Kalimba Edwards facts for kids
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| Position: | Defensive end | ||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||
| Born: | December 26, 1979 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | ||||||||||
| Weight: | 265 lb (120 kg) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| High school: | East Point (GA) Tri-Cities | ||||||||||
| College: | South Carolina (1998-2001) | ||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 2002 / Round: 2 / Pick: 35 | ||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||
Kalimba Edwards, born on December 26, 1979, is a former American professional football player. He played as a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). Kalimba played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks. The Detroit Lions picked him in the second round of the 2002 NFL draft. He also played for the Oakland Raiders.
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Kalimba Edwards' College Football Journey
Kalimba Edwards played college football at the University of South Carolina. He was a very important player for their team.
Sophomore Year Success
During his second year, Kalimba started every game as a defensive end. This position is key for stopping the other team's offense. He made 64 tackles and had five sacks. A sack is when a defensive player tackles the opposing team's quarterback behind the line of scrimmage. His great play earned him an All-American selection. This means he was recognized as one of the best college football players in the country.
Junior Year Highlights
In his third year, Kalimba changed positions to linebacker. Linebackers are also important defensive players who can tackle, rush the passer, or cover receivers. He finished third on his team with 74 tackles. He also tied for the most sacks with seven. For his efforts, he was named a third-team All-American by the Associated Press. He was also a first-team choice for the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
Senior Year and Awards
During his final year, Kalimba played both linebacker and defensive end. He was a semifinalist for two major awards: the Lombardi Trophy and the Butkus Award. These awards go to the best college football linemen and linebackers. He ended the season with 79 tackles and 3.5 sacks. He also earned another first-team All-SEC selection.
Kalimba Edwards' Professional Football Career
After a successful college career, Kalimba Edwards moved on to play in the NFL. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions.
Playing for the Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions chose Kalimba Edwards in the second round of the 2002 NFL draft. This meant he was one of the top players picked that year.
Rookie Season Impact
In his first year with the Lions (2002), Kalimba played in all 16 games. He quickly became a key player. He led the team in sacks with 6.5. This was a strong start to his professional career.
Leading the Team in Sacks Again
In 2005, Kalimba once again led the Lions in sacks, this time with seven. He was a consistent force on their defense. The Lions released him on March 13, 2008. He finished his time with the Lions having made 160 tackles and 26 sacks.
Time with the Oakland Raiders
After leaving the Lions, Kalimba Edwards signed with the Oakland Raiders.
One Season with the Raiders
On March 28, 2008, the Oakland Raiders signed Kalimba to a two-year contract. He played one season with the team. He started 11 of 14 games. During that season, he recorded 48 tackles and five sacks. The Raiders released him on February 20, 2009.
Kalimba Edwards' NFL Career Statistics Summary
Throughout his NFL career, Kalimba Edwards played in 101 games. He made a total of 212 tackles. He also recorded 31.0 sacks. Kalimba was good at forcing turnovers, with 10 forced fumbles and 10 fumble recoveries. He also had 11 Pass deflections, which means he batted down passes from the opposing quarterback.
