If Iowa fans can’t spell “Llewellyn” yet, they will by midseason. Chances are, they’ll be yelling it from their seats at Kinnick Stadium as EDGE Max Llewellyn barrels into another Big Ten quarterback.
At 6’5″ and 258 pounds, Llewellyn doesn’t just look the part of the Iowa Hawkeyes’ next great EDGE rusher—he’s already acting like it. After quietly terrorizing offensive lines in a rotational role last season, Llewellyn is set to take center stage in 2025 as the anchor of the team’s reloading defensive front.
Why EDGE Max Llewellyn Will Be A Difference-Maker for the Iowa Hawkeyes
If fans thought the Hawkeyes’ defense was already stingy in 2024, get ready. With senior EDGE Max Llewellyn unleashed, it might become downright cruel.
Iowa, a program known for building bullies in the trenches, is especially known for its production of future NFL defensive linemen. With veterans Joe Evans (now with the Baltimore Ravens) and Logan Lee (drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the sixth round) moving on to the NFL, the time has come for a new face to emerge as the tone-setter.
Enter Llewellyn—a redshirt senior who’s been waiting, learning, growing, and, most importantly, producing.
Iowa pass rusher Max Llewellyn has the explosiveness to threaten the edge and a lethal spin to counter off that
6’5 258 lbs with 6 sacks and a 25.9 pass rush win rate in 2024 on only 203 pass rush snaps. Excited to see him an expanded role in 2025 pic.twitter.com/kRQo6F6p4p
— Chicago Football Connection (@CFCBears) May 10, 2025
In 2024, while playing behind more seasoned names, Llewellyn still appeared in all 13 games. He notched 22 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks. Those numbers are solid, but the real eyebrow-raiser? A 17.9% pressure rate, ranking 12th nationally among all FBS defenders with over 200 pass-rushing snaps.
Let’s break that down: nearly one in five times Llewellyn rushed the passer, he got into the quarterback’s face. That’s elite territory. We’re talking “you better slide the protection his way” kind of pressure.
For those familiar with Iowa football, they know that defensive coordinator Phil Parker has built a dynasty of disciplined chaos. His defenses don’t just tackle—they smother. They don’t just blitz—they diagnose, disguise, and detonate. And in this scheme, EDGE players shine.
Think back: Adrian Clayborn, A.J. Epenesa, Anthony Nelson, and Lukas Van Ness. They all carved their paths to the NFL from Iowa’s edge. Parker’s system grooms linemen to play technically sound football, dissect blocking schemes, and win with both brains and brawn. Max Llewellyn should be the next in line.
What Makes Max Llewellyn Different?
The Hawkeyes love players who can line up anywhere and cause problems. Llewellyn fits that mold perfectly. In 2024, he split his time between a traditional hand-in-the-dirt defensive end and a stand-up outside linebacker role. That kind of positional flexibility gives Iowa options and gives opposing offenses headaches.
At 6’5″, he’s got the wingspan to swat down passes and keep tackles at bay. At 258 pounds, he packs enough power to collapse the pocket and set the edge against the run. But he’s not just brute force. His arsenal includes a slick inside counter, a developing spin move, and the kind of hand fighting that would make a martial arts coach smile.
His coaches praise his improved footwork, pre-snap reads, and relentless motor. That’s a sign of a player ready to take the leap from solid contributor to star.
With Evans and Lee gone, Llewellyn is no longer a supporting actor; he’s the lead. Iowa will count on him to not only produce sacks but also to draw attention, set the edge, and lead a young defensive line still finding its identity.
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This isn’t some sudden rise. Llewellyn has been grinding for years in the Hawkeyes’ weight room, learning behind pros, and steadily building his resume. Now, he steps into the spotlight with the benefit of experience, scheme familiarity, and a chip on his shoulder.
And don’t be surprised if NFL scouts call sooner rather than later. With his size, strength, flexibility, and production, he checks every box for the modern EDGE prototype.
Watch him play, and you’ll see passion in every snap. Watch him speak, and you’ll hear humility and hunger. He talks about team success before individual stats, and he credits his coaches, teammates, and family before himself. He’s easy to root for—and harder to block.
Max Llewellyn might not be a household name yet, but that might change when the 2025 season begins.
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