships.

His overall size at his age is rather impressive and if he continues to grow and progress as an athlete, there’s no doubt that he’ll have the ability to attend pretty much any school in the country.

Wisconsin had a disappointing 2023 campaign under head coach Luke Fickell. After its conclusion, there has been an emphasis on adding size to the defense moving forward. So far in the class of 2026, Wisconsin has yet to receive any commitments while offering 16 edge rushers through April.

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Broncos select pass rusher Jonah Elliss in 3rd round of NFL draft

Edge rusher Jonah Elliss joins a promising group of Broncos pass rushers.

The Denver Broncos used the 76th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft to select edge rusher Jonah Elliss from the University of Utah on Friday night.

Elliss (6-3, 232 pounds) was a three-year player for the Utes, where he played 30 games. Elliss finished his collegiate career with 16.0 sacks, 23 tackles for losses and three forced fumbles.

In 2023, Elliss was a consensus All-American, when he had his best season. In the Pac-12’s final year, Elliss contributed with 12 sacks, 16 tackles for losses, 37 total tackles (23 solo, 14 assisted), three defensed passes and one forced fumble.

Elliss was rated the 58th-best prospect on Draft Wire’s big board of top 200 players ranked by Jeff Risdon.

Football runs in Elliss’ family. His brother Kaden played at Idaho and is now a member of the Atlanta Falcons. His other brothers Christian and Noah signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, with Christian also appearing in games with the New England Patriots.

Elliss’ father, Luther, played for the Detroit Lions from 1995-2003 and in Denver in 2004. Luther later returned to the Broncos as team chaplain for two years, including the team’s Super Bowl-winning season in 2015.

The pick was announced by Broncos legend and former tight end Tony Scheffler. Next pick: Round 4, 121st overall.

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