I worked a bit of a deeper dive on the edges - and I’ll still be diving further…
Rueben Bain, Jr, The U - he has absolute incredible bend combined with linebacker movement and a relentless motor. There is (rightful) concern with his length, but Bain doesn’t typically use extension in his move set except on obvious run reads where he uses it strictly to maintain his gap. Hes so smooth with his movements and is constantly gap sound. A better pass rusher than given credit for (3rd in power 4 conferences in sack production in 2025). Never say die attitude and a leader. Love him as a prospect, just may not be a pure pass rusher.
David Bailey, Texas Tech - good bend, fast and athletic. He is a big end that can get low and turn his length to his advantage. Uses extension as a tool. He doesn’t have a ton of pass rusher moves with his arms and he relies on burst to get upfield beyond the tackle “umbrella”. He gets up the field quickly. Literally looks like he’s shot out of a cannon with his get off. While his moveset isn’t all that impressive his burst and athleticism is. So much of his production is him flying off the ball at the snap and ripping around a blocker. His run game defense is mostly anticipation and blowing up the read for an offense and engulfing the ball carrier.
Keldric Faulk, Auburn - he’s young, but he has great play recognition and sees the offensive tackle’s move and has a plan to counter nearly instantly. A bit raw, but has great length And bats down a lot of passes. He plays a 3-tech and is very fluid in his movement. His bend is a literal bend at times, at the waist, and that needs to be corrected, but again - he is so young. I notice he can be a bit antsy pre-snap but it seems like he does that when he absolutely thinks he knows the play and then he blows it up. Faulk is tremendously underrated, imo.
TJ Parker, Clemson - one of the things you notice about him fast is his change of direction ability. He can stop and get going the other way really easily. Parker can lay the lumber, too. He isn’t as bursty as the first three guys. More of a big body edge setter. Has good ball skills when getting to the QB and is a guy that can force turnovers. Definitely isn’t the best pass rusher or run stopper and lacks the burst to be a true destroyer at this point but has room to grow.
Cassius Howell, Texas A&M - has a similar bend to Bain. Great dip, gets low and moves well out of it. What stands out big time
About him is he has tremendous ball skills and moves and plays like a linebacker. He isn’t as strong at the point of attack but gets off blocks and when he gets downhill he looks like a freight train. He’s an excellent open field tackler, too. But he is small. 248 lbs. granted, it’s two pounds lighter than Bailey, he’s listed as only an inch shorter but he looks a lot smaller on film.
I watched some other guys but I didn’t love them as first round types to get too deep. That can change. But for now…
1. Reuben Bain, Jr, The U - but I’m not sure that means he’s the best pick for us.
2. David Bailey, Texas Tech - probably our best pick as a pure pass rusher - if that is our goal he is the guy.
3. Keldric Faulk, Auburn - can move around the DL and is raw clay to mold due to age.
4. Cassius Howell, A&M - love the way he plays.
5. TJ Parker, Clemson - meh.
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walterfootball.com
that may be a riser. Perhaps Max is someone on our radar Day 2-3 and maybe become a nice rotational piece.
