The biggest players on a defense may line up in the middle, but some of the most important ones line up on the edge. As passing offenses continue to evolve, edge rushers have become the defenders offenses game-plan around, capable of changing a drive or an entire game with a single play.
As offenses continue to spread the field and throw the football more than ever, edge rushers have become some of the most valuable players on a defense. Their job goes beyond piling up sacks. They must set the edge against the run, force hurried throws and create negative plays that can change the outcome of a game.
This year's 28 Suspence/912 Suspence Top 5 Edge Rushers in the 912 includes five defenders who excelled in doing exactly that during the 2025 season.
1. Jeffery McCormick – Calvary Day
No returning player produced more pressure on opposing quarterbacks than Jeffery McCormick.
The Calvary Day standout finished with 58 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 19 sacks, 17 quarterback hurries, five fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles, helping lead the Cavaliers to the GHSA Class A-3A state championship game.
His 19 sacks ranked among the best totals in Georgia, but the consistency may have been even more impressive. McCormick recorded at least one sack in 11 games, including five against Windsor Forest, three against Islands and another in the state championship game.
When Calvary needed a big defensive play, McCormick often provided it.
2. Isaiah Jones – Bethesda Academy
Versatility made Isaiah Jones one of the Coastal Empire's most complete defensive players.
Jones finished the season with 64 tackles, six tackles for loss, four sacks, two quarterback hurries, two fumble recoveries and a pass breakup, producing in nearly every phase of Bethesda Academy's defense.
Whether defending the run, rushing the passer or pursuing plays across the field, Jones consistently found his way to the football. His ability to impact the game in multiple ways made him one of the area's top returning edge defenders.
3. Keyon Awulonu – Bradwell Institute
Keyon Awulonu spent much of last season in opposing backfields.
The Bradwell Institute defender recorded 53 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks and one interception, establishing himself as one of the Coastal Empire's most productive young pass rushers.
His 18 tackles for loss reflect more than sack production. They highlight a defender who consistently disrupted running plays before they developed while creating steady pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
4. Eli Koskela – Bryan County
Few defenders were around the football more often than Eli Koskela.
The Bryan County standout finished with 94 tackles, including 54 solo stops, while averaging nearly 10 tackles per game. He also contributed offensively with 208 rushing yards and four touchdowns, displaying his value on both sides of the ball.
Koskela's production shows a defender who played with discipline, sound tackling and an ability to find the football.
5. Elisha Williams – Calvary Day
Sharing a defensive front with Jeffery McCormick sometimes meant less attention, but Elisha Williams quietly turned in an outstanding season of his own.
Williams finished with 28 tackles, eight tackles for loss, four sacks, 13 quarterback hurries and one fumble recovery, giving Calvary Day another consistent pass-rushing threat.
The combination of Williams and McCormick forced offenses to account for pressure coming from both sides of the defensive front, making the Cavaliers one of the area's most difficult defenses to block.
Final Whistle
Successful defenses are built in different ways, but every championship contender needs players capable of changing a game from the edge.
Some do it with sacks. Others do it by forcing hurried throws, setting the edge against the run or creating tackles for loss. Regardless of the statistic, the common thread is the ability to disrupt an offense before a play has a chance to develop.
These five players did exactly that throughout the 2025 season, earning their place among the Coastal Empire's top returning edge rushers heading into 2026.
Photos courtesy of proshot_sports and the players' social media accounts.
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Keeping Savannah-area athletes healthy and ready for gameday all season long.
Team physicians include Dr. Don Aaron (Bryan County), Dr. David Sedory (Benedictine, Bradwell Institute, Liberty County), Dr. David Palmer (Calvary Day, Richmond Hill, South Effingham), and Dr. Thomas Alexander (Savannah Country Day, St. Vincent’s Academy).
