Dylan Edwards can prove he is Kansas State’s running back of the future at Rate Bowl
No one is looking forward to the Rate Bowl more than Dylan Edwards.
Even though a Boxing Day football clash between Kansas State and Rutgers in downtown Phoenix may not be the most important game on the postseason schedule, it is loaded with meaning for the sophomore running back.
This is his opportunity to prove he is the future of Kansas State’s backfield.
Now that workhorse runner DJ Giddens is off to the NFL, all eyes are on Edwards to step up and showcase the skills that made him a four-star prospect coming out of Derby.
“I just want to be an all-around playmaker for this team,” Edwards said, “and try to be the best teammate I can be for each and every one of those guys in the locker room. I want to do my job and have it carry over to other people, so hopefully it happens.”
Edwards doesn’t usually show much emotion when he speaks with reporters, but his face lit up when he was asked about the possibility of getting more carries at the Rate Bowl.
K-State used Edwards plenty during the regular season, as he piled up 360 yards and three touchdowns as a runner to go along with 106 yards and a touchdown as a wide receiver. But he only touched the ball 73 times, while Giddens saw 205 carries as the team’s starting running back.
Giddens understandably hogged the ball on his way to 1,601 total yards and eight touchdowns. But fans have clamored for Edwards to be more involved.
It sounds like K-State football coach Chris Klieman agreed with them, at time.
“I’m excited to see what we’re going to do offensively,” Klieman said. “(Edwards) is so versatile. He can line up as a single back by himself, he can line up in a two-back set. He can flex out and and be a receiver. He can take jet sweeps. He can run really good routes. That’s all important for us.”
Edwards is known mostly for his speed and his ability to make defenders miss on the perimeter. But he can also run between the tackles, even though he is only 5-foot-9 and 167 pounds.
He didn’t get many chances to be an every down running back this season. Edwards seems fine with that. He says it was a dream come true to simply wear purple this season and play for a team in his home state. But it could be his time to shine without Giddens, though he will have to share some carries with Joe Jackson.
“He can pretty much do it all,” K-State offensive lineman Taylor Poitier said. “He can beat most corners when it comes to deep balls and certain routes. He’s a really elusive back, so it’s really cool to see him get this chance. I’m really excited for him and want to see what he does in this game.”
Last year, K-State fans got a sneak peek at their QB of the future when Avery Johnson took over for Will Howard at the Pop-Tarts Bowl. Johnson was named MVP of the game after he led the Wildcats to a win over North Carolina State by throwing for 178 yards and two touchdowns.
Edwards watched every play of that game while he was a member of the Colorado football team. He is eager to follow a similar path at the Rate Bowl.
“This is my first bowl game,” Edwards said. “I didn’t get the luxury of playing in one last year. Being at home and seeing everybody play, it definitely put a chip on my shoulder for this year. Now that I’m in a bowl game, I’m going to take full advantage of it.”
This story was originally published December 23, 2024 at 11:10 AM with the headline "Dylan Edwards can prove he is Kansas State’s running back of the future at Rate Bowl."