Kansas just made one of the splashiest late-cycle moves of the transfer portal season - and it’s one that’s sure to rattle the Sunflower Showdown.
Dylan Edwards, the electric former Kansas State running back and Derby native, is heading to Lawrence. Edwards announced the move on Instagram, flipping allegiances in a rare - but increasingly common - intra-rival transfer. He was spotted in town Friday night, taking in the KU men’s basketball game against Baylor during a visit that now looks like more than just a casual stop.
For the Jayhawks, this is more than just a headline-grabbing move. It’s a strategic addition that injects serious speed and versatility into a backfield already undergoing a transformation.
Edwards joins a revamped running back room that now includes Jalen Dupree from Colorado State and Yasin Willis from Syracuse. Together, they give KU a trio of backs with complementary skill sets - and Edwards, in particular, brings a dynamic element that’s hard to teach.
Edwards’ college journey has been anything but conventional. Before he ever took a snap, his recruitment turned heads. He originally committed to Kansas State as part of the 2023 class, flipped to Notre Dame a month later, and ultimately landed at Colorado, becoming one of the early marquee signings for Deion Sanders during his first cycle in Boulder.
He didn’t wait long to make an impact. In his collegiate debut - a nationally televised upset over TCU, the previous season’s national runner-up - Edwards exploded for 135 receiving yards and three touchdowns on just five catches, adding another score on the ground.
It was the kind of breakout performance that puts a player on the map instantly. By season’s end, he had racked up 321 rushing yards, 299 receiving yards, and even dabbled in track for the Buffaloes in the spring.
After that freshman campaign, Edwards made his way back to the Sunflower State, transferring to Kansas State. The 2024 season marked his most productive stretch yet.
He started in six of 12 games, ran for 546 yards, added 133 through the air, and found the end zone seven times. His 7.4 yards per carry led all Power Five backs with at least 70 carries - a stat that speaks volumes about his explosiveness.
Add in a punt return touchdown and work as both a kick and punt returner, and it’s clear: Edwards is a threat every time he touches the ball.
Unfortunately, his 2025 season was derailed early. An ankle injury in the season opener against Iowa State sidelined him before he could even log a carry.
He returned for three more games, including a standout performance against UCF where he rushed 20 times for 166 yards and a score, but the Wildcats ultimately shut him down in early November. He redshirted the year, preserving two seasons of eligibility - which he’ll now use in crimson and blue.
This move doesn’t just shake up KU’s depth chart; it adds a whole new layer of drama to the Sunflower Showdown. The Jayhawks haven’t beaten Kansas State in 17 seasons, but with Edwards now on their side, the stakes - and emotions - just got a little higher.
The date for this year’s rivalry game hasn’t been announced yet, but it’ll take place in Manhattan at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. And when it does, all eyes will be on the former Wildcat now wearing Jayhawk blue.