Ben Edwards (American football)

Edwards played high school football at York High School in Yorktown, Virginia. He earned Offensive Player of the Year honors in the Bay Rivers District during his junior year in 2008.{{cite web | url=http://www.dailypress.com/sports/highschool/dp-spt-edwards-taliaferro-0730-20150729-story.html | title=Former Bay Rivers football players Lorenzo Taliaferro, Ben Edwards ready to take advantage of NFL opportunities | work=Daily Press | date=July 29, 2015 | access-date=July 10, 2016 | author=O'Brien, Marty | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160710175524/http://www.dailypress.com/sports/highschool/dp-spt-edwards-taliaferro-0730-20150729-story.html | archive-date=July 10, 2016 | url-status=bot: unknown}} He also garnered first-team All-District and All-Region accolades as both a quarterback and kick returner. Edwards earned second-team All-District accolades as a punter as well.{{cite web | url=https://www.dailypress.com/2008/11/12/edwards-hill-get-brd-top-honors/ | title=Edwards, Hill Get Brd Top Honors | work=Daily Press | date=November 12, 2008 | access-date=July 22, 2016 | author=O'Brien, Marty | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160723023300/http://articles.dailypress.com/2008-11-12/sports/0811120007_1_grafton-defensive-don-pierce | archive-date=July 23, 2016 | url-status=bot: unknown}} In late September 2009, he suffered a sprained ankle, which slowed him for several weeks.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15181337/daily_press/ | title=Records survive Patrick's night | work=Daily Press | date=November 6, 2009 | access-date=November 16, 2017 | author=O'Brien, Marty | pages=B3}}{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15181516/daily_press/ | title=Today's games | work=Daily Press | date=October 23, 2009 | access-date=November 16, 2017 | author=O'Brien, Marty | pages=B3}}{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15181577/daily_press/ | title=Ben Edwards' ankle only sprained | work=Daily Press | date=September 28, 2009 | access-date=November 16, 2017 | pages=C7}} In late October 2009, he suffered a broken collarbone that caused him to miss two games.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15181401/daily_press/ | title=Indians quickly dismiss Falcons | work=Daily Press | date=November 21, 2009 | access-date=November 16, 2017 | author=O'Brien, Marty | pages=C2}}{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15181647/daily_press/ | title=Rams 'put on a clinic' in big win | work=Daily Press | date=October 31, 2009 | access-date=November 16, 2017 | author=Waldrop, Melinda | pages=C2}} Edwards played basketball at York High as well. He averaged 14.0 points and 5.4 assists per game in his junior year, garnering All-District honors.{{cite web | url=http://www.richmondspiders.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205207726 | title=BEN EDWARDS | publisher=RichmondSpiders.com | access-date=July 9, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160710023558/http://www.richmondspiders.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205207726 | archive-date=July 10, 2016 | url-status=bot: unknown}}

He had scholarship offers from the University of Richmond, James Madison University and the College of William & Mary.{{cite web | url=http://wydaily.com/2015/05/08/sports-former-york-football-standout-prepares-for-new-york-giants-rookie-mini-camp/ | title=Former York Football Standout Embraces Second Chance to Compete for NFL Roster Spot | work=Williamsburg Yorktown Daily | date=May 8, 2015 | access-date=July 10, 2016 | author=Hodges, Ty | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160711015442/http://wydaily.com/2015/05/08/sports-former-york-football-standout-prepares-for-new-york-giants-rookie-mini-camp/ | archive-date=July 11, 2016 | url-status=bot: unknown}}

Edwards played wide receiver for the Richmond Spiders of the University of Richmond from 2010 to 2013.

He played in ten games, starting five of them, throughout his freshman season in 2010, catching nine passes for 129 yards and a touchdown. In 2011, he appeared in eleven games, of which he started ten, recording 44 receptions for 509 yards and six touchdowns. Edwards earned CAA All-Academic accolades the same year.

He started all eleven games in his junior year in 2012 and led the CAA in receptions with 80. He also totaled 852 yards receiving and three receiving touchdowns. Edwards rushed for 117 yards on sixteen attempts that same year as well. He garnered first-team All-CAA, first-team VaSID All-State, College Sports Madness third-team All-CAA, CAA All-Academic and Touchdown Club of Richmond Division I National End/Wide Receiver of the Year honors in 2012.

He played in nine games his senior year in 2013, catching 74 passes for 706 yards and five touchdowns. Edwards also rushed for 138 yards and one touchdown on 31 carries while returning 12 punts for 124 yards.{{cite web | url=http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Giants-add-WR-Ben-Edwards-to-active-roster/03a256a5-d9b3-4e3e-a563-819a60016bbe | title=Giants add WR Ben Edwards to active roster | publisher=Giants.com | date=December 24, 2015 | access-date=November 30, 2017 | author=Eisen, Michael | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201023933/http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Giants-add-WR-Ben-Edwards-to-active-roster/03a256a5-d9b3-4e3e-a563-819a60016bbe | archive-date=December 1, 2017 | url-status=bot: unknown}} He earned first-team All-CAA, second-team VaSID All-State, College Sports Madness second-team All-CAA, CAA All-Academic and Touchdown Club of Richmond Division I National End/Wide Receiver of the Year accolades in 2013. He also garnered College Sports Madness third-team All-CAA punt returner recognition in 2013. Edwards tore his ACL in a game against the Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens on November 16, 2013, and underwent surgery for the injury ten days later.{{cite web | url=http://www.dailypress.com/sports/highschool/dp-spt-former-york-high-richmond-star-ben-edwards-signed-to-new-york-giants-practice-squad-20151118-post.html | title=Former York High/Richmond star Ben Edwards signed to New York Giants practice squad | work=Daily Press | date=November 18, 2015 | access-date=July 9, 2016 | author=O'Brien, Marty | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160710145415/http://www.dailypress.com/sports/highschool/dp-spt-former-york-high-richmond-star-ben-edwards-signed-to-new-york-giants-practice-squad-20151118-post.html | archive-date=July 10, 2016 | url-status=bot: unknown}}{{cite web | url=http://www.richmond.com/sports/college/football/article_f20cc950-117b-53dc-886d-f84cf416a87e.html | title=Former Spider Edwards running comeback route | work=Richmond Times-Dispatch | date=March 19, 2014 | access-date=July 10, 2016 | author=O'Connor, John}} He majored in leadership at Richmond.{{cite web | url=http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/richmond-wr-ben-edwards-making-his-bid-for-nfl/ | title=Richmond WR Ben Edwards making his bid for NFL | publisher=NationalFootballPost.com | date=May 3, 2014 | access-date=July 10, 2016 | author=Wilson, Aaron | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160723021820/http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/richmond-wr-ben-edwards-making-his-bid-for-nfl/ | archive-date=July 23, 2016 | url-status=bot: unknown}}{{cite web | url=https://www.dailypress.com/2012/08/30/richmond-football-to-rely-on-757-tandem-against-virginia/ | title=Richmond football to rely on '757' tandem against Virginia | work=Daily Press | date=August 30, 2012 | access-date=July 10, 2016 | author=Teel, David | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160723015428/http://articles.dailypress.com/2012-08-30/sports/dp-spt-teel-column-ur-edwards-20120830_1_wayne-lineburg-latrell-scott-danny-rocco | archive-date=July 23, 2016 | url-status=bot: unknown}}

Edwards participated in Richmond's Pro Day on March 18, 2014, but did not run the 40-yard dash.{{cite web | url=http://www.richmondspiders.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=209437225 | title=Spider Football Set To Host Pro Day On Tuesday | publisher=RichmondSpiders.com | date=March 17, 2014 | access-date=July 10, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160710232645/http://www.richmondspiders.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=209437225 | archive-date=July 10, 2016 | url-status=bot: unknown}} He visited the New York Giants in April 2014.{{cite web | url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/richmond-wr-ben-edwards-visited-005000947--nfl.html | title=Richmond WR Ben Edwards visited Giants | publisher=Yahoo Sports | date=April 27, 2014 | access-date=July 10, 2016 | author=Wilson, Aaron | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160710152721/https://sports.yahoo.com/news/richmond-wr-ben-edwards-visited-005000947--nfl.html | archive-date=July 10, 2016 | url-status=bot: unknown}}{{cite web | url=http://www.kffl.com/player/29740/nfl/news/ben-edwards | title=Ben Edwards | publisher=KFFL.com | access-date=July 10, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160710152559/http://www.kffl.com/player/29740/nfl/news/ben-edwards | archive-date=July 10, 2016 | url-status=bot: unknown}} He was rated the 155th best wide receiver in the 2014 NFL draft by NFLDraftScout.com. Edwards had a tryout with the Cleveland Browns of the NFL on August 5, 2014.{{cite web | url=http://nfltraderumors.co/nfl-notes-browns-chargers-dolphins-giants-packers-panthers/ | title=NFL Notes: Browns, Chargers, Dolphins, Giants, Packers, & Panthers | publisher=NFLTradeRumors.co | date=August 5, 2014 | access-date=July 10, 2016 | author=Bouda, Nate | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160710153823/http://nfltraderumors.co/nfl-notes-browns-chargers-dolphins-giants-packers-panthers/ | archive-date=July 10, 2016 | url-status=bot: unknown}} He worked as a recruiter at Fork Union Military Academy in 2014. He was also an assistant coach with Fork Union's postgraduate football team and varsity lacrosse team during the 2014–15 academic year.{{cite web | url=http://www.forkunion.com/page.cfm?p=616&newsid=76 | title=Fork Union's Coach Ben Edwards signed by Giants as wide receiver | publisher=ForkUnion.com | date=May 11, 2015 | access-date=July 22, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160723023708/http://www.forkunion.com/page.cfm?p=616&newsid=76 | archive-date=July 23, 2016 | url-status=bot: unknown}} He participated in the Giants' three-day rookie minicamp in May 2015.{{cite web | url=http://wydaily.com/2015/05/14/sports-ben-edwards-signs-with-new-york-giants-after-strong-performance-in-rookie-mini-camp/ | title=Ben Edwards Signs With New York Giants After Strong Performance in Rookie Mini-Camp | work=Williamsburg Yorktown Daily | date=May 11, 2015 | access-date=July 10, 2016 | author=Hodges, Ty | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160710152205/http://wydaily.com/2015/05/14/sports-ben-edwards-signs-with-new-york-giants-after-strong-performance-in-rookie-mini-camp/ | archive-date=July 10, 2016 | url-status=bot: unknown}}

{{NFL predraft

| height ft = 5

| height in = 10½

| weight = 200

| shuttle = 4.52

| cone drill = 6.80

| bench = 11

| note = All values from Richmond Pro Day{{cite web | url=http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=107076&draftyear=2014&genpos=WR | title=Ben Edwards | publisher=NFLDraftScout.com | access-date=July 10, 2016}}

}}

Edwards signed with the New York Giants on May 11, 2015, after a strong performance in the rookie minicamp.{{cite web | url=http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/ben-edwards-player-transactions | title=BEN EDWARDS | work=FoxSports.com | access-date=July 10, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160710150928/http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/ben-edwards-player-transactions | archive-date=July 10, 2016 | url-status=bot: unknown}}{{cite web | url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/05/11/giants-release-three-veterans-add-four-players/ | title=Giants release three veterans, add four players | publisher=Profootballtalk.com | date=May 11, 2015 | access-date=July 10, 2016 | author=Wilkening, Mike | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160710150929/http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/05/11/giants-release-three-veterans-add-four-players/ | archive-date=July 10, 2016 | url-status=bot: unknown}} He suffered a hamstring injury at the end of the mandatory minicamp in June.{{cite web|url=http://www.bigblueview.com/2015/12/24/10663702/giants-roster-moves-wr-ben-edwards-promoted-from-practice-squad |title=Giants' roster moves: WR Ben Edwards promoted from practice squad |publisher=BigBlueView.com |date=December 24, 2015 |access-date=July 10, 2016 |author=Valentine, Ed |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160710165444/http://www.bigblueview.com/2015/12/24/10663702/giants-roster-moves-wr-ben-edwards-promoted-from-practice-squad |archive-date=July 10, 2016 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.bigblueinteractive.com/2016/04/28/new-york-giants-mini-camp-ends-ben-edwards-injury-update/ |title=New York Giants Mini-Camp Ends; Ben Edwards Injury Update |publisher=BigBlueInteractive.com |date=April 28, 2016 |access-date=July 10, 2016 |author=Kennedy, Eric |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160710170052/http://www.bigblueinteractive.com/2016/04/28/new-york-giants-mini-camp-ends-ben-edwards-injury-update/ |archive-date=July 10, 2016 }}{{cite web | url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2501127-ny-giants-twitter-mailbag-the-schools-out-for-summer-edition | title=NY Giants Twitter Mailbag: The 'School's out for Summer!' Edition | publisher=Bleacher Report | date=June 19, 2015 | access-date=July 10, 2016 | author=Traina, Patricia | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160710165619/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2501127-ny-giants-twitter-mailbag-the-schools-out-for-summer-edition | archive-date=July 10, 2016 | url-status=bot: unknown}} He was waived/injured by the Giants on July 31.{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=nfl&id=14433408 | title=With Beckham suspended, Giants sign receiver Ben Edwards | work=ESPN.com | agency=Associated Press | date=December 24, 2015 | access-date=July 10, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160710164607/http://espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nfl&id=14433408 | archive-date=July 10, 2016 | url-status=bot: unknown}}{{cite web | url=http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2015/07/giants_waive_receiver_ben_edwards_to_make_room_on.html | title=Giants sign veteran wide receiver James Jones, waive Ben Edwards | publisher=NJ.com | date=July 31, 2015 | access-date=July 10, 2016 | author=Kratch, James | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160711013454/http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2015/07/giants_waive_receiver_ben_edwards_to_make_room_on.html | archive-date=July 11, 2016 | url-status=bot: unknown}} Edwards reverted to injured reserve on August 1, 2015. He was waived from the injured reserve list with an injury settlement on August 7, 2015.{{cite web | url=http://nfltraderumors.co/nfl-transactions-friday-87/ | title=NFL Transactions: Friday 8/7 | publisher=NFLTradeRumors.co | date=August 7, 2015 | access-date=July 10, 2016 | author=Bouda, Nate | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160710171316/http://nfltraderumors.co/nfl-transactions-friday-87/ | archive-date=July 10, 2016 | url-status=bot: unknown}} He then spent time as a wide receivers coach at York High School while recovering from his hamstring injury before being signed to the Giants' practice squad on November 18, 2015.{{cite web | url=http://wydaily.com/2015/11/23/sports-york-football-grad-ben-edwards-signed-to-practice-squad-contract-with-ny-giants/ | title=York Football Grad Ben Edwards Signed to Practice Squad Contract with NY Giants | publisher=Williamsburg Yorktown Daily | date=November 23, 2015 | access-date=July 10, 2016 | author=Hodges, Ty | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160711012354/http://wydaily.com/2015/11/23/sports-york-football-grad-ben-edwards-signed-to-practice-squad-contract-with-ny-giants/ | archive-date=July 11, 2016 | url-status=bot: unknown}} Edwards was promoted to the active roster on December 24 after wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was suspended for one game. He made his NFL debut on December 27, 2015, against the Minnesota Vikings, catching one pass for nine yards on two targets while also returning a kickoff for twenty yards. He also played against the Philadelphia Eagles on January 3, 2016.{{cite web | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/EdwaBe00/gamelog/2015/ | title=Ben Edwards | publisher=Sports Reference LLC | work=Pro-Football-Reference.com | access-date=July 10, 2016}}

Edwards suffered a mild left knee sprain during voluntary workouts on April 27, 2016.{{cite web | url=http://nfltraderumors.co/150380-2/ | title=NFL Notes: Draft, 49ers, Bears, Giants, & Saints | publisher=NFLTradeRumors.co | date=April 27, 2016 | access-date=July 10, 2016 | author=Bouda, Nate | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160711002813/http://nfltraderumors.co/150380-2/ | archive-date=July 11, 2016 | url-status=bot: unknown}}{{cite web | url=http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/giants-ben-edwards-suffers-knee-sprain/ | title=Giants' Ben Edwards: Suffers knee sprain | publisher=CBSSports.com | date=April 28, 2016 | access-date=July 10, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160711002738/http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/giants-ben-edwards-suffers-knee-sprain/ | archive-date=July 11, 2016 | url-status=bot: unknown}} He later returned to offseason workouts.{{cite web | url=http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2016/05/giants_wide_receiver_ben_edwards_has_torn_acl_per.html | title=Giants wide receiver Ben Edwards has torn ACL, per sources | publisher=NJ.com | date=May 11, 2016 | access-date=July 10, 2016 | author=Raanan, Jordan | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160711005031/http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2016/05/giants_wide_receiver_ben_edwards_has_torn_acl_per.html | archive-date=July 11, 2016 | url-status=bot: unknown}} He tore the ACL in his knee during practice on May 7 and was later ruled out for the season.{{cite web | url=http://nfltraderumors.co/giants-wr-ben-edwards-suffered-torn-acl-rookie-minicamp/ | title=Giants WR Ben Edwards Suffered Torn ACL During Rookie Minicamp | publisher=NFLTradeRumors.co | date=May 11, 2016 | access-date=July 10, 2016 | author=Bouda, Nate | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160711005334/http://nfltraderumors.co/giants-wr-ben-edwards-suffered-torn-acl-rookie-minicamp/ | archive-date=July 11, 2016 | url-status=bot: unknown}} Edwards was waived/injured by the team on May 9.{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/transactions/_/name/nyg/new-york-giants | title=New York Giants Transactions - 2016 | work=ESPN.com | access-date=July 10, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160711004411/http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/transactions/_/name/nyg/new-york-giants | archive-date=July 11, 2016 | url-status=bot: unknown}}{{cite web | url=http://www.bigblueinteractive.com/2016/05/16/ben-edwards-uani-unga-placed-injured-reserve/ | title=Ben Edwards and Uani 'Unga Placed on Injured Reserve | publisher=BigBlueInteractive.com | date=May 16, 2016 | access-date=July 10, 2016 | author=Kennedy, Eric | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160711004352/http://www.bigblueinteractive.com/2016/05/16/ben-edwards-uani-unga-placed-injured-reserve/ | archive-date=July 11, 2016 | url-status=bot: unknown}} He reverted to injured reserve the following day.{{cite web | url=http://www.nfl.com/teams/newyorkgiants/transactions?team=NYG | title=New York Giants Transactions | work=NFL.com | access-date=July 10, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160711004646/http://www.nfl.com/teams/newyorkgiants/transactions?team=NYG | archive-date=July 11, 2016 | url-status=bot: unknown}}

After spending the entire 2016 season on injured reserve, he was not offered a contract by the Giants, making him a free agent.{{cite web | url=http://www.espn.com/blog/new-york-giants/post/_/id/50859/will-tye-re-signs-giants-make-decisions-on-all-erfas | title=Giants make calls on some free agents, including re-signing tight end Will Tye | date=February 15, 2017 | author=Raanan, Jordan | website=ESPN.com}}

Source:{{cite web | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/EdwaBe00.htm | title=Ben Edwards | publisher=Sports Reference LLC | work=Pro-Football-Reference.com | access-date=September 4, 2016}}

Edwards's father played football for the Virginia Tech Hokies. Ben's brother, Aaron, played as a quarterback for the Christopher Newport Captains football team.{{cite web | url=http://www.dailypress.com/sports/highschool/dp-spt-ben-edwards-0521-20150522-story.html | title=Former York High football star Ben Edwards savoring tryout opportunity with Giants | work=Daily Press | date=May 22, 2015 | access-date=July 10, 2016 | author=O'Brien, Marty | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160711024059/http://www.dailypress.com/sports/highschool/dp-spt-ben-edwards-0521-20150522-story.html | archive-date=July 11, 2016 | url-status=bot: unknown}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://insider.espn.com/nfl/draft/player/_/id/33442 NFL Draft profile]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Edwards, Ben}}

Category:1992 births

Category:Living people

Category:American football return specialists

Category:American football wide receivers

Category:Richmond Spiders football players

Category:High school football coaches in Virginia

Category:High school lacrosse coaches in the United States

Category:New York Giants players

Category:Players of American football from Newport News, Virginia

Category:People from Yorktown, Virginia

Category:Coaches of American football from Virginia