Since cracking the starting lineup as an offensive lineman for Central Washington University (CWU) in 2022, Yelm High School graduate and current CWU student Slade Edwards has made vast strides on the gridiron and earned numerous accolades along the way.
Following the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, Edwards, a redshirt junior for the Wildcats, earned the title of Lone Star Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year along with a first-team nod on the D2CCA All-Region list. Edwards was also a Don Hansen All-American honorable mention, and for the second consecutive season he was voted by fans as CWU’s Offensive Player of the Year.
After the 2023-24 season, Edwards earned second-team All Lone Star Conference honors and was yet again a Don Hansen All-American honorable mention. He also made the D2CCA All-West Region team, according to CWU’s roster biography of Edwards.
“A lot of work has gone into it. It’s been a buildup of four years of work. This will be my fifth year. I’ve been grinding with this team for the longest time,” Edwards said. “My coaches have helped me along the way. When you come in as a freshman, you don’t really know a lot. The guidance of elite coaching has gotten me here, along with my own personal skills. It’s been awesome to go on this ride, and I have one more season to enjoy. I’m going to try and make the best of it.”
Edwards, a 6-foot-2-inch, 270-pound center, led the way on CWU’s offensive line to an 8-4 overall season, which included wins against Western New Mexico, 36-0, Eastern New Mexico, 44-28, 66-0 against Sul Ross State, and 14-3 against Western Oregon on senior day.
CWU was eliminated from the playoffs in the opening round after a 28-21 loss to Western Colorado. Despite the early postseason exit, Edwards said he was proud of his team and especially the group of seniors. He said it was special to have one last ride with them.
“Entering this season, we were coming off of a hot streak the previous season, which included some success in the playoffs. Coming back this year, we were an older team. We had 20-something seniors. We had our whole O-line returning and our entire defense. We had a strong fall ball and started the season strong, too,” Edwards said. “We had a couple tough losses that could’ve been turned around with different actions on the field, but we still took it to the playoffs. We were happy about that, but we were hoping to go a little bit further.”
Edwards, who isn’t the most vocal individual on or off the football field, has enjoyed the quiet life of Ellensburg. He said he enjoys staying hidden away and pushing himself while working at his own pace.
“I’ve learned that I like the small life. I’m not a big city boy. I like staying away. I’m not a very vocal or loud person, which if you reflected to sports, I’m the same way. I like to lead, but I’m not vocal. I lead with my actions by trying to do everything the right way, and that’s how I do it over here,” Edwards said. “I want to show people that you don’t have to be vocal to be a good leader.”
Entering his final season of eligibility at CWU, Edwards said he has a number of goals that he and the team are working toward. The reigning LSC Lineman of the Year said he’d like to once again win that award and earn consensus All-American honors.
“My goal for the team is to win the Lone Star Conference. It’s something that we’ve been after for three years, and I finally want to win that thing. We’ve been second place twice in a row now, and second place isn’t very fun when the trophy is right there,” Edwards said. “Personal accolades are pretty cool, but when you’re actually chasing that big trophy for the natty, it’s entirely something different. When we made that big run two seasons ago, it was awesome and I loved every moment of it.”
Edwards, like many collegiate football players, hopes to see his playing days continue even after his time in Ellensburg concludes.
“It’s a dream for anyone who plays football. I don’t care where I’ll go. I’d go play in Europe if they asked me to or if it’s available,” Edwards said. “If there’s good success this season, and I’m still feeling good, I’d definitely train for it if that’s an opportunity.”
Edwards, who will graduate in the spring with his mechanical engineering technology degree, said he will not stress himself out with an “all-or-nothing” mentality regarding playing professional football.
“I’m not going to stress myself out by thinking I have to make it there, though. I set myself up with a pretty good degree, and there’s some pretty good jobs out there that I could get myself into,” Edwards said. “It’s a little more applied than mechanical engineering, but I’m having a blast. This is my senior year, so I’ll be done in the spring. Obviously I’ll have my fifth year for football, but I’m on my senior sequence, so I’m kind of cruising along.
“It doesn’t matter where you come from or how big you are. If you put in the work and take your time, trust the process, people will find you if you’re good enough,” Edwards added. “A lot of people are transferring to different places because they’re looking for that big opportunity, but if you can play they’ll find you.”
