Edwards wins MWC’s top special teams award

Capping a breakout junior football season, Hawaii’s Mike Edwards was named the Mountain West Conference’s special teams player of the year on Tuesday.

"He certainly deserved it," UH coach Norm Chow said. "I thought our entire special teams did a nice job."

Edwards is sixth nationally with an average of 30.38 yards per kickoff return. He has three touchdowns.

Edwards was named to the MWC first team as a specialist and second team as a cornerback.

UH defensive end Paipai Falemalu and punter Alex Dunnachie were named to the second team. Center Ben Clarke and defensive end Tavita Woodard received honorable mention.

"I’m very excited for Mike, but I’m very excited for the entire (kickoff-return) unit," said Chris Demarest, who coaches UH’s special teams. "Mike will be the first to tell you that without the other 10 guys doing their job, it would tough to do his. I told the guys all year we had a guy back there capable of making big plays and scoring touchdowns. They bought into it."

Edwards said he was honored to be the first Hawaii player to win a league’s annual specialists award since kicker Jason Elam in 1992.

"I know a lot about Jason," Edwards said. "This means a lot."

Edwards was somewhat surprised he was not named to the first team as a cornerback. Edwards is 12th nationally in pass breakups with 1.42 per game. It is a remarkable number considering that four opposing teams did not throw a pass in his direction, and a fifth, Colorado State, targeted Edwards only once.

Edwards also made cameo appearances as a receiver on fly sweeps. It was in spring training, when Edwards was recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, that Chow broached the possibility of using Edwards on offense.

"Going into mid-year, I had to remind him," Edwards said. I told him: ‘Coach, I’m here if you need me on offense. I can help the team.’ "

Edwards said he feels comfortable carrying the football, an ease that helped him on kickoff returns.

"It feels natural when the ball’s in my hands," he said.

On returns, opponents tried to kick away from him with squibs or pooches.

"He probably would have had an opportunity for two more touchdowns if he got the ball more," Demarest said.

The big question is whether the return specialist will return to Manoa for his senior season in 2013. Edwards has indicated he’s strongly considering coming back, using phrases such as "definitely" and "leaning toward."

But he also has filed for an assessment to project where he would be taken if he were to apply for the 2013 NFL Draft.

"It’s a process," he said. "We’ll see what happens."

But Edwards said it is important to earn a bachelor’s degree. He needs 20 credits, meaning he could earn a degree by the end of the summer.

"A degree is something I’ll need, not just for the moment, but for the rest of my life," said Edwards, who has two sons. "School has always been a struggle for me. I know how to put my priorities in place. One of my priorities is to be the best I can be in school."