With the NFL as pass-happy as it is, pass-rushers are extremely valuable. Having a good week in Mobile can also help such players. Just ask the Jets. They have selected an edge that was at the Senior Bowl in the first round in each of the last two drafts — Jermaine Johnson, 2022; Will McDonald, 2023.
Could the Jets add another this year? Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will get a close eye on some of these players as the American team head coach. Not just Ulbrich, but linebackers coach Nathaniel Willingham as well, as he will be on the coaching staff. Joining Willingham is Imarjaye Albury of the Vikings, Rob Leonard of the Raiders and Cato June of the Colts. undefinedHere’s who’s in Mobile this week at the edge and linebacker positions.
Austin Booker, Kansas
Kansas redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Austin Booker (9) reacts after a sack in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s Sunflower Showdown against Kansas State inside David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.
Jaylen Harrell, Michigan
Dec 2, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive end Jaylen Harrell (32) reacts after a play during the first half of the Big Ten Championship game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Brennan Jackson, Washington State
Nov 4, 2023; Pullman, Washington, USA; Stanford Cardinal quarterback Justin Lamson (8) is hit while throwing a pass by Washington State Cougars defensive end Brennan Jackson (80) in the second half at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. Stanford won 10-7. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Adisa Isaac, Penn State
Nov 24, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Adisa Isaac (20) pressures and sacks Michigan State Spartans quarterback Katin Houser (12) during the second half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports
Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan
Sep 9, 2023; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse Orange quarterback Garrett Schrader (6) runs with the ball as Western Michigan Broncos defensive lineman Marshawn Kneeland (99) defends during the first half at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Laitau Latu, UCLA
Nov 11, 2023; Pasadena, California, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Melquan Stovall (7) runs against UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Laiatu Latu (15) at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Alex Gallardo-USA TODAY Sports
Braiden McGregor, Michigan
Michigan defensive end Braiden McGregor tackles Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe during the first half of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024.
Javon Solomon, Troy
Sep 3, 2022; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Troy defensive back Javon Solomon (41) and Troy linebacker Jayden McDonald (10) react after a tackle during the first quarter against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Michael Barrett, Michigan
Michigan linebacker Michael Barrett (23) warms up during open practice at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024.
JD Bertrand, Notre Dame
Oct 7, 2023; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker JD Bertrand (27) sacks Louisville Cardinals quarterback Jack Plummer (13) during the first half at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
Jontrey Hunter, Georgia State
Georgia State Panthers outside linebacker Jontrey Hunter (1) celebrates a stop at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. Auburn Tigers defeated Georgia State Panthers 34-24.
Cedric Gray, North Carolina
Nov 4, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Campbell Fighting Camels running back Tai Goode (3) is tackled by North Carolina Tar Heels linebacker Cedric Gray (33) in the third quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Edefuan Ulofoshio, Washington
Jan 1, 2024; New Orleans, LA, USA; Washington Huskies linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (5) tackles Texas Longhorns wide receiver Jordan Whittington (13) after losing his helmet in the 2024 Sugar Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Payton Wilson, North Carolina State
Nov 25, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye (10) throws a pass against North Carolina State Wolfpack linebacker Payton Wilson (11) during the first half at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Texas Longhorns linebacker Jaylan Ford (41) celebrates a defensive stop during the Sugar Bowl College Football Playoff semifinals game against the Washington Huskies at the Caesars Superdome on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Ty'Ron Hopper, Missouri
Missouri linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper celebrates after a play during a game against Kansas State at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 16, 2023, in Columbia, Mo.
Tyrice Knight, UTEP
Middle Tennessee running back Frank Peasant (24) runs the ball as UTEP linebacker Tyrice Knight (10) tackles him during the football game in Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium at MTSU in Murfreesboro, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov 18, 2023.
Trevin Wallace, Kentucky
Kentucky’s Trevin Wallace recovers the fumble and moves the ball against Florida Saturday afternoon. Sept. 30, 2023
Nathaniel Watson, Mississippi State
Nov 11, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Nathaniel Watson (14) reacts during the first half against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
Chris Braswell, Alabama
Nov 11, 2023; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Chris Braswell (41) celebrates after a Kentucky Wildcats fumble during the first quarter at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
Nelson Ceaser, Houston
Oct 21, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns running back CJ Baxter (4) is tackled by Houston Cougars defensive lineman Nelson Ceaser (9) during the second quarter at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
Jalyx Hunt, Houston Christian
Cedric Johnson, Ole Miss
Oct 28, 2023; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive linemen Cedric Johnson (2) during the second half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
James Williams, Miami
Oct 22, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Duke Blue Devils running back Jordan Waters (7) runs with the football as Miami Hurricanes safety James Williams (0) defends during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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