Mark Stoops optimistic as NCAA clarifies eligibility rule affecting Tru Edwards

Spring ball has wrapped up for the Kentucky football program at the Joe Craft Football Training Facility. The Wildcats successfully added 18 scholarship transfers to the roster for this spring but one big recruiting win is still missing from the roster. Louisiana Tech Tru Edwards is still awaiting clearance from the NCAA for the Diego Pavia injunction that will give former junior college players an extra year of eligibility in 2025.

Last month, the NCAA send out some guidance that appeared to clear up the case for Edwards.

NCAA sent out guidance today regarding eligibility for former JUCO and non-NCAA schools. Essentially, all players who'd be otherwise out of eligibility but played JUCO/NAIA/etc can play in 2025-26 EXCEPT those whose only season of non-NCAA competition was 2020-21 (COVID year). pic.twitter.com/fx4SGfyZNB

— Kevin Sweeney (@CBB_Central) March 13, 2025

The Mansfield (Texas) Legacy product was a class of 2019 recruit who spent his first two seasons in college football in JUCO at Navarro College from 2019-20. Edwards recorded 15 receptions for 357 yards as a true freshman in 2019. Why is that important to know? Because players that only played in junior college during the spring 2020-21 COVID-19 season would not be eligible for this waiver. Edwards should be eligible due to playing in 2019.

Mark Stoops believes that the All-CUSA transfer could be cleared soon after receive more clarity on the issue from the NCAA.

“I think they’ve defined it for us pretty good now. It basically works off the clock as well,” Stoops told the media on Saturday. “Without bringing up somebody’s name — but the big name player — that’s the perfect slot where that worked as far as where he started, when he entered for the first time. So it amounts to years as well.”

Tru Edwards will be in his seventh season of college football in 2025 after spending two years in junior college (2019-20), two years at Hawaii (2021-22), and two years at Louisiana Tech (2023-24). Kentucky is hopeful that the big-ticket addition will be added to the roster soon.

KSR+ Scouting Notebook: Tru Edwards

The big-bodied wideout started his career at junior college in 2019 before moving to Hawaii in 2021. Landed at Louisiana Tech in 2023. Earned first-team All-CUSA honors in 2024 after recording 77 receptions for 897 yards and six touchdowns. Son of Troy Edwards who won the Biletnikoff Award at Louisiana Tech in 1998. Will be 24 years old at the start of the 2025 season.

Edwards has tallied 166 career receptions during his career in junior college and the Group of Five. Moved to slot in his final year in Louisiana Tech’s spread scheme. That move played major dividends. Drops (five) do show up on tape. Was productive in contested catch situations and forced 16 missed tackles. Recorded 51 receptions for 677 yards between the numbers last season. Did almost all of his damage as a short-to-intermediate target. Creates separation on routes and wins on double moves. Long strider who can create after the catch.

Big slot with some inside-outside versatility. Can make tough catches at all three levels.

Read scouting write-ups on all of Kentucky’s transfer additions at KSR+.