‘One that he wants a lot’: Dylan Edwards motivated for Colorado reunion with K-State
Dylan Edwards could be a popular conversation starter for ESPN commentators when Kansas State takes on Colorado.
Did you know Edwards played for the Buffaloes last season, or that he amassed 620 yards and five touchdowns while he played for Deion Sanders as a freshman?
His connection to Colorado, and his return to Folsom Field on Saturday night as a running back for Kansas State, could bring extra attention his way this weekend. Much like Taylor Swift at a Kansas City Chiefs game or Snoop Dogg at the Olympics, a college football player returning to his old stomping grounds with a new team demands to be mentioned.
This game could also hold special meaning for Edwards.
“This is probably one that he wants a lot,” K-State quarterback Avery Johnson said, “because whenever you play against an old school you definitely want to have your best game and be able to contribute to the win.”
Edwards hasn’t spoken much about his time at Colorado since he chose to transfer away from the Buffs and enroll at K-State. Perhaps that is by design.
Colorado has bid farewell to many transfers since Coach Prime arrived two years ago and turned the football program into must-see TV, regardless of how good or bad the team looks on any given weekend.
But there doesn’t seem to be animosity between Edwards and his former team.
“I never would knock a player for transferring, if he feels like that’s best for him,” Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders said at Big 12 Media Days in July. “That’s my guy at the end of the day, regardless of anything. So if that was the best decision for him, that’s great for him.”
Deion Sanders echoed those thoughts at his weekly news conference in Boulder, saying that he wants Edwards to perform well whenever he isn’t playing against the Buffs.
“I love the young man, I really do,” he said. “Everybody who leaves here in the right manner — as well as just leaves, period — I want them to be successful. I have never wished wrongful or bad things on any young man or woman in my life. I want you to be successful and I want you to find your purpose.”
He went on to say that he appreciated Edwards for not speaking poorly of Colorado after his departure.
“If you find you purpose and you understand what it is you won’t hate on me,” he said. “You won’t hate on your neighbor, your friend or your family member. Dylan made a tremendous choice for he and his family. I support that 100% ... We had some great moments and he is going to have many more great moments and I’m proud of him.”
Johnson suspects that Edwards will be motivated to play well against his former team, but he’s not treating this like a revenge game.
“I don’t think he looks at it that way,” Johnson said. “I think he looks at it just like any other week. He doesn’t want to let the game get to him too much. He just wants to go out there and play his game and do what he does best, which is get him the ball and let him be explosive with it.”
Edwards got off to a hot start with Colorado. But his usage declined as his freshman season went on.
After spring practice came to an end, Edwards decided to return to his home state and reunite with Johnson, who happens to be one of his oldest friends.
Edwards has done a little bit of everything during his brief time with the Wildcats. He has scored touchdowns as a runner, as a receiver and as a punt returner. He has gained 389 all-purpose yards and scored 24 points, a number that ranks second on the team behind only kicker Chris Tennant.
He can prove how much he has grown as a player to friends new and old this weekend.
“He’s excited about the opportunity,” K-State coach Chris Klieman said. “I know he was excited about his time there. He has a ton of friends there. A lot of those teammates were his brothers, and that’s what college football is right now.
“Coaches do that as well as players, and so it’s always probably a little bit more special when you have a relationship with a previous school, whether you’re a player or a coach. But once that game starts it’s between the white lines.
“You’ve got to beat your opponent, just like you do in practice. So I’m excited for him. He’s playing really well. He’s healthy, he’s fresh and we’ve got to find ways to utilize him.”
This story was originally published October 8, 2024 at 6:00 AM with the headline "‘One that he wants a lot’: Dylan Edwards motivated for Colorado reunion with K-State."