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Dylan Edwards will play “a lot more” WR for Colorado Football in 2024

Dylan Edwards feels like he can do anything.

The Colorado running back not only led the Buffaloes in rushing yards (321) as a true freshman last season, but also ranked fourth on the team in both receiving yards (36) and receiving yards (299). Edwards had at least three catches in nine games, including the season opener against TCU when the dual threat torched the Horned Frogs for 135 receiving yards and three touchdowns on five receptions.

With Pat Shurmur now Colorado's full-time offensive coordinator, expect Edwards to be even more involved in the passing game this fall.

“It’s crazy because I’m playing a lot more receiver this year,” Edwards said after spring practice on Tuesday. “I'm more dynamic in our offense, it's not just about running back. I'm in the running back room, but I don't see myself as a running back or a receiver. I’m just a complete threat to the defense.”

“I feel like I can split off, I can make moves, I can do anything. Having Coach Shurmur calling the plays and giving me the opportunity is something I need and have been waiting for.”

Shurmur has plenty of experience playing pass-catching running backs at the NFL level and Edwards could be his newest muse.

In 2017, when Shurmur was the offensive coordinator of the 13-3 Minnesota Vikings, running back Jerick McKinnon (who, like Edwards, is 5-foot-10) caught 51 passes for 421 yards and was the fourth-most passer (68). – Catcher in the team.

When Shurmur took over as head coach of the New York Giants the following year, rookie Saquon Barkley was having the best season of his six-year NFL career: 91 catches for 721 yards and four touchdowns (121 scores).

Even during Shurmur's final season as the Denver Broncos' offensive coordinator in 2021, running backs Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon III combined to catch 71 passes for 529 yards and five scores (91 combined scores).

Using Edwards in the passing game should lead to favorable mismatches with opposing linebackers and safeties. Now that he has a season of college football under his belt, the all-around threat is also making progress in the mental part of the game.

“Dylan has a different approach this year,” Colorado running backs coach Gary Harrell said after practice Tuesday. “You can tell he's more focused, he knows what role he's going to play and we're going to rely heavily on him to be very explosive.”

“He’s learning the game well. Dylan is very talented, but he came into this year with the mindset of really understanding his job and what he needs to get done.”

Perhaps another reason Edwards is taking on more of a Swiss Army Knife role is the emergence of rookie Micah Welch.

The 5-foot-7, 200-pound RB immediately made an impact in Boulder after arriving on campus as a freshman in January. Welch, a former three-star recruit, rushed for 3,759 yards and 47 touchdowns over his high school career.

After a slow start to spring ball, Welch is impressing the Buffs' coaching staff, according to Harrell.

“It’s nice to see young Micah Welch come in and do some of the things he does,” Harrell said. “He started slowly because he was trying to adjust to college football as far as information and the overload that was put on him. But now he’s starting to build confidence and make plays.”

“He’s the guy we thought would be downhill and aggressive looking for the end zone. He’s learning the offense really well.”

After watching Edwards shine right away as a true freshman last season, Welch believes he can have a similar impact early on.

“It makes me feel great knowing I can do the same thing Dylan did and work together as a team,” Welch said after practice Tuesday. “We have great running backs and I know I can contribute to the team.”

“During practice, I try to show that I can do everything: be skilled, run over you, intercept the backfield, I can do everything. At this level you have to be physically fit.”

Keep following Colorado Buffaloes sports reporter Scott Procter X.

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