Mike EdwardsSouth Team

• Never missed a game in his four-year career at Kentucky, playing in 51 games with 44 consecutive starts
• Helped the senior class win 29 games over the last four seasons, the second-most of any senior class since freshmen became eligible in 1972, trailing on the 2009 class with 30 wins
• Totaled 318 career tackles, just the 19th player in school history with 300 or more tackles
• Ranks second in UK history in tackles among defensive backs, behind only Darryl Bishop (348 from 1971-73)
• Three-time All-SEC member (2016, 2017, 2018)
• Thorpe Award Watch List (2017, 2018)
• Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List (2018)
• Became just the sixth player in school history with at least two INT returns for a TD … Charted a 66-yard INT return for a score on the first defensive possession of the MTSU game on Nov. 17, 2018 and had an INT for a TD as a freshman vs. Charlotte on Nov. 21, 2015
• His return in 2018 was UK’s first interception return for a TD since Marcus McWilson vs. Mississippi State in 2016 and longest INT return for a TD since Josh Forrest’s 81-yarder vs. Louisville in 2015
• Had 11 double-figure tackle games, including a career-high 15 vs. Georgia on Nov. 5, 2016
• Helped lead UK to three straight bowl games

SENIOR (2018): As a senior, ranked fourth on the team in tackles (76), second in TFLs (9.0), PBUs (6) and INTs (2). Had a career-high three TFL at Texas A&M on Oct. 5, 2018.

JUNIOR (2017): Phil Steele All-SEC First Team. Jim Thorpe Preseason Watch List. Started in all 13 games, giving him a streak of 31 consecutive starts. Led the team and ranked tied for ninth in the SEC in tackles per game with 7.5. Had a team-high four INTs and seven PBUs. Just the fourth player in school history to lead the team in both interceptions and tackles in the same season, joining Darryl Bishop in 1972, Quentus Cumby in 2002 and Danny Trevathan in 2011. Ranked 38th nationally and was third in the SEC in total interceptions (4). Ranked tied for 11th in the SEC in passes defended (.83 per game). Had five double-figure tackle games this season and nine in his career. Had 11 tackles and his first career QBH vs. Ole Miss. Recorded 10 tackles, one sack and 1.5 tackles for loss in the win over Tennessee. His end zone interception on the game's final play clinched the win over Eastern Michigan. Sealed UK's win over EKU with a late interception in the fourth quarter. Athlon Sports Preseason All-SEC Second Team Preseason All-SEC Third Team (Media). Preseason All-SEC Third Team (Coaches).

 

SOPHOMORE (2016): Started in all 13 games. Named second-team AP All-SEC and third-team by Athlon and Phil Steele. Led all SEC defensive backs in tackles with 100. Second on the team and seventh in the SEC in tackles per game with 7.7. Had a team-high tying three interceptions. Had two interceptions of Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson in the win over No. 11 Louisville, tying the record for most pickoffs in a Governor’s Cup game ... Also tied the record for most Governor’s Cup interceptions in a career. Named SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week after his performance vs. Louisville. Also had an interception vs. Austin Peay. Tied for 10th in the SEC in total passes defended with 11. Had 5.5 tackles for loss. Had 10 or more tackles in four games. Had a career-high 13 tackles against Georgia

 

REDSHIRT FRESHMAN (2015): Had a strong finish to his redshirt freshman campaign, playing in all 12 games and starting the final five of the year. Had 39 tackles, including two tackles for a loss. Added an interception, broke up two passes and forced a fumble. Had at least three tackles in his final six games, including seven tackles at Mississippi State and six at Georgia and Vanderbilt. Forced a fumble at Vandy and picked off his first career pass vs. Charlotte. Had a strong eight-tackle game vs. Tennessee, including his first career tackle for a loss. After his 20-yard interception return for a TD vs. Charlotte, was named SEC Freshman of the Week.

 

REDSHIRT (2014): Redshirt season

 

HIGH SCHOOL: A four-star prospect by Rivals and Scout, three-star prospect by 247Sports.com and ESPN. Ranked as the 14th-best prospect in the state of Ohio and 25th-best safety in the nation by Rivals and Scout ranked him the 29th best cornerback in the nation and 256th-best prospect in the country. Great senior season with seven interceptions, two fumble recoveries and 46 tackles to go along with 13.7 yards per punt return including three for touchdowns. Had two interceptions in his team’s first-round playoff game in 2013, helping the squad advance to the second round. Named first-team Division II All-Ohio as a defensive back. Had 92 tackles his junior year with five interceptions, including three returned for touchdowns and two fumbles forced. Returned nine kickoffs junior year for 248 yards and one touchdown. Was named special-mention all-state as a junior. Coached by Andre Parker. Four-sport athlete in high school. Also a guard on the basketball team and a shortstop in baseball. In track and field he was on the 4x100- and 4x400-meter relays and competed in the high jump. Chose UK over Louisville, Missouri, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Nebraska and Vanderbilt.

 

PERSONAL: Graduated in December with a degree in family sciences with a minor in criminology.