The high school football season is upon us again.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be taking a position-by-position look at some of the best players in Ohio high school football.
We started with the quarterbacks, defensive linemen and running backs. Now we’re looking at the state’s best edge rushers.
There are many outstanding Ohio football players and these lists are not exhaustive. Tag us on X or Instagram at @SBLiveOH to discuss the other edge rushers who deserve fans’ attention in 2024. You can also send player nominations to [email protected].
(Note: These lists were compiled before the first week of the season)
Keishaun Calhoun, Groveport-Madisonsenior
The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Calhoun is a three-star recruit who has committed to Indiana. Calhoun had 42 tackles, 5.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss with two defensive touchdowns last season.
Elijah Durham Smith, Pickerington NorthJunior
The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Durham-Smith is considered a three-star talent and has five offers, including four from the Mid-American Conference.
Malachi Ervin, Pickerington NorthJunior
Ervin is 6’4″ and weighs 200 pounds. His offer list includes Massachusetts and four programs in the Mid-American Conference.
Eric Gayle, Withdrawsenior
Gayle, who is 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, has 14 scholarship offers and is committed to Illinois. Last season, he finished with 30 tackles, seven tackles for loss and four sacks.
Marshon Gregory-Bey, Miamisburgsenior
Gregory-Bey is 6’5″ and 225 pounds. He is committed to Akron and has six offers in the Mid-American Conference. He recorded 17 tackles last year when the Vikings went 8-4.
Jameil Hamm, Cleveland Heightssenior
After helping Cleveland Glenville to a 13-3 victory and Division IV state championship last fall and earning first-team all-state honors, the 6-foot-3, 225-pound player transferred to Cleveland Heights. Hamm, a three-star recruit, has committed to play for Miami University.
Myles Harrison, Pickerington Central, senior
Harrison is a three-star recruit with 12 scholarship offers and has committed to Buffalo. Last season, the 6-foot-3, 215-pound player had 13 sacks and 19 tackles for loss during the regular season.
Jonah Hayes, Archbishop Möllersenior
Hayes is a 6-foot-6, 215-pound junior prospect who committed to Northwestern. He battled injuries last fall and recorded 14 tackles as the Crusaders won 10-5 and advanced to the Division I semifinals.
Jackson Homes, Springfieldsenior
The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Heims has 11 scholarship offers, including from Kentucky and five Mid-American Conference programs. Last season, Heims was second-team All-State at Division I, when he recorded 10 sacks and the Wildcats went 10-6 and finished as state runners-up.
Justin Hill, Winton Woodssenior
While helping Winton Woods to an 8-4 record last season, the 6-foot-3, 220-pound player recorded 36 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 13 sacks and two forced fumbles. Hill, who was selected to the first team all-state last year, is considered a four-star talent and has committed to play for Alabama.
Naim Jackson, Cincinnati LaSallesenior
The 6-foot-4, 240-pound player is a promising prospect and is considering a list of 10 offers that includes Kentucky and Pittsburgh. He was a second-team player in the Greater Catholic League-South Division last season.
Khy’lek Jarrett, Princetonsenior
Jarrett is 6-foot-3, 200 pounds and has eight offers, including Boston College and West Virginia. He was an honorable mention All-State selection at Division I last fall, when he recorded 54 tackles and 5.5 sacks.
Napoleon Jemison, Whitmersenior
Jemison was the Northern Lakes League-Buckeye Division’s top defensive player last season and was selected to the Division I first team when the Panthers went 7-4. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound player has a list of eight offers, including Duke, Kentucky and West Virginia.
K’Vuone McNeal, Canton McKinleysenior
McNeal is 6’3″ and 220 pounds. He has offers from Bowling Green, Buffalo, Kent State and Grand Valley State. He was an honorable mention Division I All-State selection last season, recording 11 sacks and 13 quarterback hits.
Jaylen Mercer, Winton WoodsSecond year student
The 6-foot-5, 225-pound Mercer is already one of the top recruits in the class of 2027 and has a list of 12 scholarship offers, including from Michigan State, Penn State and USC.
Derrick Singletary, MiddletownJunior
Singletary, who is 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, has offers from a list of schools, including Kentucky and three from the Mid-American Conference. Singletary, a transfer from Bishop Fenwick, was the All-Southwest District runner-up last season and finished the season with 65 tackles, eight tackles for loss and a sack.
Caden Turner, Coal Grove Dawson-BryantJunior
Last season, Turner finished with 43 tackles, three tackles for loss and a sack. Turner, who is listed at 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, has offers from Appalachian State and Bowling Green.
Ty Watkins, Cincinnati Mt. Healthysenior
The 6-foot-5, 215-pound three-star recruit, who has nine offers including five from the Mid-American Conference, also plays tight end. Last season, Watkins recorded 5.5 sacks and the Fighting Owls went 8-3.
Elijah Williams Dixon, Millersburg West Holmessenior
Last fall, the 6-foot-3, 195-pound Williams-Dixon was named All-State for the second time in Division IV when he recorded 105 tackles, 21 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks.
Cedric Works, Northmontsenior
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Works is a four-star prospect who has 17 offers and has committed to Kentucky. Last season, Works was second-team All-State in Division II and finished the season with 82 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.
Stick with SBLive Ohio all season long for all of our high school football coverage. You can check out our Ohio high school football scoreboards all season long.
