- BEST IN STATE -

Campbell football boasts ‘Best In State’ top FCS offensive lineman, Mike Edwards

Camels set passing yardage records the past two seasons

Eric Lusk

Published

August 23, 2023

Campbell University's Mike Edwards helped pave the way for a record-setting offensive season a year ago. (Photo courtesy Campbell Athletics).

Campbell University’s football team has set new school passing records the past couple of seasons.

Coaches will point to standout left tackle Mike Edwards as one of the biggest reasons why the Camels have been able to move the ball up and down the field with much more precision.

The 6-7, 355-pounder, now a graduate student in Buies Creek, has been named a preseason All-American by Stats Perform, Phil Steele College Football and The Bluebloods. Edwards also is our Best In State preseason top offensive lineman for the FCS.

Edwards first started out in the band, playing trombone. But someone invited him to try out for football in high school, and the rest is history. While playing at South View, he emerged as one of the top recruits in North Carolina.

In 2022, Edwards became the first Campbell offensive lineman to earn All-American recognition, being voted to the American Football Coaches Association second-team for FCS. He also earned first-team All-Big South in the Camels’ final year in that league.

Campbell set a single-season school record for passing yards (2,915 yards/265 per game, along with 16 passing Tds) in 2022. Campbell’s “O” earned 500+ yards of offense against NC Central, Robert Morris, NC A&T and Bryant.

Edwards started the first seven games of the 2021 season, helping Campbell set what was then a new season record for passing yards (2,901) as well as touchdowns (24). He started all four of the Camels games during the 2020 COVID-shortened season. Campbell earned 362 total yards against Wake Forest and 369 against Georgia Southern.

Edwards began his college career at Wake Forest, redshirting in 2018 and sitting out in 2019 due to an injury.

Campbell’s offense (and defense) will face a tough task in the season opener on Thursday, Aug. 31. William & Mary, projected to win the CAA and listed in the FCS top 10 by multiple outlets, visits Barker-Lane Stadium.