South Carolina Football’s GOAT Series: Top-12 defensive ends/EDGE players of all-time
By Kevin Miller
South Carolina Football’s No. 4 EDGE Player of All-Time:
Kalimba Edwards
One of just a handful of two-time All-Americans in South Carolina history, Kalimba Edwards (1998-2001) was a monster for Head Coach Lou Holtz and Defensive Coordinator Charlie Strong’s defenses. Edwards played sparingly as a freshman but was a major contributor for three more years in Columbia. His ’99 season showed signs of what he was capable of, and he was named an All-American in 2000 after he put together a 7-sack campaign and added 11 more tackles for loss.
As a senior in 2001, big Kalimba was asked to play more linebacker, so his sack totals dwindled. He still managed to set a career-high in tackles that season and hurried the quarterback 11 times on his way to another All-American honor. In the 2002 NFL Draft, Edwards was picked up in the early second round by the Detroit Lions, and he had a 7-year career that ended under mysterious circumstances. Many fans believe collusion was the cause as he was never re-signed after asking for more money.