March 13, 2002

COLUMBIA, S.C. – With the 2002 NFL draft rapidly approaching next month, former University of South Carolina linebacker/defensive end Kalimba Edwards is projected to be the 20th player selected in the first round, according to ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper, Jr.

In Kiper’s top 25 picks updated on March 6, he listed the 6-6, 262-pound Edwards as the #20 prospect in the country. Edwards, an All-America from East Point, Ga., was ranked as the #3 prospect in the Southeastern Conference, behind only defensive linemen standouts Albert Haynesworth and John Henderson from the University of Tennessee.

Edwards was a semi-finalist for both the Butkus and Rotary Lombardi Awards in 2001. He was a first-team All-SEC selection for the second straight year and was a first-team All-America choice by The Sporting News and a second-team honoree by the Associated Press. Edwards suffered a knee sprain in USC’s game with Florida, which forced him to miss both the Clemson game and the Outback Bowl game against Ohio State.

Edwards was named to the SEC Good Works Team in 2001 and was also chosen as one of USC’s team captains.