North Carolina State University Athletics
Mr. Versatility
9/21/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 21, 2004
By Pat Norris - Entering his senior season, it's safe to say that Dovonte Edwards is the most versatile member of his football team. From putting up productive numbers as a receiver for two years, including a highlight-making touchdown catch as a freshman in 2001, Edwards has shown a penchant for offense. After switching to defense as a junior and starting at cornerback for his senior season, he has once again proven himself to be capable of helping out on either side of the ball. In fact, Edwards has even more under his helmet than you might expect.
"I enjoyed playing basketball more than I enjoyed football for most of my life, but I've changed now," Edwards said in a recent interview inside the walls of historic Reynolds Coliseum. "It was tough giving up basketball; just look at the basketball I have tattooed on my arm. I think that shows you how special it is for me. Football is my life now, and I'm happy with that decision."
Edwards, from Chapel Hill, N.C., came to NC State in 2001 as a multisport prep star, earning all-conference honors in basketball and football. He received offers to play both sports in college and when his decision came, he felt the best fit for him was with the Wolfpack.
"The idea of playing both sports was intriguing and challenging for me," Edwards said. "I knew at NC State, on Tobacco Road, I could challenge myself and include basketball in my life."
Edwards saw plenty of action on the gridiron his first two seasons, catching 37 passes for 453 yards and two touchdowns. When his freshman football season ended with a team leading eight catches in the Tangerine Bowl, Edwards' basketball season was just beginning.
"I had maybe five or six days after the bowl game before I was practicing with the basketball team in Reynolds," Edwards said. "The conditioning between the two sports were totally different, so it was a hard adjustment, especially in the middle of basketball season. It took time for the staff to get me into basketball mode and to learn the plays."
As tough as the transition was, Edwards wouldn't trade a moment of his basketball experience at NC State.
"It was a great experience for me," Edwards said. "Basketball has always been in my heart, and it has allowed me to travel across the country and to play against guys who are in the NBA now. I was able to find out how great the college basketball experience was on my own, because playing collegiate basketball was something I wanted to do out of high school before football became a bigger option."
With football as his best option, he moved on from practicing with the men's basketball team in Reynolds. Edwards went back to practicing and training with the football team. While it was not easy walking away from basketball, Edwards understands his role as a Wolfpack student-athlete.
"I realized that I had a commitment to the football team because football was paying for my scholarship," Edwards said. "I wouldn't be able to give my all in football while still playing both, and football deserves my all. Football has grown on me, and I'm very happy with my decision."
His decision to come to NC State focused on academics and a strong family and spiritual life, in addition to athletics, that Edwards credits with his development as a person.
"I play football because the Lord gave me this talent to go on the field and play at a high level," Edwards said. "Just by blessing me with my athletic ability, He has also given me a chance to graduate from a prestigious university.
"I've always been fierce about my schoolwork, and my parents have always believed in me and pushed education to the front of my life. When I graduate from NC State, I know that will make them prouder than anything I have done on the football field."
His football career started with a bang, pun intended. Edwards wears his 2001 Tangerine Bowl ring around a chain on his neck, a symbol of his first bowl game, and "the best looking of the rings" from his three years in the red and white. Fans might not remember his touchdown in the Tangerine Bowl, but it's a safe bet that every Wolfpack fan will remember the touchdown he scored against the Tar Heels of the University of North Carolina that same year. In fact, it's a safe bet most of the country will remember the play, because on that night, it was the play that had to be seen to be believed.
The play in question began as a 1st and 10 at the North Carolina 23, with Philip Rivers under center. Edwards was lined up on the left side of the formation, and quickly found a seam towards the middle of the field. Rivers' pass hit Edwards in stride in the back of the end zone for a touchdown, just moments before Edwards banged into the goalpost at full speed.
"Actually, I think it was all Philip's fault," Edwards laughed. "Really, I was so wide open, he could have zipped the ball in to me with no problem. Instead, he led me to the point that I had to struggle to keep my feet in bounds, and before I knew what happened, I was on my back. I looked up to see if a defender had hit me and if I had scored or not. After my teammates came over to congratulate me, I realized I had smacked into the goalpost. It was my first touchdown against our biggest rival, and against the team from my hometown. It was a fun moment."
The hit made every highlight show that week as a top play, and Fox Sport's Best Damn Sports Show liked it so much, they worked it into the show's opening sequence. With that kind of publicity and fan response, it makes one wonder if perhaps Edwards did it on purpose.
"I definitely didn't mean to run into the goalpost, but every time I saw it on TV I got a good laugh about it," Edwards said. "My friends at home always joke about it, teasing me by saying `watch out for those goalposts.'"
Opposing receivers can't worry about the goalposts when they come to play NC State, but they should worry about running into Dovonte Edwards.
