UNDER THE SCOPE: Edge Rushers

Miami’s roster is set for the 2025 football season. It’s time to break down the state of the program, position by position.

This series will examine each position, in the present and the immediate future.

In this edition, we put our edge rushers under the microscope.

Miami Edge Room:

Arguably, in this new era of college football, pass rushers are one of, if not, the most important position on the defense. Over the last decade, Miami has developed quite a few All-ACC edge rushers. This position is year-over-year a team strength. 2025 is no exception.

Coaching Staff

The position is coached by former NFL All-Pro and Hall of Fame Aaron Taylor.

Roster

Miami welcomes back a young and very talented group of four edge rushers, including Rueben Bain Jr., Marquise Lightfoot, Cole McConathy II, and Booker Pickett.

Miami also welcomed three new freshmen, including former five-star Hayden Lowe, four-star Herbert Scroggins III and three-star Mykah Newton.

In all, Miami has three (3) new edge rushers and four (4) returnees to man this critical position for the Canes.

The Future

Miami’s 2026 recruiting at the edge position has started slow, but selective.

Among the edge prospects being targeted are four-star Anthony Jones (Mobile, AL), four-star Asharri Charles (Venice, FL), four-star Jaquez Wilkes (Wadley, AL) and three-star Kosi Okpala (Houston, TX).

We project Miami will sign 1-2 edge rushers in the 2026 recruiting class.

BOTTOM LINE:

Miami has a good mix of veteran experience and youth in the edge room. This position will be a team strength in 2025 and beyond.

GO CANES!