How Kansas State football coaches won heated recruiting battle for running back Dylan Edwards

DERBY — Dylan Edwards had been to Manhattan and the Kansas State campus numerous times before during his recruiting process.

But last Friday, when he and his family left Wichita for his official visit, something just seemed different.

 "We were about to get in the car to go to Manhattan and I told my mom, I was like, 'Something about this visit, I just feel so excited to go,' " Edwards, the standout running back from Derby, recalled Thursday during a ceremony at his high school to announce his commitment to the Wildcats. "In the car, music was feeling different. Everything was feeling different.

"I felt like, wow, it's time. And right when I went there, I was like, this is where I want to be."

Still, it wasn't until Sunday that he informed first K-State offensive coordinator Collin Klein and then head coach Chris Klieman that it was a done deal. Edwards had over 20 offers and took official visits to Nebraska and Oklahoma, but the Wildcats' persistence finally won out.

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K-State persistent and loyal on recruiting trail

"Loyalty was a big thing, and the coaches showed loyalty the whole time, so I think that's why I chose K-State," Edwards said. "You see how loyal they were. They came here the most out of any school, (and) they talked to me every day.

"There was not a day that went by. On Christmas, they called me in the morning and said, 'Merry Christmas.' You just don't get that anywhere else. I was crystal-balled (predicted as signing elsewhere) two different places before K-State and they didn't care. They were coming for me the whole time and that shows loyalty for real."

Now that he's in the fold, Edwards said he is in recruiting mode, hoping to convince other top prospects from the state of Kansas. No. 1 on his list is Maize quarterback and good friend Avery Johnson, another priority target for the Wildcats.

"Avery Johnson, I'm coming," Edwards said with a smile, pointing to Johnson, who was on hand for the ceremony. "I'm going to get Avery. Hopefully we can flip a couple.

"It doesn't matter to me. I want to play with my friends and we're going to have the best recruiting class that Kansas State has ever had."

Johnson, who took visits to Washington and Oregon in addition to K-State, said Thursday that he will announce his intentions on July 5. While Edwards remained tight-lipped about his decision, Johnson was one person he confided in.

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K-State is recruiting Avery Johnson as quarterback

"About 20 minutes before this, Avery called me and I told him, because you know Avery," Edwards said, again with a grin. "I told him over the phone, and that's who I want to be my quarterback. Hopefully we can make it happen."

The Edwards family already has a K-State legacy in Dylan's father Leon, who played for hall of fame Wildcat coach Bill Snyder in the 1990s. But Dylan insisted that the final call was his alone, even though he did commit on Father's Day.

"My dad didn’t care where I went. My family didn't care where I went," Edwards said. "This was my decision.

"We did not talk about it before I went to K-State. I committed on my own and it was my decision."

Still, Leon Edwards couldn't contain his excitement.

"It was a difficult road with making a decision because Dylan is a very loyal person and he takes those relationships to heart, which he should," the elder Edwards said. "But this is what we wanted from the beginning.

"We've got pictures of him from when he was a baby in KSU gear, so it's in his DNA. So let's go, baby."

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'I'm going to have my own legacy'

Now that he's a Wildcat, Dylan Edwards was asked if the success of other K-State running backs, specifically All-Americans Darren Sproles and Deuce Vaughn, influenced him.

"No, it didn't. I know wherever I go, I want to be my own player," Edwards said. "I'm going to have my own legacy. I don't want to be like nobody else.

"I want to be like Dylan Edwards, so that's what I'm doing, and I'm going to carry that to K-State."

That said, Vaughn showed during a breakout sophomore season in 2021 what might be in store for Edwards, who at 5-foot-9, 165-pounds has heard the comparisons.

"You see what they do with Deuce Vaughn," Edwards said. "He's an all-purpose back (and) I'm one too. I'm going to do punt and kickoff returns, so I'm just going to be an overall weapon, just like I am here at Derby High School."

Edwards already was high on K-State's priority list before the 2021 season, when he helped lead Derby to the Class 6A state championship game by rushing for 2,603 yards and 38 touchdowns.

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Derby coach predicts bright future at K-State

Derby coach Brandon Clark, another former K-State player, said he sees more of the same in Edwards' future. The promotion of Klein from quarterback coach to coordinator, after directing the Wildcat offense in a Texas Bowl victory over LSU, only solidified that belief.

"You saw what they did in the bowl game," Clark said. "Collin told me, 'Make sure Dylan watches the bowl game.'

"He was excited to exploit Deuce out at wide receiver, or a motion guy, a shift guy (and) running back also. That's what Dylan said to me, 'Did you see what they did?'

"He got pretty excited about that."

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So how good can Edwards be as a college back?

"Great. One of the best," Clark said. "He's hungry, he's a competitor, hates to lose. He loves to work out, he loves to get better and (is) a very smart kid.

"He's going to be one of the fastest guys on the field every game he plays, even in college. After his sophomore year, he was way better his junior year and I guarantee you he's going to be better this year."

Edwards is on track to graduate from Derby in December and head to K-State for the 2023 spring semester. But in the meantime, he is going to make the most of his time as a Panther.

"I'm going to hang out with my friends," he said. "I don't have any more visits. Just hang out with them and have fun."