Gophers running back Berkley Edwards was a top high school sprinter in Michigan, and now he'll have a chance to test that speed collegiately.
Edwards is joining the Gophers track and field team this season, the athletics department said Tuesday, confirming a report in the Minnesota Daily, by Jack Satzinger.
Football remains Edwards' top athletic priority, as he will go through a full spring practice and participate in track when there are no conflicts with football. Former Gophers receiver Devin Crawford-Tufts is another example of a player who competed in both football and track.
Edwards won the 100-meter (10.58 seconds) and 200-meter (21.37) dashes at the Michigan state meet for Chelsea High School and was also a member of the 4x100 meter relay at the Junior Olympics. The Gophers' next track meet is the Jack Johnson Invitational, which starts Friday at the U of M Fieldhouse.
Edwards played 12 football games for the Gophers last season, getting 30 carries for 140 yards and two touchdowns. He was limited by a shoulder injury after redshirting with an ankle injury in 2013. He's expected to compete for more playing time this fall, as the Gophers look to replace standout running back David Cobb.
