From sidelines to standout: Brycen Edwards leads the defense

In 2022, the Lehigh football team took the field to face Lafayette College in the most-played rivalry game since 1884. 

On the sidelines sat a first-year linebacker whose only worry was staying warm in the sharp Pennsylvania fall breeze. 

Three years later, the same linebacker who remained on the sidelines as a first-year player is now preparing for his final career matchup as a defensive leader and NFL prospect. 

Brycen Edwards, a senior from Fredericksburg, Virginia, is heading into the last regular season game leading the Mountain Hawk’s defense with 80 tackles. The team is looking to extend its 11-0 record winning streak with one more game against Lafayette this Saturday.  

Despite additional pressure from scouts and potential playoff games looming, Edwards emphasized the importance of being focused on the present and earning more wins together with his teammates. 

He said the team does so by adopting a mindset referred to as “OMD,” or “one more day.” 

“We implemented something called ‘OMD,’” Edwards said. “One more day with the seniors, one more day with the team.”

He said the thought of holding onto time with this senior class, and not feeling any pressure from past or future games, are two factors that have driven success this season. 

Coach Kevin Cahill believes this method has helped the team succeed. 

And for the Mountain Hawks, they have no intention of taking a different approach ahead of the 161st rivalry matchup. 

“Our mindset won’t change,” Cahill said. “We know it’s going to be the work we put in on this day that shows up every Saturday.” 

Cahill reinforced the idea that the recipe for defeating Lafayette is to keep the mind focused on the present. He added that every week comes with hard work at practice and even after a win, the only thing to do is improve for next week. 

During a four-year streak from 1998-2001, Lehigh posted an outstanding 45-5 record with 12-win seasons in 1998 and 2000 and an 11-win season in 2001. 

For the first time since then, the Mountain Hawks have the opportunity to complete an undefeated regular season with a victory on Saturday. 

This success can lead to attention, which is the case for Edwards. 

His performance throughout his junior and senior seasons has earned him visits from professional scouts who track his play. 

Fellow senior linebacker Tyler Ochojski vouched for Edward’s ability as a player and a leader. 

“(Edwards) is a high-energy guy who does everything the right way,” Ochojski said. “A real leader by example.” 

Those traits, plus an interception and 170 tackles and counting over the last two years, have made Edwards a viable prospect.

When it comes to handling that pressure, however, Edwards’ method is to ignore it.

He’s adopted the team’s mindset of staying in the now. He said while being scouted is a great accomplishment, his main focus remains on making a run at the Patriot League Championship. 

Cahill said to achieve this, the team must work hard to get better each day this week and come into the game ready to play its best football.

For one last time, Edwards will patiently wait to lace up his cleats in the final game of the season. 

Ochojski said the Mountain Hawks look forward to competing in The Rivalry each season. 

“Being a part of the tradition is really cool, it’s something that drew my attention to coming here,” Ochojski said.

This Saturday, Edwards aims to make this final matchup his best yet.  

“I’m doing everything I can for this season,” Edwards said. “Sticking with what I’ve done and trusting the process, that’s everything.”