How Chris Klieman managed Dylan Edwards’ unique recruiting journey

LAS VEGAS (KSNT) – Dylan Edwards will play for Kansas State, but later than originally planned.

Edwards had a unique path to Manhattan. After high school, he initially committed to K-State before decommitting to Notre Dame, but eventually landed at Colorado for his freshman year. Despite decommitting, there seemed to be no ill will on K-State’s part. Chris Klieman and Avery Johnson both contacted the Derby, Kansas, native almost immediately when he entered the transfer portal.

“As soon as he walked into the portal,” K-State sophomore quarterback Avery Johnson said of the speed with which he contacted the fellow Kansas native. “Facetimed him… Coach Klieman gave me the OK. Facetimed him, invited him to come visit… and then Coach Klieman told me to take care of it and the rest is history.”

Running back wasn’t exactly a position in demand for K-State following DJ Giddens’ return. He rushed for over 1,500 yards and scored 13 touchdowns in 2023. Still, Klieman made the call in a hurry.

“When he entered the portal, I was the first (coach) to call him,” Klieman said. “It wasn’t an assistant. It was me. I called him and we picked up right where we left off about a year ago… We’ve done a really good job with him and showing him that this is his home. This is family.”

Klieman says the way his program handled Edwards’ change of plans after high school may have helped them recruit him as a freshman.

“We had a phenomenal relationship when I recruited him (out of high school). I was very, very active in his recruitment,” Klieman said. “When he decided to go to another school, he called me, we talked and I wished him the best. Because I’m also a father and a husband and I want the best for my kids. But I also knew that if it didn’t work out, he would judge it based on our relationship and how I treated him when he decided (to withdraw).”

Klieman said he was excited to see Edwards play for K-State, and Johnson was instrumental in recruiting him when the Derby High School graduate decided to leave Colorado. Click here to learn more about K-State’s plan to incorporate both Edwards and Giddens into the offense.