Colorado University Athletics
Duncanville Product Braylon Edwards Ready For Next Challenge
June 23, 2026 | Football
BOULDER — Before he became a Colorado Buffalo, Braylon Edwards learned how to fight.
Not on a football field, but in a boxing ring.
The freshman defensive back from Duncanville, Texas, spent much of his childhood boxing before eventually turning his full attention to football. While the gloves are gone, Edwards believes the lessons he learned in the ring continue to shape the way he plays the game today.
"Boxing definitely helped," Edwards said. "The hand quickness and things like that. I think of jamming a receiver like a boxing match. If I miss with my first hand, I've got to be ready to shoot my second hand. It helped me physically, too. In boxing, you're going to get hit, and you've got to keep going."
That toughness has followed Edwards throughout his football journey, from youth leagues in Texas to one of the nation's premier high school programs and now to Boulder at the Colorado football team.
His first impression of Colorado couldn't have been more different from home.
"It was a different feeling," Edwards said. "The scenery, the mountains, you don't really see that coming from Dallas. It's more buildings and stuff. Just seeing nature and the vibe around here, it was different."
At 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds, Edwards arrives at Colorado after a standout prep career that included stops at Wilmer-Hutchins and powerhouse Duncanville High School. Over 46 varsity games, he recorded 224 tackles, 37 pass breakups and seven interceptions while developing a reputation as a physical, versatile defensive back.
But football wasn't always the clear path.
"I was a very small kid my whole life," Edwards said. "I probably didn't hit my growth spurt until going into my junior year at Duncanville. That's when I realized I actually had a shot at playing Division I football."
That growth spurt coincided with his move to Duncanville, one of Texas' most successful football programs. Under head coach Reginald Samples, Edwards experienced an environment that closely resembled college football.
"Coach Samples runs a great program," Edwards said. "Everything, you've got to be early. We have a great lifting program. My first month there I gained like 20 pounds. It definitely prepared me in a big way."
The competition wasn't limited to Friday nights.
Edwards routinely faced elite talent in practice, including nationally ranked quarterbacks and receivers.
"Before we even got to game day, I was going against some of the best players in the country every day in practice," he said. "When I got to the game, the game was easier than practice."
The experience helped mold the playing style he now brings to Colorado.
"I would say relentless," Edwards said when describing his game. "Even if I'm undersized, I don't think anything can stop me. I'm definitely physical."
His path to Boulder was unique.
Unlike many recruits, Edwards never made an official visit to Colorado before signing. Instead, his trust was built through relationships and his longstanding belief in Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders.
"I believe in Coach Prime," Edwards said. "I played for him back in little league. He's still that same coach. He's still got that same trust and belief in me, and I put my faith in him. He's a God-fearing man. I'm a God-fearing man. I trusted that this was the best place for my career."
That trust also influenced his decision to graduate early and enroll at Colorado in January.
"I knew if I wanted to play as a freshman, it was going to come down to getting here early and getting that extra semester of work and weight training in," Edwards said.
The transition to college football has brought challenges, particularly in the weight room.
"I always thought I was a hard worker," Edwards said. "But when I got here, I learned it's not just about lifting the most weight. They really know the science behind everything. Every detail matters."
Edwards also quickly found mentors within the program.
Among those who made an impact were veteran defensive backs Ben Finneseth, Randon Fontenette and Naeten Mitchell.
"The first person I saw was Ben," Edwards said. "He's very team-oriented and always trying to help. Randon and Naeten have helped me on the football side, helping my IQ and teaching me little technical things."
The defensive backroom has also reinforced Edwards' understanding of the position.
He sees safety as one of the most important jobs on the field.
"The game pretty much always ends with a defensive back," Edwards said. "If somebody breaks free, I've got to put that fire out. As a safety, you're kind of the quarterback of the defense because you can see everything."
Off the field, Edwards enjoys a much different pace.
When he's not studying, practicing or watching film, he can usually be found playing video games, watching YouTube or freestyling.
"I can freestyle on pretty much any beat," he said with a smile.
His favorite artist is NBA YoungBoy, whose music serves as his soundtrack on game days.
"From the time I wake up until I walk into the stadium, it's NBA YoungBoy," Edwards said. "It gives me that mindset."
Family remains the foundation of everything he does.
"They taught me to do the right thing because somebody's always watching," Edwards said. "And they taught me to do my best in the classroom because football is going to end someday."
Those lessons fuel his motivation.
Growing up as one of eight siblings, Edwards understands the importance of representing something larger than himself.
"My mom was a single mother with a lot of kids," Edwards said. "I know I've got a village behind me. That's my why."
As he begins his Colorado career, Edwards' goals are straightforward.
Maximize every opportunity. Help the Buffaloes win. Become the best safety he can be.
And eventually, leave Boulder as one of the greatest to ever play the position.
"I want to be the greatest safety to leave here before I leave," Edwards said.
For now, though, he's focused on earning his place.
When asked what he hopes Colorado fans take away from his story, his answer reflected the same mindset that carried him from Texas to Boulder.
"They've got a player that's going to give everything for them," Edwards said. "When I'm committed, I'm committed. I'm fully locked in and ready to give Colorado everything I have."
A fitting description for a player whose movie title, if he could choose one, would be simple:
"Destined for Greatness."
Not on a football field, but in a boxing ring.
The freshman defensive back from Duncanville, Texas, spent much of his childhood boxing before eventually turning his full attention to football. While the gloves are gone, Edwards believes the lessons he learned in the ring continue to shape the way he plays the game today.
"Boxing definitely helped," Edwards said. "The hand quickness and things like that. I think of jamming a receiver like a boxing match. If I miss with my first hand, I've got to be ready to shoot my second hand. It helped me physically, too. In boxing, you're going to get hit, and you've got to keep going."
That toughness has followed Edwards throughout his football journey, from youth leagues in Texas to one of the nation's premier high school programs and now to Boulder at the Colorado football team.
His first impression of Colorado couldn't have been more different from home.
"It was a different feeling," Edwards said. "The scenery, the mountains, you don't really see that coming from Dallas. It's more buildings and stuff. Just seeing nature and the vibe around here, it was different."
At 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds, Edwards arrives at Colorado after a standout prep career that included stops at Wilmer-Hutchins and powerhouse Duncanville High School. Over 46 varsity games, he recorded 224 tackles, 37 pass breakups and seven interceptions while developing a reputation as a physical, versatile defensive back.
But football wasn't always the clear path.
"I was a very small kid my whole life," Edwards said. "I probably didn't hit my growth spurt until going into my junior year at Duncanville. That's when I realized I actually had a shot at playing Division I football."
That growth spurt coincided with his move to Duncanville, one of Texas' most successful football programs. Under head coach Reginald Samples, Edwards experienced an environment that closely resembled college football.
"Coach Samples runs a great program," Edwards said. "Everything, you've got to be early. We have a great lifting program. My first month there I gained like 20 pounds. It definitely prepared me in a big way."
The competition wasn't limited to Friday nights.
Edwards routinely faced elite talent in practice, including nationally ranked quarterbacks and receivers.
"Before we even got to game day, I was going against some of the best players in the country every day in practice," he said. "When I got to the game, the game was easier than practice."
The experience helped mold the playing style he now brings to Colorado.
"I would say relentless," Edwards said when describing his game. "Even if I'm undersized, I don't think anything can stop me. I'm definitely physical."
His path to Boulder was unique.
Unlike many recruits, Edwards never made an official visit to Colorado before signing. Instead, his trust was built through relationships and his longstanding belief in Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders.
"I believe in Coach Prime," Edwards said. "I played for him back in little league. He's still that same coach. He's still got that same trust and belief in me, and I put my faith in him. He's a God-fearing man. I'm a God-fearing man. I trusted that this was the best place for my career."
That trust also influenced his decision to graduate early and enroll at Colorado in January.
"I knew if I wanted to play as a freshman, it was going to come down to getting here early and getting that extra semester of work and weight training in," Edwards said.
The transition to college football has brought challenges, particularly in the weight room.
"I always thought I was a hard worker," Edwards said. "But when I got here, I learned it's not just about lifting the most weight. They really know the science behind everything. Every detail matters."
Edwards also quickly found mentors within the program.
Among those who made an impact were veteran defensive backs Ben Finneseth, Randon Fontenette and Naeten Mitchell.
"The first person I saw was Ben," Edwards said. "He's very team-oriented and always trying to help. Randon and Naeten have helped me on the football side, helping my IQ and teaching me little technical things."
The defensive backroom has also reinforced Edwards' understanding of the position.
He sees safety as one of the most important jobs on the field.
"The game pretty much always ends with a defensive back," Edwards said. "If somebody breaks free, I've got to put that fire out. As a safety, you're kind of the quarterback of the defense because you can see everything."
Off the field, Edwards enjoys a much different pace.
When he's not studying, practicing or watching film, he can usually be found playing video games, watching YouTube or freestyling.
"I can freestyle on pretty much any beat," he said with a smile.
His favorite artist is NBA YoungBoy, whose music serves as his soundtrack on game days.
"From the time I wake up until I walk into the stadium, it's NBA YoungBoy," Edwards said. "It gives me that mindset."
Family remains the foundation of everything he does.
"They taught me to do the right thing because somebody's always watching," Edwards said. "And they taught me to do my best in the classroom because football is going to end someday."
Those lessons fuel his motivation.
Growing up as one of eight siblings, Edwards understands the importance of representing something larger than himself.
"My mom was a single mother with a lot of kids," Edwards said. "I know I've got a village behind me. That's my why."
As he begins his Colorado career, Edwards' goals are straightforward.
Maximize every opportunity. Help the Buffaloes win. Become the best safety he can be.
And eventually, leave Boulder as one of the greatest to ever play the position.
"I want to be the greatest safety to leave here before I leave," Edwards said.
For now, though, he's focused on earning his place.
When asked what he hopes Colorado fans take away from his story, his answer reflected the same mindset that carried him from Texas to Boulder.
"They've got a player that's going to give everything for them," Edwards said. "When I'm committed, I'm committed. I'm fully locked in and ready to give Colorado everything I have."
A fitting description for a player whose movie title, if he could choose one, would be simple:
"Destined for Greatness."
Players Mentioned
DB
/ Football
S
/ Football
DB
/ Football
DB
/ FootballMonday, June 22
Saturday, April 11
Saturday, April 11
Saturday, April 11