Responsible for the chaos in defense is the edge rusher, who can be either a defensive end or an outside linebacker, and there are a lot of dangerous guys of those in the Big 12.
The conference boasts returnees like Collin Oliver of Oklahoma State and Tyler Batty of BYU, but also includes newcomers like BJ Green II of Colorado.
Here are the top 10 Big 12 edge rushers entering this season:
Big 12 Position Rankings: quarterback | Running back | Wide Receiver | Tight End | Linebacker | Cornerback
The 10 best Big 12 edge rushers for the 2024 season
10. Steve Linton, Baylor
Linton spent four seasons at Syracuse and one at Texas Tech before transferring to Baylor on Jan. 22.
The 6’1″ edge rusher recorded 45 tackles (8.5 for loss) and 3.5 sacks during his time at Syracuse. He then recorded 22 tackles (4.5 for loss) and three sacks as a senior at Texas Tech last season.
Linton is now moving to Baylor, which had the second-fewest sacks in the Big 12 last season (18), and he should make an immediate impact with the Bears.
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9. Sean Martin, West Virginia
Sean Martin was a reliable performer last season.
The 6-5 edge rusher started all 13 games as a junior, logging 487 snaps, and finished the season with 27 tackles (five for loss) and a sack, earning him honorable mention as Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year.
Then in April, Martin received the 2024 Iron Mountaineer Award, which is given to the most outstanding offseason performer in West Virginia’s strength and conditioning program. It’s safe to say the fifth-year veteran is ready for another season of consistent performance.
8. Jared Bartlett, Cincinnati
Bartlett spent the first four seasons of his career in West Virginia before being traded to Cincinnati on January 7.
The 6’2″ edge rusher set career highs in all areas as a redshirt junior for the Mountaineers last season, recording 49 tackles (six for loss) and 4.5 sacks.
Bartlett’s numbers may drop in Cincinnati as he shares the field with star defensive tackle Dontay Corleone, but the fifth-year veteran is still a valuable addition who should contribute immediately.
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7. Brendan Mott, Kansas State
After only appearing in two games in his first three seasons with the program, Mott finally made the starting lineup in 2022.
The 6-5 edge rusher hasn’t looked back. Mott earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors as a senior last season with 28 tackles (4.5 for loss) and a sack. He also defended two passes and forced two fumbles.
Mott has come a long way, and now in his sixth and final season with the Wildcats, he should be able to put up even better numbers following the graduation of fellow edge rusher Khalid Duke.
6. Tyler Onyedim, Iowa State
Onyedim was a full-time starter for the first time last season and he did not disappoint.
The 6-4 edge rusher recorded 42 tackles (6.5 for loss) and two sacks as a redshirt sophomore. He also recorded nine quarterback hurries, the most on his team, and earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors for his strong play.
Onyedim established himself as a playmaker for Iowa State’s defense, which allowed the third-fewest points per game (22.8) in the Big 12 last season. With a year of starting experience under his belt, he should only get better this season.
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5. Jereme Robinson, Kansas
Robinson is another player on this list who became a full-time starter last season.
The 6’3″ edge rusher put up impressive numbers. As a junior, he earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors for 25 tackles (six for loss), 4.5 sacks and six pass deflections.
Kansas needs to replace the performance of Austin Booker, who led the team in tackles for loss (12) and sacks (8) last season. Look no further than Robinson, who is now the leader of the Jayhawks’ defensive line.
4. BJ Green II, Colorado
Green is the best newcomer on this list.
The 6’1″ edge rusher was named to the All-Pac-12 second team with 39 tackles (11.5 for loss) and six sacks as a junior at Arizona State last season. He transferred to Colorado on January 29.
It’s a big addition for the Buffaloes, whose defensive line was their biggest weakness last season. Green is a game-changer who was already named to the All-Big 12 team in the preseason.
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3. Malachi Lawrence, UCF
Lawrence didn’t make the All-Big 12 team last season, but I’m still giving him the No. 3 spot on this list.
The 6-foot-4 edge rusher earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors last season as a redshirt sophomore, recording 27 tackles (10.5 for loss) and 7.5 sacks.
Lawrence already has a year of conference experience under his belt and is a more imposing prospect than the underperforming Green, so I’m giving the edge to Lawrence, who should play an even bigger role this season following the departure of Tre’Mon Morris-Brash.
2. Tyler Batty, BYU
There weren’t many bright spots on BYU’s defensive line last season, which ranked last in the Big 12 in sacks (11), but Batty was the exception.
The 6-5 edge rusher recorded 57 tackles (nine for loss) and 5.5 sacks as a junior. He also forced two fumbles and was named to the All-Big 12 second team.
Batty subsequently earned a spot on the preseason All-Big 12 team. It’s a well-deserved selection for the fifth-year veteran, whose individual play shouldn’t be overshadowed by the Cougars’ struggles on defense.
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1. Collin Oliver, Oklahoma State
Oliver thrives no matter where he is deployed on the field.
After spending his first two seasons at OSU as a defensive end, where he recorded 57 tackles (23 for loss) and 16 sacks and was twice named to the All-Big 12 second team, the 6-foot-2 junior switched to outside linebacker last season. Oliver was again named to the All-Big 12 second team as a junior with 73 tackles (15.5 for loss), six sacks and five pass deflections.
Oliver was named to the preseason All-Big 12 team for his final outing with the Cowboys. Expect great things again from the former Edmond Santa Fe star, who is undoubtedly the best edge rusher in the conference.
