Augustus Edwards has faced more adversity in the last few months than he dealt with his entire high school career.
First, the star running back from Staten Island was suspended for Tottenville’s playoffs for a violation of team rules. Edwards, who had made a soft verbal commitment to Syracuse, was then blindsided by Orange head coach Doug Marrone and lead recruiter John Anselmo leaving for the Buffalo Bills.
Edwards, a 6-foot-1, 220-pound bulldozing back and consensus three-star recruit, watched Tottenville lose in the city championship game at Yankee Stadium, a contest the bruising and speedy back could have impacted. Then, he had to start his recruitment over again when Marrone and Anselmo bolted.
Edwards remained a soft verbal commit to Syracuse until Thursday, when he opted to de-commit and will pick either Miami or Florida State Wednesday on National Signing Day. Since Marrone left Syracuse, Edwards said he has met with coaches from the two ACC powers five times apiece.
He visited Florida State last weekend and is taking an official visit to Miami this weekend.
“It definitely opened my eyes about going away from home and making that an option,” Edwards said of Florida State.
Edwards declined to discuss his suspension, but did say indirectly it was a learning experience.
“It shows me I have to be careful and make right decisions,” he said. “It starts with this.”
* Xaverian running back Laray Smith could sign next week, with either Syracuse, Indiana or Connecticut, though there is the possibility he decides to run track and field in college instead of playing football.
Defensive back Travon Segure and two-way lineman Armani Garrick of Fort Hamilton will sign with Stony Brook next week, coach Danny Perez said.
Former Lincoln defensive tackle Wayne Williams of ASA J.C. in Brooklyn will sign with Syracuse on Wednesday.
Former Thomas Jefferson wide receiver Mark Thomas of Nassau Community College will sign with Kansas.
Cardinal Hayes wide receiver George Dawson will sign with Fordham, as will Brooklyn Tech wideout Kyvaune Brammer, who initially was committed to Buffalo.
Basketball
Kelvin Amayo, a wing who starred at NIA Prep (N.J.), has transferred to Iona from Marshall.
Cardinal Hayes junior guard Chris Robinson landed his first scholarship offer, from St. Peter’s.
SMU, St. John’s, Boston College, Wake Forest, West Virginia and Tennessee have begun recruiting Christ the King shooting guard Jon Severe, the top unsigned senior in the city.