Can Dylan Edwards Be K-State's RB1 With DJ Giddens Departing?

Chris Klieman raved about what the sophomore running back can bring to the position.
Oct 19, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Kansas State Wildcats running back Dylan Edwards (3) returns a punt during the third quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images
Oct 19, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Kansas State Wildcats running back Dylan Edwards (3) returns a punt during the third quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images / Ben Queen-Imagn Images

Kansas State star DJ Giddens will forego his senior season after declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft.

Is it time for Dylan Edwards to take over the position? Wildcats coach Chris Klieman believes so. When asked about what Edwards can do as a premiere back, Klieman raved about the diversity he brings to the position.

“He’s so versatile," Klieman said. "He can line up as a single back by himself. He can line up in a two-back set, flex out and be a receiver, or take jet sweeps. He can run really good routes. That’s what’s important for us.”

Edwards had 56 carries for 350 yards and three touchdowns last season, along with 17 receptions for 156 yards and a receiving touchdown. He transferred from Colorado after totaling over 600 total yards and five touchdowns his freshman year.

Edwards has big shoes to fill as Giddens exits as one of the top rushers in school history. Nevertheless, Klieman is excited for him and Joe Jackson to get acclimated and start producing as the likely running back duo next year. Klieman says this begins with the Rate Bowl against Rutgers.

“I’m excited for those guys,” Klieman said. “It’s their chance to get established. We know a lot of the things that Dylan can do and we’re excited to be able to showcase a lot of those things for him. And then with Joe, we’ve seen some really good glimpses of him in the early part of the season."

Jayden Armant is a graduate of the Howard University School of Communications and a contributor to Kansas State Wildcats on SI. He can be reached at jaydenshome14@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.


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Jayden Armant
JAYDEN ARMANT

Jayden is a journalism school graduate of Howard University. He was the 2024 recipient of the Terez Paylor scholarship award. He previously worked at the Orlando Sentinel.