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Former Hokies running back Trey Edmunds signs with Saints

By Justin Cates

Sep 7, 2015; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies running back Trey Edmunds (14) with the ball as Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman Darius Slade (42) defends in the third quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 7, 2015; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies running back Trey Edmunds (14) with the ball as Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman Darius Slade (42) defends in the third quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Former Virginia Tech running back Trey Edmunds signed a free agent contract with the New Orleans Saints Monday.

Edmunds was one of a handful of prospects invited to the Saints three-day rookie minicamp for a tryout. The efforts were successful enough to earn the running back a longer look this spring.

After Edmunds went undrafted by NFL teams, he originally signed a free agent deal with the Kansas City Chiefs. Now he gets a shot with New Orleans.

After redshirting, Trey burst onto the scene as a freshman for the Hokies in 2013. He had a memorable run in a loss to Alabama to start that season, and put together a solid campaign. He ran for 675 yards with 10 touchdowns and caught 17 passes for 155 yards and two scores.

Those numbers were good enough for him to be named an honorable mention freshman All-American by College Football News.

Edmunds suffered a broken left tibia in the regular season finale that season against Virginia, and that derailed his progress.

He was never quite fully healthy after that. Edmunds suffered a broken collarbone in 2014 and struggled to find a role in Tech’s jumbled running back rotation upon his return.

He finished his final two seasons in Blacksburg with just 68 carries for 282 yards and three touchdowns.

The NCAA’s graduate transfer rule gave Trey an opportunity to give it a final go at Maryland. That was his father’s alma mater and he carved out a niche in yet another jumbled backfield.

Edmunds started two games for the Terrapins and gained 158 yards on 26 carries with a touchdown in five total games. Unfortunately, a broken foot suffered during practice ended his college career.

At 6’2″, 223 pounds Edmunds has good size and still possesses good speed. He no longer runs a 4.37 40 like he did as a redshirt freshman, but he’s still quite capable with the ball in his hands.

The Saints’ unofficial depth chart currently lists Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram, Tim Hightower, and C.J. Spiller as the top three running backs.

It will clearly be tough for Edmunds to break through, but if he can stay healthy there’s no telling what can happen.

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