Georgia Bulldogs 23 for '23: No. 18 Daijun Edwards
We’re less than a month away from the start of fall camp for Georgia, and what better time to take a look at the most important players for the Bulldogs in 2023?
Important can have different definitions. Some players’ importance for this season is based on their past performance and ability to repeat that this fall. For others, it’s about their potential and what living up to it would mean for Georgia and its chances at winning a third straight National Championship.
We continue the countdown from 23 to 1 today now inside the top-20 with No. 18 on our list, running back Daijun Edwards.
Daijun Edwards
Position: Running Back
Class: Senior
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 201 pounds
Hometown (High School): Norman Park, Ga. (Colquitt County)
Georgia’s Daijun Edwards wouldn’t be considered the Bulldogs’ most talented running back by any means, but he’s consistent in what he does. That’s incredibly valuable.
Last season, Edwards finished second on the team in carries and yards with 140 attempts for 769 yards. He found the end zone seven times and reached double-digit carries eight times, including in six straight games in late September, October and early November.
Edwards will share the backfield this fall with his classmate Kendall Milton. Milton’s biggest problem throughout his career has been staying healthy – missing multiple games in each of his three seasons on campus. Meanwhile, Edwards has managed to stay relatively healthy and available. That could give him the upper hand.
He’s not the more talented of the two. That title would go to Milton – the No. 7 back in the Class of 2020 compared to Edwards’ No. 31 ranking. Even a younger back like Branson Robinson is probably more naturally gifted. Still, Edwards has that dog in him and runs hard. It shows, and he should have a big opportunity ahead of him this season to put himself on NFL Draft boards. Spoiler alert though, we’re going to have Milton higher on this list than Edwards still given the higher ceiling he’s got in our eyes.
Know the Quote
“He does a really good job around the goal line making people miss,” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said of Edwards after a three-touchdown day against Auburn. “He’s elusive but not so much explosive. He does a great job. He’s probably not going to break off a super-long run but has a lot of positive runs. It’s hard to tackle him for a loss.”
“Obviously, a very, very talented back,” offensive lineman Xavier Truss added. “I think it’s great seeing the opportunities he gets and having seen him come along in the past couple of seasons, especially having a big start to his season this year. It’s just awesome to see.”
Click here to find the complete rundown of our 23 for ’23 series
