Garrett Edwards is among the new wave of speedy impact players at the forefront of Illinois’ new recruiting strategy.
When the Downers Grove North quarterback/safety went to the Illini camp in mid-June, he ran a 4.47-second 40-yard dash and had a vertical jump of nearly 36 inches.
“At the end of the one-day camp, I was called up into the coach’s office and Ron Zook offered me a scholarship,” Edwards said. “He said I was going to be a big recruit for him.
“Illinois and Iowa were my two favorite choices, and now one was making an offer. I made a commitment because I wanted to get my recruiting done before the season started.”
The season began with defenses keying on Edwards, and why not? As a junior, the 6-foot-1-inch, 192-pound game-breaker had piled up 2,551 total yards and accounted for 38 touchdowns in leading the Trojans to the Class 8A title.
On Saturday, No. 19 Hinsdale Central (3-1) will get its turn to chase Edwards in its West Suburban Silver showdown with No. 17 Downers North (3-1).
“Yes, you can see it–teams are sticking eight guys in the tackle box,” Edwards said. “In our opener, Prospect had a couple spies (one-on-one responsibility) on me.”
Despite the extra attention, Edwards broke loose on an 85-yard touchdown run and also fired a 63-yard TD pass to Connor Lavallie in a 41-21 victory. During a 49-7 rout of Leyden and a 48-6 thrashing of Proviso West, Edwards came out midway through the third quarter.
“Garrett Edwards hasn’t played his best game yet,” Downers coach John Wander said. “His capabilities are endless, and he will explode soon.
“The speed he can play at and the way he can make a cut on people or juke them, he belongs in the Big Ten. I know opposing defenses are looking to shut him down. Running the option, he gets hit on every play, and he doubles up as a safety on defense. Still, he is even faster and stronger than he was last year.”
Edwards also returns punts and kickoffs. He has 812 all-purpose yards with six rushing touchdowns, three TD passes and a 12-yard interception return and 65-yard punt return for touchdowns. He also is the Trojans’ second-leading tackler.
“I see myself as a safety in college,” Edwards said. “Illinois has a commitment from Isiah Williams of Vocational, and he’s probably their quarterback of the future.
“When I play safety, I have an advantage also being a quarterback. I can see where the quarterback is reading, where he’s going to throw the ball and what he’s trying to do.”
Edwards the safety might have a shot at an interception or two Saturday as Hinsdale will start either junior backup QB Kasey Ourada or sophomore Zach Leathers. Starter Brett Morse will miss at least three games with a soft-tissue injury in his left (non-throwing) elbow.
“Morse is a pretty good player who can run and throw,” Edwards said. “It’ll hurt their offense a little not having him. But Hinsdale is a great team, and I’m sure someone else will . . . provide a spark for their offense.”
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bsakamoto@tribune.com
