Ranking the Top 5 Big Ten edge rushers for 2026 football season
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Edge rushers are becoming just as coveted as quarterbacks in the modern NFL, and while no Big Ten edges were taken in the first round of this year’s NFL Draft, there might be multiple selections in 2027.
Continuing our series counting down the top five players at each position in the conference, here are our picks for the top five edge rushers in the Big Ten in 2026.
5. Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Ohio State
Kenyatta Jackson Jr. was never the top edge rusher for Ohio State the last three seasons, but his talent and steady production make him an interesting player to watch in 2026. The 6-foot-6, 265-pounder started all 14 games for the Buckeyes last season, playing a career-high 549 snaps in 2025. He did plenty with the opportunity, coming in second for tackles for loss (11) and sacks (6.5) on the team, to go along with 28 tackles and two pass breakups.
He has shown flashes of taking over games — eight quarterback pressures and two sacks against Washington and seven pressures and one sack against Penn State — and he hopes to grow even more during his final season of college football.
4. Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon
Matayo Uiagalelei was being discussed as a Day 2 draft choice this winter, but he chose to return to Oregon for one more season. Uiagalelei started all 15 games for the Ducks in 2025, recording 34 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, four pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. His play earned him All-Big Ten honorable mention from the coaches and media.
According to PFF, this was best season yet, as he posted a career-high 82.4 overall grade in 2025. His 52 pressures were the 11th most in the Power Four and he earned a career-best 74.2 PFF run-defense grade. Heading into 2026, Uiagalelei will be part of one of the top defenses in the country, and his steady improvement each year should keep his draft stock high.
3. Teitum Tuioti, Oregon
Speaking of football family ties, Teitum Tuioti comes from a strong football background — his father, Tony Teitum, is the current defensive line coach at Oregon. Nonetheless, Tuioti is easily making a name for himself, and he enters his senior year with high expectations.
He has a solid junior year in 2025, leading Oregon with a career-high 16 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks in 15 starts. Tuioti also posted 38 total quarterback pressures and 45 tackles, which earned PFF grades of 80 or higher in defense (83.8), run defense (80), tackling (81.2) and pass rush (82.7). As a result, he earned All-Big Ten third-team honors from the coaches and media.
Given his exponential growth in the last few seasons, the sky is the limit for Tuioti in Dan Lanning’s defense.
2. Anthony Smith, Minnesota
Anthony Smith led the Big Ten with 12.5 sacks and was second with 17.5 tackles for loss in 2025. He also finished 2025 with 38 tackles, three pass deflections and 44 quarterback pressures. Along with an All-Big Ten first-team honor, Smith became the first Gopher to lead the Big Ten in sacks since 2000 (Karon Riley), and he recorded the second-most sacks among FBS edges.
Going into his final season of college football, Smith will be looked at to produce a similar level of play, which is no small feat. However, if he can come close to replicating that production, he will easily be talked about as a Day 1 draft choice next spring.
1. John Henry Daley, Michigan
Michigan’s success will depend on a lot of factors, but the Wolverines need to get the most out of John Henry Daley to compete in the Big Ten.
The splash of the offseason, Daley was an All-Big 12 first-team selection by the coaches in 2025, while also being named as a Walter Camp First Team All-American. The 6-foot-4, 255-pounder recorded 48 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in 2025. He posted a 93.4 pass rush grade on PFF, the second best of the edges and linebackers. Not to mention, he recorded 51 quarterback pressures.
The only question mark around Daley is his health. He ruptured his Achilles tendon late last year, and although all signs indicate a full recovery, you never know how players are going to be after a severe injury like that. Nonetheless, Daley has the potential to be a difference maker, giving Michigan a gem that can disrupt a game on a moment’s notice.
Others to watch: Michael Kilbane (Northwestern), Sahir West (UCLA), Aiden Gobaira (UCLA), Joe Barna (Illinois), Kameryn Crawford (USC), Jacob Lane (Washington), Cameron Brandt (Michigan)
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