Fueled by Failure: Dylan Edwards Aims for a Breakout Season at K-State
By most measures, Dylan Edwards’ first season at Kansas State was a success. He piled up 679 total yards, found the end zone seven times, and capped it off with MVP honors at the Rate Bowl. But don’t tell him that.
The Derby native isn’t impressed. In fact, he calls last year a personal failure. Asked what he did best as a sophomore, Edwards has a one-word answer: “Nothing.”
“I failed last year,” Edwards admitted. “In what I wanted to do as a player. As a team, we won a lot of games. But as a player, I feel like I failed myself. So this year, I’m trying to get back to how happy I can be.
Many would argue that’s too harsh. Playing behind star running back DJ Giddens — who racked up 1,601 yards and eight touchdowns — Edwards still averaged 7.4 yards per carry and gave the Wildcats a spark whenever he touched the ball.
Still, Edwards’ standards are sky-high.
“I just feel like I could have been a better overall player and teammate last year,” he said. “This year, I’m just trying to push forward.”
So what does success look like to him in 2025? More yards than Deuce Vaughn or Giddens? All-conference honors? Something else?
Offensive coordinator Matt Wells has his own vision:
“A lot of rushing yards, some dynamic catches, and hopefully a punt return or two for a score so we don’t even have to play on offense,” Wells said with a grin. “He’s electric. Every time the ball’s in his hands, you’ve got a chance to put up one finger for the extra point. He can hit a home run. I see him in space, I see him between the tackles, I see him at receiver and running back. He’s a talented kid.”
Quarterback Avery Johnson also believes Edwards is ready to break out. Johnson recalls moments last season when the game felt too fast for the transfer from Colorado. With only a few months to learn K-State’s playbook, he was constantly playing catch-up. Now, after a full season, spring camp, and another preseason, that’s no longer the case.
“The amount of information he had to learn definitely wasn’t easy,” Johnson said. “But now he’s a lot more free, a lot more comfortable. He can just go out there and do his thing.
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Dylan Edwards, Kansas State Wildcats, K-State running back, Big 12 football, Rate Bowl MVP, DJ Giddens, Deuce Vaughn, 2025 college football season, Kansas State football fans, Kansas State offensive coordinator Matt Wells, Wildcats quarterback Avery Johnson, Colorado transfer
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