Sept. 30, 2004

Editor's Note: This feature ran in the Sept. 4 edition of the Mizzou football gameday program.

by Jessica Poole

As far as walk-ons go, senior defensive back Ryan Edwards knows the day-in and day-out struggles that come on the football field, but wouldn't have it any other way. Edwards, a native of Eldon, Mo, has always known that football was in his blood and was lucky enough to make a dream become a reality when he walked onto the Tiger football team his freshman year.

"I've always wanted to play at Mizzou," Edwards said. "This university is kind of like a family tradition. Two of my siblings went here, and so it just seemed like the logical place for me to be."

Also influencing Edwards' decision to attend MU was the fact that it was so close to home that his family could come to many of the games.

"We're a pretty tight-knit family, so being close and having them be able to come to games without too much hassle also influenced my decision," Edwards said.

With the school picked out, Edwards had no problem deciding to play football; that was in fact the easiest decision. Edwards has two older siblings that greatly influenced him in the direction of the pigskin.

"I feel like I just grew up playing," Edwards said. "I can't really remember a time when I wasn't interested in playing football. I always remember throwing the ball around with my brothers. I think their love of the game just kind off rubbed off on me."

Edwards knew from an early age that he loved the game; in fact, he let his entire neighborhood know when he was in the fourth grade. Edwards recalls that instead of dressing up as your typical ghost or goblin for Halloween, he ran around his neighborhood trick-or-treating as a football player.

Edwards, who paid his dues at MU on the scout teams for two seasons, finally got to live his dream and see some game time. Last season, Edwards saw action in all 13 games, playing with the special teams unit. During the Texas Tech game, Edwards recorded three tackles on the kickoff unit, and one that made highlight reels throughout the state. While playing in the Texas Tech game was special for Edwards, the game that sticks out in his mind was the game against the University of Illinois, in St. Louis. It was the first time that Edwards had played in a game.

"I can't really say that I remember it all that well," Edwards said. "It was a kickoff return and it was over within a couple seconds, but I do know that I played in the game and it was nothing like I expected, it was better."

During Edwards' first seasons at Mizzou, he spent lots of time becoming more of a student of the game, under the tutelage of defensive coordinator and safeties coach, Matt Eberflus.

"I think that in the early part of my career here at Mizzou, coach Eberflus has really helped me to elevate my game. He's taught me to get more out of the game than can be found within the four downs. He's helped me to take away from each game not only lessons about football, but lessons about life," Edwards said.

Now that he's switched positions, Edwards is still influenced by coach Eberflus but also says that cornerbacks coach Cornell Ford has given him some insight not only into the game, but also into how the game plays a role in the bigger game of life.

While Missouri football has played the biggest influence in Edwards's life, he does have a vested interest in some professional and collegiate teams. Edwards says that one of his favorite NFL teams is the Kansas City Chiefs and as far as players go, Tampa Bay Buccaneer John Lynch tops his list.

"I just really think that he's a force in the NFL at his position. He's the type of player that I'd like to model my game after," Edwards said.

After this football season is over and he's hung up his cleats, Edwards has plans to graduate from MU with a degree in business administration, hoping to possibly get into the coaching profession down the line. Edwards also has aspirations in the field of sports psychology.

"I would love to be able to help other football players deal with the pressures that are placed upon student-athletes, "Edwards said. "I think that I could really help other athletes being that I went through many of the exact same situations that they are currently facing."

Sports, especially football, will always have a home in Ryan Edwards heart, and the valuable lessons that he learned here at Mizzou both on the field and off will take him to the top in the ever important game of life.