Topic overview
In brief
- Todd McShay ranked his top six edge rushers in college football, with the top three from the SEC.
- Dylan Stewart from South Carolina was ranked first, followed by Yhonzae Pierre from Alabama.
- The SEC continues to be recognized for its exceptional talent in pass rushers despite the Big Ten's perceived dominance.
Summary
In 2026, the SEC continues to be recognized for its exceptional talent in college football, particularly in the area of pass rushers. NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay recently shared his top six edge rushing prospects on social media, with the top three all hailing from the SEC. Dylan Stewart from South Carolina was ranked first, followed by Yhonzae Pierre from Alabama. This ranking has sparked some debate among fans and analysts, particularly regarding the positioning of Stewart and another player, Simmons from Texas, who has had a more productive college career.
Dylan Stewart, a 6-foot-5, 250-pound player, has been on the NFL's radar since being a Five-Star Plus+ recruit in 2024. Despite his potential, he has recorded only 11 combined sacks in his first two seasons with the Gamecocks. In contrast, Simmons, who stands at 6-foot-3 and weighs 246 pounds, has established himself as a top pass rusher with 21 combined sacks and 29.5 tackles for loss over the past two years at Texas. This discrepancy in production has led to discussions about whether Stewart should be ranked above Simmons.