Mario Edwards

2013 Outlook:Big, powerful defensive end, who was the No. 1 overall player in the class of 2012. Ended up earning valuable playing time in the second half of the 2012 season including starting the final two games. Displays good pass rushing skills and a good ability to play the run. Enters fall looking to solidify his spot as a starter.

2012: Appeared in 11 games and made his first career start in the ACC Championship Game replacing Cornellius Carradine...the only true freshman to register a start for FSU on the defensive side of the ball...came into the ACC Championship with seven tackles on the season and doubled that number in one game, registering seven versus the Yellow Jackets, including a tackle for loss...made three tackles and registered his first pass break-up against Northern Illinois in the Orange Bowl in his second career start...recorded his first career sack on the road in a win over Maryland...was projected to redshirt in 2012, but was forced into action due to the loss of Brandon Jenkins in week one and then into the starting line-up after losing Carradine in week 12.

PERSONAL:Near consensus top-rated prospect in America in 2012...USA Today defensive player of the year...ESPNU 150 member...2012 Parade All-American...SI.com Second Team All-American ...ESPNHS First Team All-American...247Sports Defensive Player of the Year for 2012 where he garnered a perfect 100 rating...one of just four players with a 100 rating from 247Sports...listed at No. 1 by ESPN, Scout and 247Sports...Rivals lists him at No. 3 nationally...five-stars from Rivals, Scout and 247Sports...unanimously ranked No. 1 at his position whether it be defensive end or defensive tackle...the top player coming out of the state of Texas...Scout said it is hard to find a player as big and explosive as Edwards...ESPN recruiting analyst Craig Haubert said Edwards can contribute almost immediately due to his ability to take advantage of blockers' weaknesses with a pass rush arsenal and a plan of attack when he rushes the quarterback...Haubert also said he is similar to Clemson's DeQuan Bowers at this stage of their careers...of his 72 tackles as a senior 32 were for a loss including 11 sacks...named the state of Texas Class 4A Defensive Player of the Year as a junior by the Associated Press...recorded 127 tackles, 50 tackles for loss and 18 sacks leading Denton Ryan to a state runner-up finish...recorded 69 tackles and three sacks as a freshman on top of catching 17 passes for 361 yards and three TDs...his high school coach raves about his work ethic as he and his father, former FSU star Mario Edwards, work out together at 6:00 a.m. each morning...says Edwards is the best he has coached in his 32-year career...Edwards will wear the same number (15) as his dad did at FSU...chose Florida State over Texas, Alabama, LSU, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, among others.