Recruiting frenzy continues for Maize’s Avery Johnson and Derby’s Dylan Edwards

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - Maize High quarterback Avery Johnson and Derby high running back Dylan Edwards are two of the top football recruits in Kansas, holding a combined 21 Division I offers and counting entering their junior seasons.

The two are lifelong friends and have been busy on the recruiting trail this summer.

“It’s just a great experience, we keep each other levelheaded,” Edwards said. “It’s all about motivating each other and reaching the goals we planned for each other.”

“I definitely like to see Dylan succeed and I know Dylan was preaching to the K-State coaches about me,” Johnson said. “I try to do the same thing for him when I talk to coaches, put in a good word, I know he would do the same thing for me.”

Johnson, a three-sport standout, holds offers from Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State, TCU, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Arizona State, Florida State, Virginia Tech, Washington State and Georgia Tech. He’s the top dual-threat passer in the Midwest in the class of 2023.

In his sophomore season the four-star prospect threw for 2,109 yards, 15 touchdowns and recorded 10 rushing touchdowns. He’s also a standout basketball and baseball player, helping the Eagles bring home its first ever basketball state championship.

“I got great teammates and a great supporting cast around me and I’m not going to take all the credit for myself,” Johnson said. “The people that get the least amount of credit are the five people in front of me and without them blocking for me and putting everything on the line for me I don’t think I would be where I am today.”

Edwards, a three-star prospect, holds offers from Kansas State, Kansas, Iowa State, TCU, West Virginia, Kentucky, Memphis, Tennessee Tech and North Texas.

In his sophomore campaign at Derby, he helped lead the Panthers to a state title, averaging 166 rushing yards a game and recording 25 touchdowns.

“With the help of my teammates and the linemen doing a great job, I put up some good numbers and won a state championship... I mean colleges take notice to that so it just came from working hard during the season and the outcome will come,” Edwards said.

The two friends grew up playing together, and now they have the opportunity to do so again at the Division I level, receiving multiple offers from the same schools.

“Our chemistry is definitely there so if we got to play at a DI school together, I mean it’s all about chemistry and relationships and our chemistry would be off the charts,” Johnson said.

No matter where their talents take them, they’ll remain close.

“It’s all about just being happy for each other and enjoying the ride,” Edwards said.

The two are embracing the journey and putting Wichita in the spotlight along the way.

“When you hear Kansas, you don’t think big football state,” Johnson said. “We definitely want to put Kansas on the map and help recruiting for our class and classes under us.”

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