Prairie's Jarred Edmonds Verbally Commits to UNI

By Jeff Johnson and K.J. Pilcher, Reporters

Cedar Rapids Prairie's Jarred Edmonds evades a tackle by Nicholas Clark of Cedar Falls as he carries the ball on a fourth down for a first down during the second quarter at Prairie High School in Cedar Rapids on Friday, September 28, 2012. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette-KCRG TV9)

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By Grant Burkhardt

Story Created: Dec 12, 2012 at 6:26 PM CDT

Story Updated: Dec 12, 2012 at 6:49 PM CDT

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The Northern Iowa Panthers have had some pretty good luck recruiting wide receivers out of the Metro. You might remember some guy named Dedric Ward.

If Jarred Edmonds can go on to have half the career of the former Cedar Rapids Washington prep and NFL player, he should be happy. So should UNI.

Edmonds gave a verbal commitment Wednesday to play college football in Cedar Falls. The Cedar Rapids Prairie standout will sign his letter of intent Feb. 6.

“Pretty awesome. Very excited for him. I think he’ll have an outstanding college career,” said Prairie Coach Mike Morrissey. “Jarred will fit in very well with their scheme up there. He is a very dynamic player who is only going to get better. He is a total-effort kid who is going to really thrive at the receiver position now that he can focus on just that.”

Edmonds was a second-team pick in Class 4A on the INA all-state football team, catching 63 passes for 1,267 yards and 16 touchdowns. His yardage total was third in the state.

He also played defensive back for the Hawks, but make no mistake, it’s receiver he’ll play in college. He has good size at 6-foot-2 and will beef up from the 175 pounds he is now.

A message left for Edmonds was not immediately returned.