West Virginia Mountaineers Add Hard Hitting Hybrid S/LB Aaron Edwards

Hard hitting Safety/Linebacker Aaron Edwards joins a stacked West Virginia Mountaineers Football team

The West Virginia Mountaineers football staff has been very busy adding to its 2026 recruiting class, recently adding a vicious tackling hybrid safety/linebacker from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M junior college, Aaron Edwards. One click of Edwards' highlight tape, and it becomes clear why spectators love him and opposing teams fear him. Edwards joins a stacked 2026 class and looks to compete for a spot on the Mountaineers defense ASAP! Edwards talks to The VIP Crew about his decision to take his talents to Morgantown!

The VIP Crew: Congratulations on your commitment to West Virginia University. You also visited The University of Tulsa as well. What made West Virginia standout and eventually be your landing spot?

Edwards: I appreciate that. What separated the two for me is, how much West Virginia had my future in mind, whether academically or athletically.

The VIP Crew: You are 6’3 and weigh around 200 pounds, yet you can play safety and linebacker. Do you have a preference in what position you will play at WVU, or as long as you’re on the field you’re good?

Edwards: As long as I’m somewhere on that defense it doesn’t matter to me. In high school I played outside linebacker and middle linebacker, so I’m comfortable wherever they need me to play at.

The VIP Crew: Watching your highlights, how in the hell did you end up at the JUCO level?

Edwards: My grades fell short, so that’s why I had to go the JUCO route. That’s why for

sure.

The VIP Crew: Your aggression at the point of attack to make some of these vicious hits shows your timing, your ability to read and react, and your body control to land some of these big hits. Where does that come from?

Edwards: It’s football, so you gotta have that mentality. It’s always been my mentality. My coaches love it, so I just do it even more.

The VIP Crew: I have watched football for a very long time. I have never witnessed someone layout the kicker after hurdling the deep snapper on an extra point or

field goal.

Edwards: (Laughing). Basically, we were down that game, and I was just trying to make a play. My instinct just clicked, and I just did it. They definitely flagged me on that play, but they didn’t make the field goal, so (laughing).

The VIP Crew: Did you draw a lot of flags last season for some of your hits?

Edwards: I would get flagged and they would review it, and I would be allowed to stay in the game. I only got kicked out of one game. I watched a lot of Sean Taylor growing up. I like the way he played the game. I’m really old school when it comes to football. I always want to hit, always energetic. Football back in the day has more of a toll on me than this eras football.

The VIP Crew: How much do you feel like your versatility and willingness to play multiple positions not only helped you get this far, but also got the attention of a West Virginia University?

Edwards: It helps me a lot. I’m long and being athletic helps a lot because it takes pressure off my plate because I know I’m athletic enough to do anything from any position. I played a lot of safety in college, and it makes me comfortable in any defense because I know I can cover a speedy slot receiver or big tight ends. I feel like I can do a lot in any defense.

The VIP Crew: Guys who can play multiple positions and be used in various ways are being groomed now, and it opens up opportunities to see the field. What was your time like at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M?

Edwards: It was great! Coach [Zach] Crissup, Coach [John] Warren taught me a lot. They kept developing me and teaching me and they put that thought in my head to be great. They taught me to always go above and beyond in everything that you do.

The VIP Crew: You have 2 seasons of eligibility left. What is your approach to the last 2 years of your college career?

Edwards: I know what I can do in 2 years, I look at what I was able to do in one, so my approach for my final 2 seasons is the same as I had last year.

The VIP Crew: I love how you used the internet, social media in particular to really put yourself out there. Was this something you did on your own, or were you told to do this?

Edwards: It was definitely something I was told to do. This dude named Tango McCauley, you can look him up. He was telling me the coaches are going to put you out there but you gotta put yourself out there as well. It helps your recruitment a lot and it helps your platform as well.

The VIP Crew: In terms of the on the field stuff, what are you expecting once you get on campus?

Edwards: I see myself in a lot of position battles. There is going to be competition everywhere, but I feel like they are willing to give me a chance. All I need is a chance and I’m going to do whatever I can within my power with that chance.

The VIP Crew: What have you been working on this offseason to improve and put the best version of you on the football field next season?

Edwards: Keeping my pad level low was a big thing. I’m a taller DB [Defensive Back]. I have been working on getting out of my breaks and working on catch coverage. I have been doing a lot of movement stuff.

The VIP Crew: You are a true throwback, and I enjoy watching you play the game. Best of luck to you this season. Is there anything you’d like to add?

Edwards: I want to thank God, my mom, my dad, my family, my sister and brother.