When a major program loses a key recruit, Rivals.com takes a look at how big of a blow it is to the respective school, analyzing it from a local and national level. To quantify the “sting” of each decommitment, we assign a score from one to 10, with one being no big deal and 10 being a catastrophic hit.
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THE STORYLINE
Is Dylan Edwards the next Deuce Vaughn?
That was the main question being asked especially after Edwards committed to Kansas State in June as the high three-star all-purpose back from Derby, Kan., resembles the star Wildcats running back a whole lot and fans were getting excited in Manhattan that they’d have their next star in the backfield.
But about a month after his commitment to Kansas State, Edwards took a visit to Notre Dame and has now promptly backed off his pledge. It is expected that the Irish will win out for his services with a chance Edwards commits soon. Others believe he could wait a while longer to see what else transpires in his recruitment.
Either way, what looked like a massive recruiting win for Kansas State on a player that could potentially be the next star in the Wildcats’ backfield probably won’t be coming to fruition.
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LOCAL REACTION
It hurts on two fronts. He’s one of the more explosive athletes in the entire country and at a position of need. Furthermore, they turned away other running backs now committed elsewhere because they had him secured. I stop short of a 10 because they can land John Randle, Jr. and Edwards’ recruitment projects to be all over the place and not finished for anyone until Signing Day. - Derek Young, KStateOnline.com
Sting factor: 8
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NATIONAL REACTION
I don’t know if Edwards is the next Vaughn. He’s probably a little bigger and a little less explosive but he could have been used in the same role and for that reason it hurts Kansas State enough. It’s also tough because he’s one of the top players in the state of Kansas and Notre Dame dipping in and getting him to basically flip if Edwards ends up with the Irish is a major challenge to overcome as well. It’s unfortunate from every direction but it’s definitely not the end of the world as the state’s top player, four-star QB Avery Johnson, is already committed and four-star John Randle Jr. is still very much in play. If K-State misses on Randle and Edwards then this score goes higher but if the Wildcats get Randle, it should be fine. - Adam Gorney, National Recruiting Director
Sting factor: 7
