Stoppers on the Defensive Line and on the “EDGE” in 2026 Draft

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Lebanon, TN – We displayed Miami EDGE Rueben Bain and Auburn EDGE Keldric Faulk as two likely Defensive players to go in the Fires Round on the 2026 Draft.  There seems to be more talent available and desired this year holding down the outside and applying pressure from defensive end this year.  We missed our mark with another top Linemen along the defensive front in Florida Gator Caleb Banks. A foot injury sidelined him in the Florida finale against Florida State.

CFP games offered some of the best defenders for the 2026 draft

Having attended three CFP games this season, The Orange Bowl, Peach Bowl and Championship Game at the Hard Rock in Miami brought top defenders.  Texas Tech, Oregon, Miami and Indiana featured some of the best on the field in 2025. You’ll see some of them here doing battle up front at games we saw.  In our next and final pre-draft presentation, we also captured great talent at Linebacker and in the secondary.

There seems to be lot of interest from the pros in this year’s defenses to apply more pressure than ever against all the pass-oriented offenses.  Look for DEs or EDGE Rushers to be in demand throughout the 2026 Draft.

Players among the cutting EDGE and filling the gaps in the middle

Miale EDGE Akheem Mesidor (3) allied two sacks against Indiana in teh CFP championship. the All-American and All-ACC first teamer recorded 17 TFL, 12.5 sacks and forced four fumbles in 2025.
Miami EDGE Akheem Mesidor (3) making the stop here tallied two sacks against Indiana in the CFP championship. The All-American and All-ACC first teamer recorded 17 TFL’s, 12.5 sacks and forced four fumbles in 2025.
Texas Tech Defensive Tackle Lee Hunter (2) pursues Oregon QB DAnte Moore in The Chick-Fil-A Orange Bowl. Tech's D performed well despite the 23-0 loss in New Year's Day. Hunter started at UCF for two years prior to playing for Tech where he earned All-American status.
Texas Tech Defensive Tackle Lee Hunter (2) pursues Oregon QB Dante Moore in The Chick-Fil-A Orange Bowl. Tech’s D performed well despite the 23-0 loss in New Year’s Day. Hunter started at UCF for two years prior to playing for Tech where he earned All-American status.
As a sophomore in 2023, Michigan DE Derrick Moore (8) takes on PSU OT Caeden Wallace, now with the New England Patriots. In 2025, Moore became team cvaptaing for the Wolverines. He had 10.5 TFLs, 10 sacks, became team Defensive MVP and All Big-ten. Established great rep as a "bull rusher." As seen here, scouts say he needs to improve his game against the run.
As a sophomore in 2023, Michigan DE Derrick Moore (8) takes on PSU OT Caeden Wallace, now with the New England Patriots. In 2025, Moore became team captain for the Wolverines. He had 10.5 TFLs, 10 sacks, became team Defensive MVP and All Big-Ten. Established great rep as a “bull rusher.” As seen here, scouts say he needs to improve his game against the run.
Florida Gator DE Tyreak Sapp (94) rates highly in Player Football Focus (PFF) analytics. REp as an impact player in crucial situations against good cpmepteion. He's ranked very strong agaisnthe reun and ranked as teh eigth best EDGE among players in this year's draft. Great experience and improvement at U of F pegs him as NFL-ready.
Florida Gator DE Tyreak Sapp (94) rates highly in Player Football Focus (PFF) analytics. Has rep as an impact player in crucial situations against good competition. He’s ranked very strong against run and ranked as the eighth best EDGE among players in this year’s draft. Great experience and improvement at U of F pegs him as NFL-ready.

Mid to late round picks on the Defensive Line

Texas Tech DE Romello Height (9) pursues Oregon QB DAnte Moore in Orange Bolw action. Following seasons at Auburn, USC and Georgia Tech, he played opposite All-American David Bailey (no picture) in his sixth and only season at TT. In 50 games at four schools, he totaled 69 pressures. Scouts say his greatest value comes on third down situations.
Texas Tech DE Romello Height (9) pursues Oregon QB Dante Moore in Orange Bowl action. Following seasons at Auburn, USC and Georgia Tech, he played opposite All-American David Bailey (no picture) in his sixth and only season at TT. In 50 games at four schools, he totaled 69 pressures. Pro scouts say his greatest value will come in third down situations.
Penn State EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton (33) performed consistently his last two season. Made 42 tackles, 8.5 sacks and 12-13 tackles for loss in each. Led the Big Ten in 2025 in forced fumbles. His physical talents interest scouts who deem him as a work-in-progress specimen who can improve with better strength conditioning and technique coaching at the next level.
Penn State EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton (33) performed consistently his last two season. Made 42 tackles, 8.5 sacks and 12-13 tackles for loss in each. Led the Big Ten in 2025 in forced fumbles. His physical talents interest scouts who deem him as a work-in-progress specimen who can improve with better strength conditioning and technique coaching at the next level.
Florida State DT Darrell Jackson (74) lines up against Boston College in 2024. Prior to his two seasons at FSU, he played at Maryland and Miami. Strength comes against the run. In 2025, this team captain earned defensive MVP with the Seminoles. He finished with 45 tackles, three TFLs and one sack. Late round pick among the overall defensive line depth in this year's draft.
Florida State DT Darrell Jackson (6) lines up against Boston College in 2024. Prior to his two seasons at FSU, he played at Maryland and Miami. Strength comes against the run. In 2025, this team captain earned defensive MVP with the Seminoles. He finished with 45 tackles, three TFLs and one sack. Late round pick among the overall defensive line depth in this year’s draft.

Long shot despite great EDGE credentials

Undersized at 6'1" 250 lbs. for the NFL, Indiana DE Mikail Kamara competes with dominant leverage. Following HC Curt Cignetti from James Madison to IU, he posted 10 sacks and 15 TFLs to earn First Team Big Ten DE in 2025. On top of that, he earned Defensive MVP in CFP championship versus Miami. Seen as a reliable player for future pass rush situations at the next level.
Undersized at 6’1″ 250 lbs. for the NFL, Indiana DE Mikail Kamara (6) competes with dominant leverage. Following HC Curt Cignetti from James Madison to IU, he posted 10 sacks and 15 TFLs to earn First Team Big Ten DE in 2025. On top of that, he earned Defensive MVP in CFP championship versus Miami. Seen as a reliable player for future pass rush situations at the next level.

Read our great history of seeing great college players who excelled in the Pros!

Click on the title about this life-long adventure: Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun, and the Ugly on Amazon.com. Among 740 college games attended to date now, we’ve seen all 136 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams play in person at least once. This tells our story! Among them, you’ll pry into collegiate lore regarding the likes of Willie Gault, Dan Marino, Randy Moss, Eli Manning, Ezekial Elliot, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson and many more.

Read the reviews on the book page and get your copy today. If you’re trying to follow NILs and transfer portals, read what we predicted in 2023 and more. You’ll see we know what we’re talking about. In addition, we offered solutions to issues occurring that we anticipated when we wrote this book. Get it, enjoy it, and read about the many great memories captured. Maybe these will bring back some of the same memories you encountered when we did!

Edited and written by Stephen J. Koreivo, member of Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and Author of “Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly.”

Oregon Safety Dillon Thieneman (31) stands out as one of the first round defensive backs we saw in action entering this year's draft. Come back for that review coming up shortly.
Oregon Safety Dillon Thieneman (31) stands out as one of the first round defensive backs we saw in action entering this year’s draft. Come back for that review coming up shortly.

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