Ranking the top pass-rushers in college football for 2024
When we began our top 10 rankings for 2024 in college football, we started at quarterback, a natural spot given the importance of the position.
This week we turn to the players whose job it is to make the quarterback’s life miserable.
We asked our reporters to rank their top 10 pass-rushers — and the list is as varied as it is impressive. We have a couple of transfers, a mix of veterans and underclassmen and even a pair of teammates.
Points were assigned based on their votes: 10 points for first place, nine for second place and down to one point for 10th place.
Here are the results.
Previous top 10 lists: Receivers | Running backs | Quarterbacks
2023 stats: 10 sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles
Points: 58 (five first-place votes)
Tennessee signed six blue-chippers in its 2022 recruiting class. Pearce wasn’t one of them, but he had a blue-chipper’s offer list — Georgia, Florida State, Oklahoma, Texas and so on — and in only his first season as a regular, he quickly developed into one of the best pass-rushers in the sport. He was seventh nationally with 10 sacks and fifth with 11 sacks created (first pressures on what eventually became sacks). He boasted a 19% pressure rate (third nationally) and created pressure within 2.5 seconds of the snap on 10% of his pass rushes (also third). He brought down the quarterback at least once in eight of 13 games, and he created at least three pressures in eight contests, including five of his last six. He was Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded SEC defensive lineman.
Pearce is listed at a lanky 6-foot-5, 242 pounds, but he proved capable doing damage against the run too, finishing the season with 10 run stops — he was one of only 12 defenders (and one of only two in the SEC) with double-digit run stops and sacks. He is an absolute menace, and as he enters only his third year of college, he might still have more room to develop. — Bill Connelly
2023 stats: 11 sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles
Points: 53 (one first-place vote)
When Gillotte announced he was returning to Louisville for another season, the decision sent Cardinals fans rejoicing. Gillotte gives Louisville a bona fide star heading into the 2024 season, a player who has been on a steady upward trajectory since his freshman year in 2021. Gillotte has started 26 games the past two seasons, but last year was his breakout, with 14.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks (his sack total ranked No. 10 nationally). As a result, Gillotte earned first-team All-ACC honors and was a second-team Walter Camp All-American.
Entering this season, Gillotte will head a defense that returns six starters and made significant strides up front as one of the best pass-rushing teams in the ACC. He will be a preseason favorite for ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors. — Andrea Adelson
2023 stats: 14 sacks, 17.5 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble
Points: 43 (two first-place votes)
Don’t be surprised if Moore is among the most impactful non-quarterback transfers during the 2024 season. He brings elite pass-rushing skills to an ascending Texas defense that enters the SEC needing to replace Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year T’Vondre Sweat and other standouts. Moore shined for UTSA, setting the team record for tackles for loss (18) as a redshirt freshman, then the sacks record with 14 last season, just a half-sack shy of the AAC record. He earned conference Defensive Player of the Year honors and had 35.5 tackles for loss, 22 sacks and 3 forced fumbles over the past two seasons with the Roadrunners.
The San Antonio native should fit seamlessly into coordinator Pete Kwiatkowki’s defense, which showed clear improvement in 2023 but had no player eclipse 5.5 sacks. Moore has collected sacks in bunches, recording three or more in three contests last season. He fills an obvious need at Texas, which hasn’t had a player reach 13 sacks since Jackson Jeffcoat in 2013. Moore has room to grow as a run defender, and Texas’ move to the SEC will allow him to sharpen his skills against top competition before a likely move to the NFL. — Adam Rittenberg
2023 stats: 6.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles
Points: 35
Sawyer said he knew deep down in his heart that it wouldn’t have felt right to leave Ohio State following last season, triggering a return that will give the Buckeyes one of the top defensive end tandems in the country in Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau.
The 6-4, 265-pound Sawyer was ESPN’s No. 1-rated prospect overall in the 2021 signing class and played like it during the second half of last season. He had 5.5 of his 6.5 sacks in his past six games and also racked up eight tackles for loss during that stretch. He spent time during the 2022 season in a hybrid “Jack” linebacker role, but has the burst, size and skills to reach double digits in sacks in 2024 on an Ohio State defensive line that will be loaded. — Chris Low
2023 stats: 7.5 sacks, 12.5 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles
Points: 35
Here’s what Bain had going against him in 2023: He was a true freshman. He was splitting time between edge rusher and interior defender. He was on a team that, for the second straight year, felt directionless. It would have been entirely reasonable then to assume Bain would chalk up the season as a learning experience, work to sand off some rough edges and be ready to take the ACC by storm in 2024. Unfortunately for opposing QBs, he wasn’t that patient.
Bain was a force of nature in 2023, racking up 7.5 sacks, 12.5 tackles for loss, 4 quarterback hurries, 3 forced fumbles and 31 pressures — ninth most in the ACC — en route to being named the league’s Defensive Rookie of the Year. His expected progression in 2024 is one of the reasons Miami believes this season could be a turning point for the Canes. — David Hale
2023 stats: 8.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble
Points: 30
Rucker is one of the nation’s most experienced pass-rushers, having started games in each of the past four seasons. Although he showed the ability to disrupt quarterbacks early in his career, he didn’t have a true breakout year until 2023, when he collected 8.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss and 12 quarterback hurries. He led UNC in all three categories and earned second-team All-ACC honors, while ranking seventh nationally in total quarterback pressures with 41. Rucker opened the 2023 season with a career performance, recording 5.5 tackles for loss and two sacks in a win over South Carolina. He enters his final season with 16 sacks, 30.5 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles in 28 career starts.
An unheralded three-star recruit out of Georgia, Rucker gives new Tar Heels defensive coordinator Geoff Collins a proven star off the edge in 2024. Nicknamed “The Butcher,” Rucker has become a bigger factor against the run and posted a career-high 61 tackles, 24 more than in any other season, in 2023. At 6-foot-2 and 265 pounds, Rucker is a bit undersized but makes up for it with his technique and savvy in pursuing quarterbacks. He will be one of the ACC’s most recognizable defenders entering the fall. — Rittenberg
2023 stats: 5.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles
Points: 26
There’s no argument against Perkins’ otherworldly pass-rush skills. He burst onto the scene as a true freshman in 2022, holding his coming-out party in a 13-10 win over Arkansas in which he racked up four sacks and effectively shut down the Hogs’ offense single-handedly. Big things were expected of Perkins’ sophomore campaign, but the results were mixed. He continued to be a force off the edge, racking up 5.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss and recorded an impressive 16% pressure rate when rushing the quarterback.
But Perkins struggled badly against the run and often became a nonfactor on defense when playing inside. LSU has suggested it plans to use him inside again this season as Perkins works to become a more well-rounded defender. How much that takes away from his biggest strength as a pass-rusher remains to be seen, but the bottom line is inarguable: When Perkins is set loose on the passer, good things happen for LSU’s defense. — Hale
2023 stats: 5 sacks, 7 tackles for loss
Points: 23
A swarm of talented Ohio State players elected to return for the 2024 season, and Tuimoloau was at the top of that list. He was a first-team All-Big Ten selection a year ago, and at 6-foot-4, 270 pounds, he has the strength and power to overwhelm opposing offensive tackles. Tuimoloau’s length makes it difficult for quarterbacks to throw over him, and he’s always a threat to bat down passes at the line of scrimmage.
He was second on the team to returning defensive end cohort Jack Sawyer last season with five sacks and led the Buckeyes with six quarterback hurries. This will be Tuimoloau’s fourth season in the program, and as he said himself, the Buckeyes have “athletes everywhere” on defense. — Low
2023 stats: 7 sacks, 11.5 tackles for loss
Points: 19
Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin went to work in the transfer portal to remake his entire roster, and one of the best players he brought in has the ability to elevate an already stout defense that likes to be aggressive. Umanmielen was a force as an edge rusher at Florida last season, earning second-team All-SEC honors with 11.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks.
But it is safe to say we probably have not seen the best of him just yet. His career numbers might say otherwise, but in the defensive scheme he is entering, Umanmielen is capable of putting up the best numbers of his career. At 6-foot-5 and 255 pounds, Umanmielen uses his large frame to his advantage. But his former Florida coaches also raved about his lower body control, allowing him the leverage to stay balanced and make plays. — Adelson
2023 stats: 9.5 sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles
Points: 18
When a former blue-chipper leaves his original school in search of a new opportunity (and maybe a bit more playing time), this is how you hope things turn out. After starting five games and recording three sacks at Florida in 2022, Powell-Ryland moved to Blacksburg and went off. He finished second in the ACC in sacks (9.5), first in individual sack rate (3.9%) and third in pressure rate (14.6%). He was third nationally with three forced fumbles from sacks. He had one of the most incredible games you’ll see from a pass-rusher in Tech’s 30-13 win over Wake Forest in October, recording six pressures and four sacks in just 29 pass-rush attempts. He had four more pressures and two more sacks the next week against Syracuse.
Despite being a bit on the smaller side (6-3, 246), Powell-Ryland, who hails from the Portsmouth, Virginia, proved solid in run support too, recording eight run stops and finishing the season with 15 total tackles for loss. Even better, he’s returning for another season and will anchor one of the most experienced defenses in the country. — Connelly
Also receiving votes: Patrick Payton, Florida State (17); Elijah Roberts, SMU (15); Jah Joyner, Minnesota (11); Anthony Hill Jr., Texas (10); Deontae Lawson, Alabama (8); Mykel Williams, Georgia (8); Landon Jackson, Arkansas (7); Tyler Baron, Louisville (5); Jordan Burch, Oregon (4); Josaiah Stewart, Michigan (4); Jasheen Davis, Wake Forest (3); R.J. Oben, Notre Dame (3); Aeneas Peebles, Virginia Tech (2); Barryn Sorrell, Texas (2); Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky (1)
Week 7 shook up the College Football Playoff picture. No team earned a more impactful result than Indiana, whose win at Oregon is now the best in the country during the first half of the season. Indiana’s playoff chances jumped 21%, climbing to a 93% chance to make the playoff, according to the Allstate Playoff Predictor.
Not only are the Hoosiers off the bubble, but Indiana also is chasing a first-round bye as one of the top four seeds, having cemented its place alongside Ohio State and Miami as one of the nation’s best teams.
Indiana wasn’t the only winner, though, as South Florida and Texas Tech both saw their playoff chances jump by at least 15%.
Below you’ll find one team in the spotlight for each of the Power 4 leagues and another identified as an enigma. We’ve also tiered schools into three groups. Teams with Would be in status are featured in this week’s top 12 projection, a snapshot of what the selection committee’s ranking would look like if it were released today. Teams listed as On the cusp are the true bubble teams and the first ones outside the bracket. A team with Work to do is passing the eye test (for the most part) and has a chance at winning its conference, which means a guaranteed spot in the playoff. And a team that Would be out is playing in the shadows of the playoff — for now.
The 13-member selection committee doesn’t always agree with the Allstate Playoff Predictor, so the following categories are based on historical knowledge of the group’s tendencies plus what each team has done to date.
Reminder: This will change from week to week as each team builds — or busts — its résumé.
Jump to a conference:
ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten
SEC | Independent | Group of 5
Bracket
SEC
Spotlight: Tennessee. The Vols have looked like a borderline playoff team against unranked opponents in recent weeks, beating Mississippi State and Arkansas by a combined 10 points with one overtime. Offensively they’ve been elite, averaging 300 yards passing and 200 rushing per game. Defensively, they need to stop the run to make to challenge in the SEC. They’ll have a chance against Alabama on Saturday to further legitimize their hopes. With a win, Tennessee’s chances of reaching the playoff would jump to 52%, according to the Allstate Playoff Predictor. Tennessee ranks No. 10 in ESPN’s game control metric and No. 19 in strength of record. The Vols are projected in the committee’s No. 12 spot this week, which means they would get knocked out of the actual field during the seeding process to make room for the highest-ranked Group of 5 champion. The five highest-ranked conference champions are guaranteed spots in the playoff, so if the fifth team is ranked outside of the committee’s top 12, its No. 12 team gets the boot.
Enigma: Texas. The Longhorns took a baby step toward a return to CFP relevance with a big win against Oklahoma, but it was their first win against a Power 4 opponent and their first against a ranked team. Texas has the 15th-most-difficult remaining schedule, and with two losses is already in a precarious position. The Longhorns will play three of their next four opponents on the road (at Kentucky, Mississippi State and Georgia). There were encouraging signs from the win against the rival Sooners, from the stingy defense that flustered quarterback John Mateer all game to what looked like an improved offensive line that gave quarterback Arch Manning some time to throw. He completed 16 of 17 passes for 119 yards and a touchdown when under no duress. If Texas can continue to put it all together against the heart of its SEC schedule, it could make a run to be one of the committee’s top two-loss teams.
If the playoff were today
Would be in: Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Texas A&M
On the cusp: Tennessee
Work to do: Missouri, Texas, Vanderbilt
Would be out: Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi State, South Carolina
Big Ten
Spotlight: USC. The Trojans have looked like a CFP top 25 team through the first half of the season, with their only loss a close one on the road to a ranked Illinois team. In Week 7, USC’s convincing 31-13 win against Michigan pushed it into more serious Big Ten contention. Ohio State and Indiana are the leaders, followed by Oregon, but USC has the fourth-best chance (7.1%) to reach the Big Ten title game, according to ESPN Analytics. That will change when the Trojans go to Oregon on Nov. 22, but they don’t play Ohio State or Indiana during the regular season. A win at Notre Dame on Saturday would be a significant boost to USC’s playoff résumé, while simultaneously knocking the Irish out of playoff contention. According to the Allstate Playoff Predictor, USC’s chances of reaching the playoff would adjust to 58% with a win against Notre Dame. According to ESPN Analytics, USC has less than a 50% chance to win its games against Notre Dame and Oregon.
Enigma: Washington. The Huskies have improved significantly and quickly under coach Jedd Fisch, who’s in his second season. Their only loss was to Ohio State, 24-6, on Sept. 27, but they lack a statement win that gives them real postseason credibility. Wins at Washington State and Maryland are certainly respectable, but bigger opportunities loom starting on Saturday at Michigan. This game has significant implications, because if the Huskies can win, they stand a strong chance of hosting Oregon as a one-loss team in the regular-season finale. According to ESPN Analytics, Michigan has a 67.6% chance to win on Saturday, and Oregon has a 70% chance to beat Washington on Nov. 29. The Huskies are projected to win every other game, though. A win against Michigan could increase their playoff hopes significantly.
If the playoff were today
Would be in: Indiana, Ohio State, Oregon
On the cusp: USC
Work to do: Nebraska, Washington
Would be out: Iowa, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Penn State, Purdue, Rutgers, UCLA, Wisconsin
ACC
Spotlight: Georgia Tech. Raise your hand if you had Georgia Tech at Duke on Saturday circled as a game that would impact the College Football Playoff. The Yellow Jackets would have been the next team to crack the latest CFP projection this week, and their chances of reaching the ACC championship game will skyrocket if they can win at Duke. Georgia Tech currently has the fourth-best chance to reach the ACC title game behind Miami, Duke and Virginia. ESPN Analytics gives the Blue Devils a 61.8% chance to win. The only other projected loss on the Jackets’ schedule is the regular-season finale against Georgia. Even if Georgia Tech reaches the ACC title game and loses, it could get in as a second ACC team with a win over Georgia.
Enigma: Virginia. The Hoos have won back-to-back overtime games against Florida State and Louisville, putting themselves in contention for a spot in the ACC championship. They host a tricky Washington State team on Saturday that just gave Ole Miss a few headaches, though, and need to avoid a second loss to an unranked team. The toughest game left on their schedule is Nov. 15 at Duke. Without an ACC title, Virginia is going to have a tough time impressing the committee with a schedule that includes a loss to unranked NC State and possibly no wins against ranked opponents. It didn’t help the Hoos that Florida State lost to an unranked Pitt, as the win against the Noles was the highlight of their season so far.
If the playoff were today
Would be in: Miami
On the cusp: Georgia Tech
Work to do: Virginia
Would be out: Boston College, Cal, Clemson, Duke, Florida State, Louisville, North Carolina, NC State, Pitt, SMU, Stanford, Syracuse, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest
Big 12
Spotlight: BYU. The Cougars needed a late-night double-overtime win at Arizona to stay undefeated and are on the path to face Texas Tech in the Big 12 championship game. The question is if they can stay undefeated until the Nov. 8 regular-season matchup against the Red Raiders. BYU has its second-most difficult remaining game on Saturday against rival Utah, which is also in contention for the Big 12 title. BYU has a slim edge with a 51% chance to win, which would be a critical cushion considering back-to-back road trips to Iowa State and Texas Tech await. The Big 12 has also gotten a boost from Cincinnati, which has a favorable remaining schedule and could be a surprise CFP top 25 team. If BYU stumbles over the next three weeks, a road win at a ranked Cincinnati team would help its résumé. Speaking of the Bearcats …
Enigma: Cincinnati. Is this team for real? The Bearcats have won five straight since their 20-17 season-opening loss to Nebraska, including three straight against Big 12 opponents Kansas, Iowa State and UCF. All three of those teams are .500 or better, and the selection committee will respect that as long as it holds. Cincinnati also has November opportunities against Utah and BYU, which could change the playoff picture in the Big 12. ESPN Analytics gives the Bearcats less than a 50% chance to beat Utah, BYU and TCU.
If the playoff were today
Would be in: Texas Tech
On the cusp: BYU
Work to do: Cincinnati, Houston, Utah
Would be out: Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, Colorado, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, TCU, UCF, West Virginia
Independent
Would be out: Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish have the best chance to win out of any team in the FBS, with a 49% chance to finish 10-2. According to the Allstate Playoff Predictor, Notre Dame would have a 50% chance to reach the CFP if it runs the table. That seems accurate, given the selection committee would compare Notre Dame against the other 10-2 contenders, and it’s a coin toss as to whether the room would agree that the Irish’s résumé and film make them worthy of an at-large bid. How Miami and Texas A&M fare will impact this — as will the head-to-head results if those teams don’t win their respective leagues and are also competing with the Irish for one of those at-large spots. It helps Notre Dame that opponents USC and Navy could finish as CFP top 25 teams if they continue to win. Undefeated Navy could also make a run at the Group of 5 playoff spot.
Group of 5
Spotlight: South Florida. South Florida. The Bulls are back on top after their convincing 63-36 win at previously undefeated North Texas, which just a week ago was listed here as a potential Group of 5 contender. Following the win, the Bulls’ chances of reaching the CFP increased by 20%, according to ESPN Analytics. South Florida’s lone loss was Sept. 13 at Miami, 49-12, which was a significant defeat against what could be the committee’s No. 1 team. Although that result showed the gap between the Bulls and one of the nation’s top teams, it certainly didn’t eliminate South Florida, which has one of the best overall résumés of the other contenders. With wins against Boise State, Florida and now at North Texas, this is a team that earned the edge in this week’s latest projection. Still, South Florida has the second-best chance of any Group of 5 school to reach the playoff (30%) behind Memphis (42%), according to ESPN Analytics.
Enigma: UNLV. Undefeated UNLV survived a scare from 1-5 Air Force on Saturday to stay undefeated and in contention for a playoff spot. UNLV and Boise State, both of the Mountain West Conference, are the only teams outside of the American Conference with at least a 5% chance to reach the playoff, and they play each other in a critical game on Saturday. UNLV has scored at least 30 points in each of its six games this season and is 6-0 for the first time since 1974, but it hasn’t always been pretty. UNLV scored the winning touchdown against Air Force with 36 seconds left and allowed the Falcons 603 total yards. The Rebels have the fourth-best chance to reach the playoff at 9% behind the American’s Memphis, South Florida and Tulane.
If the playoff were today
Would be in: South Florida
Work to do: Memphis, Navy, Tulane, UNLV
Bracket
Based on our weekly projection, the seeding would be:
First-round byes
No. 1 Ohio State (Big Ten champ)
No. 2 Miami (ACC champ)
No. 3 Indiana
No. 4 Texas A&M (SEC champ)
First-round games
On campus, Dec. 19 and 20
No. 12 South Florida (American champ) at No. 5 Alabama
No. 11 LSU at No. 6 Ole Miss
No. 10 Oklahoma at No. 7 Georgia
No. 9 Texas Tech (Big 12 champ) at No. 8 Oregon
Quarterfinal games
At the Goodyear Cotton Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, Rose Bowl Presented by Prudential and Allstate Sugar Bowl on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.
No. 12 South Florida/No. 5 Alabama winner vs. No. 4 Texas A&M
No. 11 LSU/No. 6 Ole Miss winner vs. No. 3 Indiana
No. 10 Oklahoma/No. 7 Georgia winner vs. No. 2 Miami
No. 9 Texas Tech/No. 8 Oregon winner vs. No. 1 Ohio State
The opener of the National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers had a little bit of everything.
So what can we expect in Game 2? We’ve got you covered with the top moments from today’s game, as well as takeaways after the final out.
Key links: How this NLCS could decide if baseball is played in 2027 | Bracket
Top moments
Follow pitch-by-pitch on Gamecast
Ohtani gets in on the fun with RBI single
Shohei Ohtani extends the Dodgers lead! #NLCS pic.twitter.com/yPksuiw557
— MLB (@MLB) October 15, 2025
Muncy’s drive adds to L.A.’s lead
Max Muncy got just enough #NLCS https://t.co/ayn3zqzIms pic.twitter.com/Bv02aaeIgv
— MLB (@MLB) October 15, 2025
Dodgers take their first lead of Game 2
Andy Pages drives in the second @Dodgers run of the inning! #NLCS pic.twitter.com/PcRzInEX5m
— MLB (@MLB) October 15, 2025
Teoscar answers with a blast of his own
GAME TWO TEO #NLCS pic.twitter.com/dEZyCDtXJp
— MLB (@MLB) October 15, 2025
Chourio gets Brewers on board first
JACKSON CHOURIO LEADOFF BLAST! #NLCS pic.twitter.com/gi7YrJHXpo
— MLB (@MLB) October 15, 2025
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