National Football Foundation

Duke University – S – Psychology – 3.35 GPA
Head Coach: David Cutcliffe | AD: Kevin White | FAR: Martha Putallaz

RECIPIENT OF THE JEFFERSON W. KIRBY SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD, ENDOWED BY THE F.M. KIRBY FOUNDATION

An exceptional example of excellence on and off the field, DeVon Edwards is one of only two active players who earned both All-America and Academic All-America honors in 2015. The team captain becomes the sixth NFF National Scholar-Athlete in Duke history.

A 2015 Second Team Academic All-American, Edwards graduated in May with a 3.35 GPA in psychology with a minor in markets and management. The two-time First Team Academic All-District selection is currently pursuing his master’s in liberal studies, where he maintains a 3.6 GPA. Edwards is a three-time member of the ACC All-Academic team and a four-time member of the ACC Academic Honor Roll.

A native of Covington, Ga., Edwards injured his knee during the Sept. 24 Notre Dame game, which ended his 44-game career at Duke with 327 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 10.5 quarterback sacks, five interceptions, six forced fumbles and 21 pass breakups. In addition, he returned 74 kickoffs for 2,060 yards for a 27.84 average and six touchdowns. Edwards closed his career ranking 17th on Duke’s all-time tackles chart while holding school career records for kickoff return average and kickoff returns for touchdowns.  His six kickoff returns for scores rank as the third most in NCAA history. A three-time All-America and All-ACC pick as a kick return specialist, Edwards also garnered all-league honors as a defensive back in each of the past two seasons. The four-time ACC Player of the Week led Duke to three consecutive bowl games and its first ACC Championship Game appearance in school history in 2013.

A member of the 2016 AFCA Good Works Team and a Wuerffel Trophy semifinalist, Edwards is active in the community and volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House every Thursday during the summer. He has also volunteered for the Boys & Girls Club, Bull City Fit and the Kid’s Club in Oxford Manor. Edwards has visited kids at Duke Children’s hospital, worked Durham Little League Football practices, mentored students at Duluth High School and participated in Duke’s campus trash clean-up program.

Edwards is currently the assistant director of Iron Dukes, an alumni association for Duke athletics.