Ex-Kansas State RB Dylan Edwards Comes Full Circle For Sunflower Showdown

Kansas Jayhawks running back Dylan Edwards has certainly made the most of the addition of the NCAA transfer portal. 

He's now playing for his third team. On Saturday, he get to face his former team on the biggest stage. Edwards will face the Kansas State Wildcats at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Last year Edward was the early-season starter before deciding to hit the portal again. 

Wildcats coach Collin Klein, who got to know Edwards in high school during the recruiting process, is a fan. But just not this week. He wants the best for Edwards in any other game this season except this one. 

"Well, I truly wish Dylan well and nothing but the best for him and every young man that has come through this program,' Klein said during his weekly press conference. It's about the people. It's about taking care of people. It's about respecting people. I wish him the absolute best. Anybody on the opposite sideline is not a dear friend for three and a half hours, and that's anybody on any sideline."

Edwards' talent has taken him all over the Big 12 conference. He starred at Derby (Kan.) High School, which is near where K-State quarterback Avery Johnson played at Maize High School in the Wichita area. 

Obviously, they were good friends. 

But when it came to choosing a college, they both went their separate ways. Edwards chose to play for Deion Sanders with the Colorado Buffaloes. All signs Edwards was headed toward a solid career with the Buffaloes. As a freshman, he combined for 620 rushing and receiving yards. 

Despite the success, he decided to enter the portal for the first time. Choosing to play for Kansas State was a chance for him to reunite with Johnson. And, once again, things started well. 

In 2024, Edwards had 74 carries for 546 yards and five touchdowns while playing as the backup to DJ Giddens, who is now with the Indianapolis Colts. He also had 19 catches for 133 yards and two scores. The Wildcats also used him as a returner on special teams. 

Last year was supposedly Edwards' time to finally shine. He entered the preseason as the No. 1 running back. A few games into the season, he lost the job to Joe Jackson, who went on to earn All-Big 12 honorable mention honors. 

That left Edwards searching for a new home again. Once the portal opened, he headed to Lawrence to see if he could have an impact with the Jayhawks. 

So far, he has 59 carries for 318 yards and three touchdowns. He is on pace to set career-highs across the board but it's probably not the prodcution he or the Jayhawks expected. 

Perhaps Saturday is his chance to finally live up to the hype.