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EDGARD – Inside linebacker Kailep Edwards, a sophomore on the West St. John Rams football team, already has four college offers to fuel his dream of playing at the next level.

Edwards received offers from Mississippi State University and Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, when he was just a freshman. Last week, a coach from Southeastern Louisiana University paid Edwards a surprise visit at West St. John High School to give his third offer.  Soon after, he had a phone call from Colorado State University. Colorado State coach Steve Addazio said he liked what he saw of Edwards on film, and he was pleased to present Edwards an offer to play there.

For Edwards, it was especially exciting because it opened a door to play in the SEC.

The attention is well-deserved.  In his sophomore season, Edwards put up 61 tackles, 33 solos, 28 assists, 13 sacks, 22 tackles for loss, three force fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one defensive touchdown.

Thus far, he has toured Mississippi State, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and, most recently, Texas Christian University.  It’s still too early to make a final decision, but it’s nice to have options.

“I’m really hoping to get some more offers,” Edwards said.  “I’d really like to get Clemson, LSU and Bama.”

Edwards started working out with the Rams varsity team as a seventh grader.  He officially joined the team as an eighth grader the year the Rams clinched the 2017 Class 1A State Championship title. He was a backup for Covan Barnes the day West St. John played in the Mercedes Benz Superdome.

“I look up to (Barnes) the most,” Edwards said. “We had great leaders on the team at the time, and they just took control.  For me to be that young and experience that was a great feeling.  I didn’t get the play in the Dome, but watching the championship with my team was a great experience.

Edwards still looks up to the older guys on the team, and he said senior Zyron Wilson pushes him to be his best.

“That’s our big defensive tackle,” Edwards said. “I love his work ethic.  He’s stronger than me, so I want to be strong like him.

He also has a close relationship with defensive line coach Blake Comminie, who he compared to a father figure in his life.

Work ethic and brotherhood have made the Rams a powerhouse team over the past several seasons, according to Edwards. Preparation for the season starts long before summer turns into fall. “We’re always working, and we have this bond,” Edwards said.  “On Friday nights when things get rough, we always uplift each other and fight through adversity. I just love the sport.  I love having this brotherhood and giving it all on the field with them. I’m just a kid living his dreams.”

Edwards is an all-around athlete who also participates in West St. John’s track and field program. He enjoys throwing the shot put and starting the 4x100m and 4x400m relays.

In college, he plans to study sports medicine and obtain a degree that would allow him to return to the high school athletics scene as a trainer.

Edwards hopes whatever college he chooses will pave the way to a professional career in the NFL.  His ultimate goal would be to one day put on a Saints jersey with his name across the back.