Player Spotlight: Antavian Edison

Story posted November 1, 2012 in CommRadio, Sports by Breanna Jacobs

Senior wide receiver Antavian Edison is looking to make a major impact this weekend as the Purdue Boilermakers welcome the Penn State Nittany Lions to West Lafayette.   

Edison made his debut with the team in 2009 as a freshman. He appeared in five games and had his only season reception against Toledo for a 15 yard touchdown.

In 2010, Edison began to show his offensive prowess and versatility. Edison appeared in all 12 games and started seven. He finished third on the team that year with 32 receptions for 316 yards. Edison also had a team-high four receiving touchdowns.

Edison’s best receiving game in 2010 came against Wisconsin. He had a season-high six receptions for 73 yards and touchdown against the Badgers.

Edison also rushed 36 times for 130 yards. Filling in at running back against Ball State, Edison had his best rushing game; he had eight carries for 55 yards.

In 2011, his junior season, Edison appeared in all 13 games and started six of those games. He led the team with 585 receiving yards and three touchdowns and he finished second on the team with 44 receptions on the season. Edison caught at least one pass in all 13 games and averaged 13.3 yards per reception.

Edison had a career-high 105 receiving yards on seven receptions in the Boilermakers’ game against Notre Dame. He also scored one receiving touchdown during the game.

Edison finished 2011 with 30 carries for a total of 124 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Edison’s best rushing game came against Indiana, where he had a season-high six carries for 26 yards and a touchdown.

In May 2012, Edison faced some off the field turmoil when he was arrested in his hometown of Fort Myers, Florida on suspicion of carrying a concealed weapon. In late May, the charges against Edison were dropped and coaches claimed that he had just been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Entering the 2012 season, Edison put his off the field troubles behind him and refocused on becoming one of the Boilermakers’ most dominant offensive threats. So far this season, he has 38 receptions for 432 yards and six touchdowns. He averages 11.4 yards per reception.

Edison’s best receiving games have come in wins against Eastern Michigan and Marshall. Against Eastern Michigan, Edison had five receptions for 78 yards and one touchdown.  Against Marshall, Edison hauled in six passes for 99 yards and one touchdown. Those 99 receiving yards are a season high.  

Although Purdue registered a loss against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Edison had a great receiving game. He hauled in 6 receptions for 50 yards and a season high two receiving touchdowns.

Edison is an athletic receiver that shows great understanding of Purdue’s offense. Edison’s speed and agility make him an outstanding receiver, capable of making big plays when needed. His versatility as a receiver and running back also make him an invaluable member of the Boilermakers offense.

Facing Big Ten rival Penn State on Saturday, Edison will look to show his offensive versatility and make an impact against the Nittany Lions’ defense.

Breanna Jacobs is a junior majoring in Broadcast Journalism. To contact her, e-mail: byj5032@psu.edu.