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Julian Edelman on former rival Sean McVay: “He’s a stud”

By Patrick Morgan

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 30: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots reacts before a game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 30: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots reacts before a game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman doesn’t remember facing Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay in college, but he still admires him from afar.

It’s not often that two ex-members of the Mid-American Conference, or MAC, go on to compete at the highest level of professional football in the NFL.

It’s rarer still to find them pitted against one another at the Super Bowl – but that’s exactly what will happen on February 3, when Sean McVay’s Rams take on Julian Edelman’s Patriots with a world championship on the line.

Back in college, Edelman didn’t even play receiver; he was actually starting quarterback for the Kent State Golden Flashes from 2006-2008. His career overlapped that of Sean McVay, wide receiver for the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks from 2004-2007.

The two young football savants crossed swords twice.

The first time, in September of 2006, Edelman passed for 244 yards with a touchdown and a pick. He also was the team’s second-leading rusher, with 12 carries for 61 yards and another score. On the other sideline, McVay also finished No. 2 on his team, but as a receiver with 4 catches for 47 yards. Kent State ended up winning the game 16-14.

In the sequel, Edelman threw for 260 yards but was picked off twice and held out of the end zone altogether… although he did finish the game as Kent State’s top rusher with 22 carries for 93 yards – good for a 4.2 yards a pop average, which ain’t too shabby. McVay was Miami’s fourth-best option that day, snagging just 3 balls for 27 yards. The RedHawks did end up with the 20-13 victory, though.

NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 4: Head Coach Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams jogs off the field before a game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 4, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints defeated the Rams 45-35. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 4: Head Coach Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams jogs off the field before a game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 4, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints defeated the Rams 45-35. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

For what it’s worth, Edelman can’t for the life of him remember anything about McVay from playing against him in college… though he has nothing but respect for the NFL’s youngest head coach (who just turned 33 on Thursday).

“He’s a stud. He’s my age, and he’s leading an organization to a Super Bowl. It’s unbelievable,” Edelman told reporters Friday. “I love seeing it. He’s a MAC guy. So, you know that Coach McVay and that coaching staff is going to have that team ready, and we’re going to have to take advantage of the preparation time that we have and get ready too.”

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A lot has changed for McVay and Edelman since their days of suiting up and competing in Division I collegiate football. It’s now Edelman, not McVay, who makes his living plucking passes out of the air. And McVay’s hands are now filled with clipboards, tablets, and playsheets rather than pigskins.

One thing hasn’t changed though, and that’s the common desire shared by both men to go out on the gridiron, give it their best, and come away with a ‘W.’

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