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During the spring game, Gus "The Bus" Edwards made a statement, rushing for 57 yards and touchdown. For a guy coming off an injury that forced him to sit out the 2015 season (broken foot), this was pretty good.
One thing that helped Edwards overcome his injury was the outpouring of support from his teammate, who he referred to as "brothers" in an interview with the Palm Beach Post.
What should Miami fans expect from Edwards this season?
As an individual, Edwards will be great to utilize in short yardage situations. His massive 6-foot-2, 230 pound frame is incredibly hard to bring down. Along with his gargantuan size, Edwards brings maturity and veteran leadership. The redshirt junior can be a great leader for the running backs unit, and under new running backs coach, Thomas Brown, he can see his game reach a new level.
Edwards is part of a backfield that can best be compared to a three-headed beast. He'll be splitting time with Joseph Yearby and Mark Walton. Last season Yearby racked up 1,002 yards. Walton finished second on the team in terms of all-purpose yardage (1,054).
All three backs compliment each other extremely well. In Edwards, you get a combination of power and speed that wears down defenses. Yearby is an all-around talenedt RB, based on his ability to pick up blitzes, work between the tackles and use his elusiveness to evade defenders. Walton's performance on the field speaks for itself.
Take a look at Edwards resumé: In 2013, as a true freshman, Edwards carried the ball 66 times for 338 yards and five touchdowns. During the 2014 season, Gus rushed the ball 61 times, which resulted in 349 yards and six touchdowns. One stat that stood out in 2014, was Gus' yards per carry average, which sat at 5.7 yards. Not bad for a big bruiser.
Mark Richt has utilized systems that showcased a stable of running backs in the past, and that won't change at Miami. Although Edwards will be part of a stellar trio, he and his fellow running backs will all have the opportunity to showcase their unique skills.