Lance Leipold and the Kansas Jayhawks are eyeing a potential game-changer in the transfer portal - and it’s one that could send ripples through the Sunflower Showdown. According to multiple reports, Kansas is actively pursuing former Kansas State and Colorado running back Dylan Edwards. Not only would this be a bold in-state move, but it could also give the Jayhawks a major boost in the backfield heading into the 2026 season.
As of Thursday, Edwards remains unsigned and uncommitted, making him one of the top running backs still available in the portal. He’s currently ranked No. 10 among transfer running backs and is one of just two in the top 10 - alongside Michigan State’s Makhi Frazier - who haven’t yet found a new home.
Edwards’ camp has confirmed that Kansas is among the schools expressing interest, and while he’s drawing attention from multiple programs, he’s still weighing his options. For Leipold and the Jayhawks, the timing couldn’t be better.
A Familiar Face, A Fresh Opportunity
Edwards’ journey has been anything but linear. The Derby, Kansas native entered the portal back on November 7 after a season cut short by injury.
He appeared in just four games due to an ankle issue suffered in Week 0 against Iowa State. Before shutting things down and taking a medical redshirt, he managed 205 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 34 carries - flashes of the explosiveness that made him one of the state’s most electric high school players.
With two years of eligibility remaining, Edwards brings both upside and experience - a combination Kansas could use as it retools its offense. The Jayhawks recently made a splash by bringing back former offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki as assistant head coach. That move signals a renewed focus on offensive identity, and adding a dynamic runner like Edwards would fit right into that vision.
From Derby to the Portal - and Possibly Back Home
Edwards’ recruitment has already seen its fair share of twists. Coming out of Derby High School, where he racked up over 6,400 rushing yards and a staggering 95 touchdowns, he was courted heavily by both Kansas and Kansas State. He initially committed to the Wildcats before flipping to Colorado during Deion Sanders’ first season in Boulder - a move that made headlines at the time.
During his two seasons split between Colorado and Kansas State, Edwards totaled 867 rushing yards and six touchdowns. While those numbers don’t leap off the page, they came in limited opportunities, and his speed and shiftiness remain undeniable assets.
Now, with Kansas looking to deepen its running back room, Edwards could be the final piece to a revamped ground game. The Jayhawks have already added two transfer backs this cycle: Yasin Willis from Syracuse and Jalen Dupree from Colorado State.
Both were starters at their previous stops and bring a combined 2,421 rushing yards into the fold. Edwards would add another layer of explosiveness - and a little in-state intrigue.
Fueling the Rivalry
If Leipold and his staff can land Edwards, it would add a dramatic twist to one of college football’s most lopsided rivalries in recent memory. Kansas hasn’t beaten Kansas State since 2009, dropping 17 straight to the Wildcats - including all five meetings under Leipold.
With former K-State offensive coordinator Collin Klein now taking over as head coach in Manhattan, the stakes are only rising. Adding a former Wildcat like Edwards to the Jayhawks’ roster ahead of Klein’s debut would be more than just a personnel move - it would be a statement.
For now, Edwards continues to evaluate his options. But if he ends up in Lawrence, expect the Sunflower Showdown to get a lot more interesting - and Kansas’ run game to get a whole lot faster.