Dylan Edwards came to K-State with something to prove. Here’s how he’s settling in
The first day of Kansas State training camp was loaded with extra meaning for Dylan Edwards.
Unlike the vast majority of his teammates, who rolled into the Wildcats’ football practice facility earlier this summer as if they had been there hundreds of times before, it was a surreal moment for the talented running back from Derby.
Wearing a purple jersey made him feel as if his college football journey was coming full circle. Remember, before Edwards committed to Notre Dame and spent his freshman season at Colorado he originally intended to play at K-State. He even held a gigantic celebration at his high school and vowed to follow in the footsteps of EMAW greats Darren Sproles and Deuce Vaughn.
He ended up carrying the ball for Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes, but after one season he wanted a change. He knew exactly where to look. The transfer portal granted him a second chance to play for the Wildcats. He doesn’t want to waste it.
“It was a blessing coming in here,” Edwards said, “and having all the excitement in the world going into practice. It’s been great. I am trying to get used to it every day, and I’m trying to have fun.”
The Wildcats are happy to have Edwards in their backfield, even if it is happening a year later than originally planned.
At Colorado, Edwards rushed for 321 yards and a touchdown on 76 carries. But he was also dangerous as a receiver, as he caught 36 passes for 299 yards and four scores.
K-State quarterback Avery Johnson, who grew up in Maize and considers Edwards one of his oldest friends, watched Edwards from afar as he made big plays at Colorado. Then he recruited him hard when he entered the transfer portal.
“When we played against each other in high school we knew exactly what that other person was going to do that game,” Johnson said. “We knew they were going go off. It was just who is going to get the ball last. So being able to have that explosiveness on my team and not have to compete against it is definitely something that I was looking forward to.”
K-State offensive linemen are also excited to block for Edwards.
“His lateral quickness is insane,” K-State senior Taylor Poitier said. “Sometimes when you get him the ball you’re like, ‘Shoot, he’s going to go for six right there.’ So it’s really cool having him here. He’s a really good dude and he brings a lot of energy.”
Head coach Chris Klieman likes to call Edwards a “home-run threat” and has vowed to get him the ball in creative ways this season.
How creative? That remains to be seen. But the Wildcats are prepared to use him between the tackles as a runner, on the perimeter as a receiver and on special teams as a punt/kick returner. Anything seems possible for him in K-State’s crowded backfield.
“The versatility that he brings to our offense is is clearly dynamic,” K-State offensive coordinator Conor Riley said. “He’s shown that skill set. We have challenged him and we have put a lot on his plate.”
For now, Edwards seems willing to do whatever is asked of him.
He didn’t transfer to K-State to improve his statistics. He came here to play with Johnson and showcase his skills in his home state, just like he originally planned as a high school recruit.
“I definitely want to prove that I’m a complete player, not just a back,” Edwards said. “I want to be as versatile as possible just to show defenses I can do more than one thing.”