But when he found himself in a hospital's ICU ward with 60 stitches in his leg, he had to wonder--would he ever play football again?

His future had looked so bright. He was all-everything at Los Gatos High School, and by the time he played for the North squad in the 2002 Silicon Valley Youth Classic Charlie Wedemeyer High School All-Star Football Game he was already penciled in as the quarterback of the future at Stanford University.

After redshirting in his first season on The Farm, Edwards wasted little time making his presence known as a freshman at Stanford. He played his way into a starting role, then earned it back after suffering a jammed AC joint in his shoulder and a mild concussion against Washington State.

But it was a more serious injury suffered later in the year that caused the most concern. Edwards experienced compartment syndrome, a muscle injury that is not only limb-threatening but can be life-threatening.

Edwards had to undergo three surgeries in 10 days. He spent five days in ICU and 10 days in the hospital. Family and friends were worried about more than just his promising football career. Edwards, however, never really considered anything but returning for his sophomore season.

"It's definitely in the back of your mind," said Edwards about the prospect of not playing again. "But you don't really talk about it. And my doctors were all upbeat. I had great support and great doctors working on me."

It would be another couple of weeks after his release from the hospital that the stitches were removed, and he would spend the next three weeks on crutches. But he was in rehab after two and half weeks, and now he's back in the Stanford starting line-up.

Edwards played in eight games for Stanford as a redshirt freshman last fall, starting four. He completed 77 of 170 passes for 750 yards and four touchdowns. In his debut against San José State University, Edwards hooked up on 21 of 37 tosses for 278 yards and a couple of TDs to lead the Cardinal to victory and earn the starting job. A week later, he scored the winning touchdown against Brigham Young University.

For his efforts, he was selected by The Sporting News to the All-Pac 10 freshman team.

Edwards chose Stanford after a storied career playing for Butch Cattolico at Los Gatos High School.

He capped his outstanding high school career with an appearance in the Silicon Valley Youth Classic. The 30th edition of that summer classic will be played on July 21, 7:30 p.m., at San José City College. Local players set to compete in Wednesday's all-star game include offensive lineman Mike Van Orden of Homestead, wide receiver Gavin Zack of Monta Vista and defensive back Jonathan Price and linebacker Nykk Ramirez-Baker of Cupertino.

Edwards had a big night in the all-star game, completing 12 of 18 passes for 110 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for a touchdown. Still, not lost on the former Gatos great is the fact that the North lost the game 19-15.

"Yeah, some guys won't let me forget that," he laughed. "But I had a great time. It was a great opportunity and a great way to end my high school career."

And a great career it was. Now another seems to be just beginning.