Senior running back Jahwan Edwards will never complain about catching the football out of the backfield, taking a sweep right or left, or throwing a block to protect his quarterback.
But if it was up to him, he’d be running the ball up the middle all game.
The starter for the Ball State football team, Edwards said he squares his shoulders toward the goalline and uses momentum to power through defenders. He calls himself a north-south runner, who prefers to take carries up the middle because he can get up to speed faster.
It’s a technique that’s carried him to a Ball State record 39 rushing touchdowns over the last three seasons, but he loves showing he has more moves in his arsenal besides running people over.
“A defender sees a big guy running towards him and the first thing they think is ‘He’s about to run me over,’” Edwards said. “They sit there and their eyes get big. I use a little lateral quickness to get by him and it’s over.”
Defenders are used to seeing Edwards run away from them. He’s started 30 games over the last three seasons, only missing time last year because of a concussion suffered early in the season.
To combat the possibility of suffering more concussions, Edwards works closely with Ball State football’s Director of Strength and Conditioning, David Feeley, such as working on Edwards’ neck to make sure he doesn’t suffer any recurring concussions.
Fully healthy, Edwards said there’s nothing better than making a defender miss, other than running into the end zone.
“A lot of backs out there think it’s all about speed. I’m not the fastest, but I’m not the slowest,” Edwards said. “I like showing that I can pack a punch and still run away from defenders.”
Last season, he rushed for 1,129 yards in 11 games, averaging over 100 yards per outing. His longest run was for 36 yards, far longer than his goal each time he touches the ball.
Edwards said with each carry, he’s aiming for three to four yards, which would actually be a downgrade compared to his production at Ball State. Last season, he averaged 5.2 yards per carry, and in 2012, it was 6.1.
After taking the handoff, Edwards watches the offensive line set up blocks in front of him, each of them putting “a hat on a hat,” in order to create space for him to run. Edwards said it isn’t difficult to be patient and wait for the blocks to set up, as his coaches have taught him from the beginning to wait for openings to form before accelerating through them. Now it’s just second nature.
Edwards has the size to be a power back, but the moves in the open field that catch opponents off guard.
“I love hitting guys with moves they don’t think I have,” Edwards said. “I’ll give him something and hear him go “Oh!” because I made him miss, and then I’m running past him.”
But now when he takes the handoff, it’s coming from Ozzie Mann and not former quarterback Keith Wenning. The transition to a different signal-caller took time, but both parties like where it’s headed.
Mann said their relationship grew during spring camp and continued to flourish through fall camp. For Edwards, the most stressful situation on the field is protecting Mann during the two-minute drill, when it’s his responsibility to take on any defenders who make it past the offensive line.
Now with the season fast approaching, Mann knows where to look if he needs help.
“He’s a captain and I go to him if I need anything,” Mann said. “He brings everything on every play, and when he’s happy, the offense will run well.”
Give him the ball between the tackles, and he’ll be a happy man.
