Top 5 edge rushers in college football for 2018

5. Montez Sweat, Mississippi State

Sweat was a highly recruited player by Michigan State originally, but had two disappointing years and left for personal reasons. After a year at juco, he moved on to MSU and ended up leading the SEC with 10.5 sacks in his first season with the Bulldogs.

Sweat is a very long and lanky D-end at 6’6”, 245 pounds. While he looks pretty lean, he has much more power than you’d anticipate, which he uses to stand offensive tackles up and then he has a feel for those guys overcommitting when they try to recover.

His coaches at Ole Miss have already been very creative with him, involving him in twists and loops or lining him up at dime-linebacker originally and then bringing him down to the edge late. Sweat has outstanding agility for his build to be able to break down and redirect once he reads the action in the backfield, but he defers to dipping his shoulder into run-blockers and gives up contain a few times.

Honorable mentions: Chase Winowich (Michigan), Zach Allen (Boston College), Anfernee Jennings (Alabama)