Daijun Edwards inks undrafted free agent deal in AFC North
Georgia running back Daijun Edwards didn’t come off the board during day three of the 2024 NFL Draft, but that won’t stop him from pursuing professional football. The Moultrie, Ga. native just signed an undrafted free agent deal and is one of the newest members of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Edwards arrived at Georgia a lesser-recruited product of Colquitt County, playing primarily in mop up duty during his first few seasons. However, in his final two years, Edwards has been a consistent part of the Bulldogs’ offensive attack, totaling 1,650 yards and 20 touchdowns on 304 carries.
Edwards twice topped the 100-yard mark in 2023 in a pair of his most heavily used games. Making his season debut against South Carolina, the Moultrie, Ga. native carried it 20 times for 118 yards. He had another 20 carries versus Vanderbilt, this time totaling 146 yards. In between those two games were a pair of two-touchdown performances, two of the five he had on the season including twice against top-10 competition.
Edwards also played an important part in Georgia’s 2022 season. While Kenny McIntosh played the primarily role, it was the physical running style of Edwards that got into the end zone late against Missouri to help the Bulldogs avoid an upset. That was his first touchdown of the season, and over the next month, he would total all seven including three in a rivalry game win against Auburn. He later topped the 100-yard mark versus Florida, finding the end zone twice to take down the Gators. All in all, Edwards finished his UGA career with 390 carries, 2,083 yards and 24 touchdowns.
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“Yeah, he’s workman-like. The guy’s got great vision, great toughness,” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said about Edwards during the 2023 season. “He’s really hard to tackle. His balance is so tough. He does not take many tough shots. He’s got good wiggle, really good short yardage guy, really patient, hits the hole. Where would we be right now without Daijun? I don’t know, because his toughness has won out.”
“He makes people miss in the hole. He gets yards after contact. He’s very confident, an experienced player who’s tough,” he added on a separate occasion. “He’s a traditional Georgia high school football player. He’s a really good player from a really tough area and an effective runner.”
Georgia saw eight players get selected in the 2024 NFL Draft: Brock Bowers (Las Vegas Raiders), Amarius Mims (Cincinnati Bengals), Ladd McConkey (Los Angeles Chargers), Kamari Lassiter (Houston Texans), Javon Bullard (Green Bay Packers), Tykee Smith (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Sedrick Van Pran (Buffalo Bills) and Zion Logue (Atlanta Falcons). Bulldogs not drafted include Edwards along with his fellow running back Kendall Milton (Philadelphia Eagles), wide receiver Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, defensive lineman Tramel Walthour and long snapper William Mote.
