Monday afternoon saw a flurry of news come from the Kansas football program.
For one, the Jayhawks added two new players in running back Chase Belcher and defensive tackle Clifton Thompson, while also ruling out the likes of running back Yasin Willis for the rest of the season.
Willis’ injury is a massive hit to a team that needed anything but more injuries. Willis’ potential season-ending injury means Kansas’ running back room is depleted beyond belief. Fans can feel fully confident in only two players: Dylan Edwards and Jalen Dupree.
And even Dupree was injured heading into the Union Jack Classic loss, as he didn't even get a snap.
Edwards’ role has a new outlook
Heading into this season, Edwards and Willis were far and away the team’s two top running backs. Edwards was supposed to provide the open-field speed that could challenge any player down the sideline. Willis was the more north and south threat who could be able to bully anyone on the field.
As of publishing, the two were only separated by three total carries and just 34 yards, creating a balanced rushing attack.
However, now, without Willis, the expectation lies on Edwards’ shoulders. Something head coach Lance Leipold spoke about during his packed press conference.
“I think Dylan really embraces that. He wants the touches. He wants to see opportunities. Now, what are those touches look like and how we're gonna do that? That can be a lot of different ways as we know.”
So far this season, Edwards has notched 159 yards across 30 carries for an average of 5.3 yards per carry and a long of 24 yards.
Edwards has also turned himself into a massive threat in the receiving game. The Kansas State transfer has already churned out 9 receptions for 68 yards for 7.6 yards per catch.
“But, again, giving him a position where he's gonna play more snaps, and be willing to play that, and with nine straight coming up, that's gonna be something that I'm sure it's gonna be a challenge, and we're gonna have to be smart on total reps.”
The Jayhawks can consider themselves unfortunate to have played the Union Jack Classic to be played in week three. Doing so essentially forced their bye week to come a week later. That decision leaves Kansas to play nine consecutive weeks to end the season.
“You know, again, I don't like using load management, but there's probably something to that. We might, you know, we'll look at how much we continue to be using the kick return, things like that. But Dylan's gonna have a big role in this program, just like we thought he would from the day he arrived.”
Edwards has totaled 38 yards via the return game this season, on just two returns.
The bottom line is that Edwards suddenly becomes the most important player of this offense. Andy Kotelnicki’s offense thrives off a stellar run game and he is likely their last hope of keeping that up.
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