College football’s 20 best defensive ends of 2026

They are the enforcers off the edge.

Packed with a tremendous amount of lower body strength, flexible hips and a non-stop motor, edge rushers set the tone up front. In order to be successful defenders they have to disrupt the timing of offenses, tip passes at the line of scrimmage and wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks.

Intimidation comes with the territory. These 20 edge rushers made their presence felt from the weak and strong-side last season. Now they’re looking to pick up where they left off. Quarterbacks beware, because they’ll soon be coming to a backfield near you.

20. Isaac Terrell, Iowa State: Despite only starting six games last season, he still led Washington State in tackles for loss and sacks. Terrell displayed athleticism off the line, and maneuvered past blockers with ease. He posted five tackles, including four for loss, two sacks and forced a fumble at Ole Miss. Terrell tallied a season-high, six tackles, including four solo and put the quarterback to the turf against Oregon State. The former three-star prospect also made the quarterback eat grass against San Diego State, and Washington. Terrell brings instant credibility to Iowa State’s defensive line, considering the mass exodus of Matt Campbell’s players to Penn State, and the retirement of Coordinator Jon Heacock.

19. Wendell Gregory, Kansas State: The Georgia native started four games in his lone season with Oklahoma State last year, and made a tremendous impact. After all, Gregory led the Cowboys in tackles for loss and sacks. He also earned third-team, All-Big 12 honors, and was named the league’s Defensive Freshman of the Year. Wendell started out with a bang, and tallied three tackles for loss, and three sacks in the opener against Tennessee-Martin. The former four-star prospect also posted three tackles for loss at Arizona. Gregory generated two stops, including one for loss, and put the quarterback to the turf at UCF. The 6-foot-3, 255-pounder brings a lot of versatility to Kansas State’s defensive line.

18. Mandell Desir, Florida State: The former three-star prospect made an immediate splash with the Seminoles as a true freshman last season. Although Desir only started two games, he led Florida State in tackles for loss, and sacks. He posted five stops, including one for loss and a sack at Clemson. Desir also made five tackles, including one for loss and a sack at NC State. The Miami native generated four tackles apiece against Alabama, Virginia and Florida. Desir had a tackle for loss, a sack, and forced a fumble against Virginia Tech. The 6-foot-4, 265-pounder also put the quarterback to the turf against Pittsburgh, Wake Forest and NC State. Desir finished strong with 17 tackles, and 3.5 sacks over the final four games.

17. Dylan LaBarbera, Nevada: Despite not having no stars behind his name out of high school, he’s arguably molding into the best edge rusher from the Group of Five. After all, LaBarbera led the Wolfpack with 87 stops, 17 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks last season. He even tied for sixth in the FBS in tackles for loss per game. The Californian’s breakout campaign resulted in him being named first-team, All-Mountain West. His 12 tackles at Fresno State were a season-high. LaBarbera tallied nine tackles, including four for loss and two sacks against San Diego State. Not to mention he had nine stops apiece, and put the quarterback to the turf against Western Kentucky, and Boise State. LaBarbera is a tackling machine.

16. Karter Menz, Minnesota: The North Dakota native is coming off a breakout campaign, and remains a major enforcer along the Golden Gophers’ defensive line. Menz ranked second on the team in tackles for loss, and sacks last season. He also took care of business in the classroom, and been an Academic All-Big Ten performer for the past two years. Menz posted five tackles, including two for loss, and a sack against Rutgers. His seven stops, including 2.5 for loss, and 2.5 sacks in the victory over Nebraska, were all season-highs. The former three-star prospect also made the quarterback eat grass against Iowa and Michigan State. Menz left a lasting impression with five tackles, a sack and a forced fumble in bowl win.

15. Donnie Smith, Troy: The former Juco had a breakout campaign in his first year with the Trojans last season. Smith established himself as a force to be reckoned with off the edge, and tied for 14th in the FBS in sacks per game. The Mississippi native was so dominant that he earned first-team, All-Sun Belt honors. Smith posted a season-high, six tackles, including one for loss, and a sack against South Alabama. He tallied four tackles, including one for loss, and a sack at Louisiana-Monroe. Smith generated a season-high, two sacks at Southern Miss. The 6-foot-4, 230-pounder also made the quarterback eat grass against James Madison, Jacksonville State, Old Dominion, Louisiana, Nichols and Troy.

14. Sidney Stewart, Maryland: The former three-star prospect started 11 games as a true freshman for the Terrapins last season, and made a tremendous impact. Stewart ranked first on the team in tackles for loss, and sacks. He even posted a sack in each of Maryland’s first four games. Stewart tallied three tackles, including one for loss, a sack and forced a fumble at UCLA. The 6-foot-2, 255-pounder posted four stops apiece, including one for loss and made the quarterback eat grass against Wisconsin and Michigan. Stewart also put the quarterback to the turf against Florida Atlantic, Northern Illinois and Towson. With a year of experience under his belt, expect Stewart to have an All-Big Ten campaign this fall.

13. Kenyatta Jackson, Ohio State: The former four-star prospect made a name for himself in the trenches last season. Jackson was a disruptive force off the edge, and ranked second on the Buckeyes in tackles for loss. He even tied for second on the team in sacks. Jackson posted four tackles, including three solo, 2.5 for loss and put the quarterback to the turf twice in the victory over Penn State. The Miami native also tallied four stops against UCLA. Jackson generated three tackles, including two for loss and a sack in the win at Michigan. The following week in the Big Ten Championship Game against Indiana, he had three stops, including one for loss and made Fernando Mendoza eat grass.

12. Damon Wilson, Miami: The Florida native took advantage of his only season at Missouri last year, and made his presence felt in the SEC. Wilson started all 13 contests, and tied for 19th in the FBS in sacks per game. He ranked third on the Tigers in tackles for loss. Not to mention Wilson capped off the year with second-team, All-SEC honors. Wilson put the quarterback to the turf twice against Central Arkansas. The former four-star prospect tallied three tackles, including two for loss and two sacks against Alabama. Wilson generated two stops, including one for loss, and made Diego Pavia eat grass at Vanderbilt. The 6-foot-4, 250-pounder also recorded a sack against Louisiana, Oklahoma and Arkansas.

11. Dylan Stewart, South Carolina: The former five-star prospect takes care of business on field, and in the classroom. Stewart is a two-time, Academic All-SEC performer. He made 11 starts in 2024, and earned Freshman All-SEC honors. Stewart started 11 games last season, led the team in tackles for loss, and ended his campaign with second-team, All-SEC honors. The Washington DC native posted a season-high, seven tackles, including one for loss, and a sack in the opener against Virginia Tech. Stewart made three solo stops, and a sack against South Carolina State. The 6-foot-5, 245-pounder also generated a sack against Kentucky, and Texas A&M. Stewart has 56 tackles, and 10.5 sacks over the last two years.

10. Teitum Tuioti, Oregon: Although he’s listed as an outside linebacker, Tuioti is a hybrid defender, who can wreak havoc from the edge. He even earned third-team, All-Big Ten honors as a defensive lineman last season. Tuioti started all 15 games, finished fourth on the Ducks in stops, and led the team in tackles for loss and sacks. The former four-star prospect tallied a season-high, nine tackles, and a sack in the victory at Iowa. Tuioti posted six stops apiece against Northwestern and Texas Tech. The Hawaii native made the quarterback eat grass in wins over Rutgers, Penn State, Minnesota and Oklahoma State. Tuioti has 156 tackles, including 27.5 for loss and 17 sacks over the past three seasons with Oregon.

9. Boubacar Traore, Notre Dame: After suffering a season-ending injury with the Fighting Irish in 2024, he bounced back with a stellar campaign last year. Traore started 11 games, and led Notre Dame in tackles for loss and sacks. Not to mention he tied for 21st in the FBS in sacks per game. Traore posted six tackles, including one for a loss and a sack against Miami. He tallied five stops, including one for loss, and forced a fumble against Purdue. The Boston native generated four tackles, including two for loss, and two sacks against NC State. Traore also had four stops, and put the quarterback to the turf at Arkansas. The former four-star prospect even recorded a sack in wins over Syracuse, and USC.

8. Taylor Wein, Oklahoma: The Tennessee native is relentless in his pursuit, and coming off a breakout campaign. Wein started eight games for the Sooners last season, and led the team in tackles for loss and sacks. He even earned second-team, All-SEC honors for his heroics in the trenches. Wein posted four tackles, including three for loss against Texas. The former three-star prospect tallied four stops, including two for loss, and made the quarterback eat grass against Kent State. Wein had a tackle for loss, a sack, and forced a fumble in the victory over Alabama. Not to mention he put the quarterback to the turf against Illinois State, Auburn, Missouri and Alabama in the first round of the Playoffs.

7. Will Heldt, Clemson: The former three-star prospect posted 56 tackles, including 10 for loss and five sacks as a Purdue Boilermaker in 2024. That production followed Heldt to Clemson last season, and he made an instant impact. Heldt ranked fifth on the Tigers in stops, and led the team in tackles for loss and sacks. The Indiana native even capped off the year with third-team, All-ACC honors. Heldt generated three tackles, including one for loss and a sack against LSU. Not to mention he tallied four solo stops, including two for loss and a sack in the win over Troy. Heldt also had a sack against Fruman, Syracuse and South Carolina. His eight stops in bowl game against Penn State were a season-high.

6. Melkart Abou-Jaoude, North Carolina: He was an unknown out of high school, and spent three seasons at the FCS level. However, Abou-Jaoude made some noise in his first year with the Tar Heels in 2025. Abou-Jaoude started 11 contests, and ranked ninth in the FBS in sacks per game. The 6-foot-5, 260-pounder finished first on the team in tackles for loss, sacks, and ranked fourth in stops.  Abou-Jaoude earned second-team, All-ACC honors for his work in the trenches. His seven tackles at Wake Forest were a season-high. Abou-Jaoude tallied three sacks apiece against Virginia and Stanford. Not to mention he had two sacks apiece against Richmond and Syracuse, and 32 stops over the final six games.

5. Clev Lubin, Louisville: The New York native was an under-the-radar talent out of high school, who blossomed into an elite edge rusher. Lubin tied for 25th nationally in sacks per game last season. He ranked fourth on the Cardinals with 61 stops, and led the team in tackles for loss and sacks. Not to mention he capped off the year with third-team, All-ACC honors. Lubin posted 10 tackles, including seven solo, a sack, and forced a fumble against James Madison. The 6-foot-3, 260-pounder also generated 10 stops, including a season-high, nine solo against California. Lubin recorded two sacks apiece against Eastern Kentucky, and Kentucky. On top of that, he even tallied a sack against Clemson and Toledo.

4. Quincy Rhodes, Arkansas: The former four-star prospect had a breakout season with the Razorbacks last year. After all, Rhodes started 11 contests, and finished 23rd in the FBS in sacks per game. He even ranked first on the team in tackles for loss, and sacks. Not to mention Rhodes earned second-team, All-SEC honors for his heroics. The Arkansas native posted six solo tackles, including four for loss and two sacks at Memphis. Rhodes tallied six stops, including two for loss and two sacks in the win over Arkansas State. The 6-foot-6, 277-pounder recorded five tackles, including two for loss and two sacks against Auburn. Rhodes also put the quarterback to the turf against Alabama A&M, and Mississippi State.

3. John Henry Daley, Michigan: The former three-star prospect had a breakout season with Utah last year, and started the first 11 games before he suffered an injury. Daley ranked fifth on the Utes with 48 stops. He led the Big 12, and finished second in the FBS in sacks per game. Daley also led the conference, and ranked third nationally in tackles for loss per game. The Utah native was so dominant, that he earned first-team, All-Big 12, and second-team, AP All-America honors. Daley generated six sacks through the first four games. Not to mention he had two sacks apiece against Wyoming, Kansas State, and UCLA. Daley also made the quarterback eat grass against Arizona State, BYU, Texas Tech, and Cal Poly.

2. Anthony Smith, Minnesota: The Pennsylvania native has been a terror off the edge for the past two seasons. Smith racked up 27 tackles, including 11.5 for loss and six sacks in 2024. Not only did Smith start all 13 games last year, but he led the Big Ten, and ranked fifth in the FBS in sacks per game. He finished second in the conference, and 11th nationally in tackles for loss per game. Smith recorded five tackles, including 2.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks in the win over Nebraska. The former four-star prospect tallied five stops, including two for loss and a sack against Michigan State. The 6-foot-6, 285-pound Smith also made the quarterback eat grass against Northwestern State, Oregon, California, Northwestern and Rutgers.

1. Colin Simmons, Texas: The former five-star prospect has lived up to his billing, and led the Longhorns in sacks for the past two seasons. Simmons has the explosive burst that makes blockers tremble in their shoes. He started 12 game last year, and ended it with first-team, All-SEC honors. After all, Simmons led the conference, and ranked sixth nationally in sacks per game. The Dallas native finished strong down the stretch, and recorded a sack in each of the final five contests. Simmons posted three tackles loss, three sacks and forced a fumble in the win at Kentucky. The 6-foot-three, 245-pounder tallied 2.5 sacks against Oklahoma. Simmons also had a sack against Vanderbilt, Arkansas, Georgia, and Sam Houston.