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BRUCE ASATO / BASATO@STARADVERTISER.COM
Hawaii kick returner Mike Edwards returns a kickoff for a touchdown in the third quarter.
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Hawaii cornerback/returner Mike Edwards will forgo his senior season and apply for the 2013 NFL Draft.
"It was a difficult decision," said Edwards, who will file his application with the NFL today. "I felt it was the best thing for my family. I have two sons and I want to provide for them."
Edwards said he received a favorable draft projection from a panel of NFL officials. He declined to specify the assessment, but he reportedly was told he projected as a mid-round selection, with the possibility of going as high as the third round.
UH coach Norm Chow said Edwards has the skills for a successful pro career.
"I think he has a shot at a great career in the NFL," Chow said.
Edwards said the NFL does not "offer guarantees. Life doesn’t offer guarantees. Life offers opportunities. This is an opportunity I have to take for my family. I feel I am physically, mentally and spiritually ready to pursue this opportunity."
Edwards said he has not picked an agent. He said he expects to train in Los Angeles, Miami or Arizona.
He said he will fulfill a promise to Chow to earn a bachelor’s degree. Edwards, who had a 3.3 grade-point average this past fall, is about two semesters short of earning a bachelor’s degree.
"We’re happy for Mike," Chow said. "We’re going to miss him. One of our goals is to get people a shot in the NFL. Another goal is to give our players an opportunity to graduate. Mike promised me he would come back in the offseason to graduate."
This season, Edwards is 12th nationally with 1.43 pass breakups per game and sixth nationally in kickoff returns with a 30.38-yard average.
