Dylan Edwards molding into versatile weapon for Kansas State

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Last Friday the sophomore running back showed the College Football world several ways that he can be explosive with the ball in his hands.

From carrying the pigskin, to catching passes out of the backfield, and even returning punts, Dylan Edwards’ versatility is something to watch. After all, he was a difference-maker in Kansas State’s 31-7 victory over Arizona, and raised everyone’s eyebrows with the biggest play of the evening.

The game was all tied up early in the second quarter, but with a blink of an eye Edwards returned a punt 71 yards to the house to give the Wildcats the lead. The sold out crowd at Bill Snyder Family Stadium went into a frenzy, and the momentum shifted to Kansas State’s side for the rest of the game.

“Right when I touched the ball with my hands, I tried to find the best crease I could, and circled everybody and used my speed right when I caught the ball,” Edwards said. “It was a great feeling knowing that I got to help my team out with another touchdown.”

The former four-star prospect has scored at least one touchdown in every game this season, including two in the opener against UT-Martin. Edwards believes he has the ability to score from anywhere on the field anytime he touches the ball. His blend of speed and quickness reminds fans of former Kansas State rusher Deuce Vaughn, who was in the stands cheering him on against Arizona.

Edwards, along with DJ Giddens in the backfield gives the Wildcats a dynamic duo at running back. Coach Chris Klieman got a glimpse of Edwards’ potential when he played at Colorado last year, and once he hit the transfer portal, Kansas State had to have him.

The five-foot-nine, 167-pounder also averaged 6.8 yards per carry against Arizona. Edwards came into the top-20 matchup with something to prove, and clearly took advantage of the spotlight. The work ethic he has going is rubbing off on his teammates too, and they put it to use throughout week three.

“Just don’t get comfortable, we knew they were going to come in and try to punch us in the mouth, but we kept going, and you guys saw how the outcome went,” he said.

After his stellar performance, Klieman and his staff are now looking to install more packages for Edwards, just to get him and Giddens on the field at the same time. Klieman wasn’t surprised one bit by Edwards’ electric punt return. As a matter of fact he anticipated that Edwards would break one.

“I said in the pregame meal, I think our punt return can get a touchdown today and they kicked it, and it was supposed to be a middle return, and we gave him [Dylan Edwards] the opportunity,” Klieman said. “If he feels he can get the edge, to take it, and he took the edge, and it was over, and it was fun to watch.”

Now Kansas State (3-0) is gearing up for a road trip to BYU, and Edwards is eager to get back to action. Edwards also earned the Big 12’s Special Teams Player of the Week for his heroics in the last game. Now he’s carrying that momentum into week four, with a pivotal road match looming.

“It felt great, but we got a whole lot of football to play and games to win, so I can’t wait for BYU next week.”