‘It’s a sight to see’: Dylan Edwards living up to high expectations at K-State camp

For months, Kansas State football coaches have expressed quiet optimism about what Dylan Edwards will be able to accomplish for the Wildcats this season.

Chris Klieman has called him a “home run threat” and offensive coordinator Conor Riley has said he brings something to the backfield that “we haven’t had before.”

What exactly do those phrases mean?

K-State running backs coach Brian Anderson is here to set the record straight. When it comes to Edwards, there is one thing that separates him from most other playmakers.

“His overall speed,” Anderson said. “Deuce Vaughn could run, run. But this kid can run, run, run. It is pretty special to see him when he gets in the open field, how he pulls away from people and how he gains ground on people. It’s a sight to see.”

That you won’t hear higher praise than that for Edwards, a Derby product who began his college football career at Colorado and joined K-State as a transfer during the offseason.

Every K-State running back wants to be compared to Vaughn.

There is no greater compliment that a player at that position can receive with the Wildcats. Vaughn rushed for 4,884 yards and 43 touchdowns during his three seasons in purple and then left for the NFL after he helped K-State win a Big 12 championship in 2022.

His college football career was so spectacular that his name is now cemented as one of the school’s all-time best running backs alongside Darren Sproles.

If Edwards is truly faster than Vaughn ... watch out.

“Once we get him to the point where he’s very comfortable doing the things we want him to do,” Anderson said, “I think this sky is the limit for the kid.”

Adjusting to a new offense might be the biggest challenge that Edwards will face during his first season in Manhattan.

It is clear that he has brought speed and talent to the offense. There have been times during training camp when he burst through the line of scrimmage so quickly that it seemed like he was shot out of a cannon. He is also capable of catching the ball out of the backfield and hurting defenses as a receiver.

Some are curious how the Wildcats will use him alongside starting running back DJ Giddens.

Based on the way he played during training camp, it sounds like fans can expect the same thing they once saw from Vaughn.

“It’s not real curious and it’s not real hard either,” K-State co-offensive coordinator Matt Wells said. “He fits in everywhere. It’s been fun. He’s not hard to game plan for. You can move him around and he can do a lot of stuff with the ball in his hands, whether it’s in the return game on special teams or he’s a very natural receiver. He’s got great hands, and he’s a high football IQ guy. He will be a fun one to coach.”