Could Kyler Edwards be primed for a breakout season?

As the hopes for a successful football season slowly drop like the temperature on the south plains of west Texas, Texas Tech Red Raider fans find themselves counting down the days to the start of basketball season. With the graduation of sixth man and all-around-spark plug, Brandone Francis, Chris Beard will be looking to fill his spot this season.

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A possible solution to that void is one the more underrated players from last season’s team, Kyler Edwards. In just his freshman season, Edwards showed flashes of his offensive playmaking and shooting ability early, but gained confidence and improved defensively as the season went on. The 2019-2020 season has Edwards primed for a breakout season.

While during the regular season, he was utilized as a role player behind Francis, he showed up big when it mattered most in March. In the Elite Eight, Final Four and National Championship games, Edwards logged a total of 57 minutes, scored 26 points and three assists, against elite talent in Gonzaga, Michigan State and Virginia.

At 6 foot 4 and 200 pounds, the all-purpose and all-around guard can score with a deep jumper, but also has a very good drive game. His versatility and speed on the floor gives Beard an option at three different positions. Alongside Jahmius Ramsey and Davide Morretti, you could venture to say that Texas Tech has the best collection of guard talent in the Big 12.

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Edwards shooting alone has made him a threat to opposing teams, but another year in Chris Beard’s system to develop even more confidence in his defensive game could make him the best option to replace Francis in the sixth man role. In this role, Kyler Edwards will be a key piece to the puzzle for the 2019-2020 Red Raiders to achieve success.