Edwards was a three year letterman in football, basketball and track at Welch High School. While at WVU, he was considered to be the football team's top all-around athlete. As a sophomore, he finished No. 7 in the nation at the NCAA Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon. That year, he also set the WVU record in the high hurdles four times, while also holding the mark at 13.68 for the 110-meter high hurdles. He finished that year by placing second at the IC4As in the Philadelphia. His senior year he was one of the fastest men in America. Edwards attained All-American status in 1979 at the NCAA indoor championships in Detroit, finishing second in the 60-yard high hurdles; he clocked a blistering 7.9 in the event. Edwards also placed seventh in the 110-meter high hurdles at the NCAA outdoor meet. He held records in seven events in addition to playing football at WVU.