Ranking the 10 Best Pass-Rushers Among the 2015 Recruits

While quarterback remains the premier position that can make or break every team’s recruiting class, securing an elite pass-rushing defensive end can elevate a program in a hurry.

For instance, South Carolina’s ability to land Jadeveon Clowney and Ole Miss winning the Robert Nkemdiche sweepstakes provided a huge boost to both the Gamecocks and Rebels. 

The 2015 class has a dynamic group of pass-rushers, headlined by the nation’s top overall prospect this cycle—5-star Virginia defensive end Josh Sweat.

However, Sweat is hardly alone when it comes to impact pass-rushers in the 2015 class.

Which standouts represent the Top 10 pass-rushers in the 2015 class?

10. Shy Tuttle

Rarely are interior defensive linemen counted on to provide pressure on the quarterback. In the instances a defensive tackle is capable of bringing the heat on passing downs, they are often special talents. 

Such is the case with 4-star defensive tackle and Tennessee commit Shy Tuttle. 

The 6’4”, 311-pounder recorded 40 tackles for loss over his freshman and sophomore seasons—including 27 sacks and nine forced fumbles.

Considering Butch Jones can plug Tuttle into the middle of the defensive line with fellow 5-star defensive tackle commit Kahlil McKenzie, the future of the Vols defense looks bright in the trenches.

9. Darian Roseboro

Credit: 247Sports

At 6’4”, 285 pounds and blessed with sub-4.7 speed in the 40-yard dash, it’s easy to see why colleges have been quick to react to the recent decommitment of former Michigan pledge Darian Roseboro.

Per Steve Lorenz of Wolverine247, Oklahoma offered the North Carolina standout last week. Also, per Andrew Bone of Rivals, Alabama head coach Nick Saban reached out to him as well.

Over the last three years, Roseboro has been uber-productive on the prep level, racking up 339 tackles—including 63 for loss with 26 sacks and four forced fumbles.

With his penchant for living in the opponent’s backfield and his ability to play inside or outside along the defensive line, Roseboro is one of the nation’s top defensive line prospects who are still on the market.

8. Rasheem Green

The defensive tackle position is among the deepest spots filled with talent in the 2015 cycle.

There are seven interior defensive linemen who are rated among the nation’s Top 50 prospects—including 5-star tackle and California product Rasheem Green.

The 6’5”, 275-pounder—who racked up 27 tackles for loss and 15.5 sacks over the last two seasons—is among the nation’s most coveted prospects who have yet to make a commitment.

"I don't have an official list, like a top-five schools or anything like that, but Stanford, USC, UCLA, Oregon, Oklahoma, Miami, Alabama, Notre Dame and Arizona State are the schools I talk to the most right now," Green told Scott Schrader of FightOn247 last month (subscription required).

With his ability to be productive as a run-stuffer and as a pass-rusher, it’s easy to see why some of the nation’s top programs are actively pursuing him in hopes of earning his signature on national signing day.

7. Breiden Fehoko

Credit: 247Sports

The state of Hawaii has imported its share of impact recruits who have thrived on the college level in recent years—with Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota representing a prime example.

This year, the state’s top prospect is 4-star defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko—a 6’3”, 290-pound monster who is simply unblockable on the prep level.

Fehoko, who is committed to Texas Tech, recorded 103 tackles and a whopping 24.5 sacks as a junior. 

With that type of motor and production, Fehoko is a candidate to become a potential difference-maker immediately upon his arrival in Lubbock next year.

6. Malik Jefferson

When it comes to finding impact defensive players in the 2015 cycle who can create havoc on three downs, Texas 5-star linebacker Malik Jefferson is a player that fits the bill.

The 6’3”, 215-pounder displayed his explosiveness as an athlete during The Opening—where he put up a sub-4.4 time in the 40-yard dash and leaped nearly 40 inches in the vertical jump en route to finishing as the runner-up in the SPARQ national championship, per Student Sports. 

If his measurables aren’t impressive enough, his production over his sophomore and junior seasons validate his enormous potential on the next level.

In that span, Jefferson racked up a total of 188 tackles—including 37 for loss with 19 sacks and eight forced fumbles.

Given the havoc that Jefferson can create all over the field, he’s someone offenses will have to account for on every snap when he reaches the college level.

5. Trent Thompson

The prep coaches in southwest Georgia have spent the last three seasons watching the exploits of 5-star defensive tackle Trent Thompson. 

At 6’4”, 292 pounds, Thompson is simply a man among boys on the prep level.

Thompson recorded 148 tackles over his sophomore and junior seasons, including 17 sacks.

The Georgia commitment is versatile enough to fit in either a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme, and his effectiveness as a pass-rusher is what has helped earn him the distinction of being tabbed as 2015’s top defensive tackle.

4. Jashon Cornell

When it comes to pure pass-rushing defensive ends, there may not be a better prospect than Minnesota 4-star Jashon Cornell.

The 6’4”, 260-pounder recorded 14 sacks as a sophomore and added 15 last season. He’s also recorded 46 tackles for loss and five forced fumbles in that span.

The Under Armour All-American selection committed to Ohio State in July over offers from Alabama, Notre Dame, Michigan State, Oregon and Florida among others.

Considering the Buckeyes' defensive woes in recent years, Cornell could be a potential impact performer the minute he arrives in Columbus.

3. CeCe Jefferson

Even though Florida 5-star defensive end CeCe Jefferson had his senior season cut short due to injury, his body of work during his prep career is more than enough to validate his lofty ranking.

According to MaxPreps, Jefferson recorded combined totals of 27.5 sacks, 43 quarterback hurries and 44 tackles for loss in his freshman and junior seasons at Baker County High School.

The 6’2”, 250-pounder is being pursued by powers such as Florida, Florida State, Alabama and Ole Miss among others.

It’s his penchant for harassing quarterbacks that make Jefferson one of the most explosive recruits in the 2015 class.

2. Byron Cowart

With many teams employing spread offenses and adding the tempo element to it, the premium on finding defensive players who are versatile enough to stay on the field for three downs is critical. 

For example, part of the reason that makes 5-star Florida defensive end Byron Cowart such a hot commodity is that he’s physical enough to be a traditional 4-3 end and agile enough to play outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. 

In fact, two of his favorites—Florida and Alabama—are pursuing him with intentions of playing him in that hybrid role in the 3-4.

Florida, in particular, wants to pair Cowart and Jefferson together, as noted by B/R’s Tyler Donohue.

As a junior, Cowart was credited for 72 tackles and 13 sacks. With that type of production and versatility packed into a 6’4”, 250-pound frame, it’s no coincidence why he has been tabbed as the top defensive end prospect in the 2015 class.

1. Josh Sweat

Like Jefferson, Josh Sweat’s senior season was cut short due to a leg injury.

However, there’s a reason why the 6’5”, 240-pound Virginia product has been tabbed as the nation’s top overall recruit in the 2015 class.

Sweat recorded 94 tackles as a junior—including 31 for loss and 22 sacks with two forced fumbles.

On top of that, he’s an athletic freak. The doubters of his lofty ranking were dispelled after he posted absurd testing numbers at The Opening, per Student Sports.

With sub-4.5 speed in the 40-yard dash, and the type of fast-twitch athleticism to wreak havoc off the edge, Sweat is the latest on a long line of stud pass-rushing recruits who possess the ability to change a program.

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow @SanjayKirpalani