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By Cameron Kiszla
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It's a commonly held belief that the Big Ten has surpassed the SEC as the premier conference in college football in 2026.
When it comes to pass rushers, though, the SEC remains the cream of the crop, according to one prominent NFL draft analyst.
Todd McShay's Top Edge Rushing Prospects
Asked on social media, Todd McShay listed his top six edge rushers in college football, and his top three all play in the SEC:
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1. DYLAN STEWART, South Carolina
2. COLIN SIMMONS, Texas
3. YHONZAE PIERRE, Alabama
4. DAMON WILSON II, Miami
5. KENYATTA JACKSON JR., Ohio State
6. WILL HELDT, Clemson
As explained by Alex Byington of On3, there was some debate over McShay's choices, but it wasn't about him putting three SEC defenders at the top.
It was that some believe his No. 1 and No. 2 players should be flipped.
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"Now, while this ranking won’t surprise many diehard college football fans, the idea that South Carolina’s Stewart tops McShay’s list over the far more productive Simmons could ruffle some feathers," Byington wrote. "The 6-foot-5 and 250-pound Stewart has been on the NFL’s radar since he was a Five-Star Plus+ member of the 2024 recruiting cycle, but has just 11 combined sacks across his first two seasons with the Gamecocks.
"Meanwhile, the 6-foot-3 and 246-pound Simmons has established himself as one of the top pass rushers in college football with 21 combined sacks and 29.5 tackles for loss over the past two years at Texas. That includes producing an SEC-leading 12 sacks, 15 quarterback hurries and 15 1/2 tackles for loss in 2025."
Pierre trailed behind Simmons' production in 2025, but his sophomore season was still a breakthrough.
He had eight sacks as part of his 14.5 tackles for loss, and he also forced three fumbles.
He also had 45 pressures, though he's not resting on his laurels, Alabama outside linebackers coach Christian Robinson told Nick Kelly of AL.com ahead of the 2026 Rose Bowl.
“He’s done the work and he’ll tell you he’s still got room to improve,” Robinson said, “which is one of the best things that I’m excited about is attitude right now.”
Robinson added that Pierre has a lot of potential.
“The sky’s the limit for him,” Robinson said, “and I’m excited to see when he’s done here, what that looks like.”
Interestingly, No. 4 on the list, Damon Wilson II of Miami, is a former SEC player, having previously played for the Georgia Bulldogs and Missouri Tigers.
The last two contenders, Kenyatta Jackson Jr. of Ohio State and Will Heldt of Clemson, are both "bigger bodied defensive end prospects at 6-foot-6 and 260-plus pounds who are vying for breakout senior seasons," Byington wrote.
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