The Idaho Vandals have forced two interceptions this season. Both times the football found its way into the hands of junior safety Chris Edwards.
“I actually got a goal to lead the Sun Belt in picks, so that’s what I’m going for,” Edwards said.
Fellow safety Russell Siavii said there is always a friendly competition of who can accumulate the most interceptions. Right now, Edwards has the lead heading into Saturday’s game against Texas State.
“You wanna come out here and make plays and right now he has the numbers for picks,” Siavii said.
So far, the season has been a struggle for the Vandals, who are 0-4.
“In high school, I was a part of a losing program,” Edwards said. “Everybody’s gotta buy in and keep their heads up.”
Edwards, who is from Detroit, said he never thought he would be playing college football in Idaho.
Although Edwards is a junior, this is his first season with the Vandals after making junior college stops at Grand Rapids Community College (Michigan) and Butte College (Oroville, California).
After his freshman season at Grand Rapids, in which he had two interceptions in the four games he played, Edwards took his talents west to California.
As a sophomore last season at Butte, Edwards totaled 55 tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery. The Roadrunners finished the season undefeated (12-0) and named national co-champions.
One of the most notable players to come out of Butte is Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
When looking at Edwards, you might mistake him for a linebacker. After all, he stands at 6-foot-2 and 217 pounds. It’s his size and speed makes that him versatile.
“His size allows him to be able to play what we call in the box between the tackles,” defensive coordinator Ronnie Lee said. “His range allows him to play what we call middle third defender, deep third defender.”
Even though Edwards is probably considered a big safety by most, his favorite football player isn’t the 6-foot-3, 232-pound and Seattle Seahawks strong safety, Kam Chancellor — who Idaho coach Paul Petrino compared him to. Instead, he admires another big safety, the late Sean Taylor. Taylor played for the Washington Redskins before being murdered in 2007. He was 24.
Siavii is happy to have the junior college transfer.
“He knows what to do,” Siavii said. “So it’s good to always have a guy like him and he’s always ready to hit and he plays the ball well.”
Garrett Cabeza can be reached at [email protected]