Gus Edwards Bio
Augustus Edwards (born April 13, 1995) is a Liberian professional football running back currently playing in the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing around 238 pounds, he is known by the nickname “Gus the Bus” for his large frame and physical running style. Edwards played college football for the Miami Hurricanes and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights before signing with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2018. He later joined the Los Angeles Chargers in March 2024.
Early Life and Background
Augustus Edwards was born in Monrovia, Liberia, on April 13, 1995, during the First Liberian Civil War, a conflict that displaced many families across the country. When he was five years old, he moved to the United States with his family, settling in Staten Island, New York. He attended Tottenville High School, where he developed into a physical running back known for his size and toughness.
As a high school prospect, Edwards earned a three-star recruiting rating from ESPN, 247Sports.com, Rivals.com, and Scout.com. He initially committed verbally to Syracuse, but a coaching change led him to reopen his recruitment. Edwards then chose to play college football at the University of Miami, beginning his collegiate path in 2013.
Path to American Football
Edwards played college football at the University of Miami from 2013 through the 2016 season, working his way into a depth role within the Hurricanes backfield. After his time at Miami, he transferred to Rutgers as a graduate transfer for the 2017 season, where he suited up for the Scarlet Knights. His performance in college, combined with his size and downhill running style, helped him earn an opportunity at the professional level.
Following the 2018 NFL Draft, Edwards signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent on May 4, 2018. He was waived on September 1, 2018, and signed to the practice squad the following day, then promoted to the active roster on October 13, 2018. His path from undrafted free agent to contributor reflected the persistence that has defined his professional journey.
Gus Edwards Career
Early Career (2018-2019)
Edwards made his professional debut in Week 6 of the 2018 season against the Tennessee Titans, rushing for 42 yards on 10 carries in a 21-0 Baltimore victory. Later that season, he recorded 17 carries for 115 yards and a touchdown in a Week 11 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, and followed it up with 23 carries for 118 yards against the Oakland Raiders. He became the first Ravens rookie running back to post back-to-back 100-yard rushing games since Jamal Lewis in 2000, finishing his rookie year as Baltimore’s leading rusher with 718 yards and two touchdowns.
In 2019, Edwards continued to serve as a key piece of the Ravens’ backfield. He posted 133 carries for 711 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns across the season, including a 130-yard performance on 21 carries in a Week 17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. He established himself as a reliable power runner within Baltimore’s offense.
Baltimore Ravens Breakthrough (2020-2023)
Edwards signed a one-year exclusive-rights free agent tender with the Ravens on July 28, 2020, and went on to play all 16 games that season, starting six. He finished 2020 with 144 carries for 723 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns, adding nine receptions for 129 receiving yards. In March 2021, the Ravens placed a second-round restricted free agent tender on Edwards, and he signed a two-year, $10 million contract extension on June 7, 2021.
His 2021 season was cut short on September 9 when he suffered a torn ACL in practice and was placed on injured reserve. Edwards began the 2022 campaign on the reserve/PUP list before being activated on October 22, and he scored two rushing touchdowns against the Cleveland Browns in his first game back. In 2023, he became the Ravens’ lead back after J.K. Dobbins tore his Achilles in Week 1, posting career highs across the board with 198 carries, 810 rushing yards, 13 rushing touchdowns, 12 receptions, and 180 receiving yards. His 13 rushing touchdowns ranked fifth in the NFL that season.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2024-2025)
On March 13, 2024, Edwards signed a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Chargers. He entered Week 1 as the starting running back and split time with J.K. Dobbins before losing the starting role as Dobbins emerged. On October 12, 2024, Edwards was placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury, and he was activated ahead of the Week 10 matchup against the Tennessee Titans on November 9, 2024. He was released by the Chargers on March 10, 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
Edwards is widely recognized for his bruising, physical run style that wears down defenses and controls the line of scrimmage. His combination of size, balance, and short-area burst makes him most effective in short-yardage and goal-line situations, where he can leverage his power to fall forward. He complements that power with reliable hands as a check-down option, and his downhill mentality has allowed him to thrive in gap- and power-based rushing schemes.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his career highlights, Edwards became the first Ravens rookie running back since Jamal Lewis in 2000 to post back-to-back 100-yard rushing games. In 2023, he set career highs in carries, rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, receptions, and receiving yards, with his 13 rushing touchdowns ranking fifth in the NFL. He also recorded a career-long 80-yard reception against the Detroit Lions in 2023, the longest of his professional career.
Gus Edwards Career Wins
While win totals are most commonly tracked at the team level in football, Edwards has been a steady contributor on offenses that have reached the postseason and recorded notable individual performances across multiple seasons. His career has been defined less by championship trophies and more by consistent production in a featured back role, with multiple 700-yard rushing seasons and a career-high 13-touchdown campaign in 2023.
NFL Regular Season Highlights
Edwards’s most memorable individual win came in 2023, when he set career highs in carries (198), rushing yards (810), rushing touchdowns (13), receptions (12), and receiving yards (180), including a career-best three-touchdown performance against the Arizona Cardinals. Earlier, in 2018, he finished the season as the Ravens’ leading rusher and helped Baltimore reach the playoffs, where he made his postseason debut against the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card Round.
Other Performances
Across his career, Edwards has produced multiple games with more than 100 rushing yards, including standout performances against the Cincinnati Bengals, Oakland Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans, and Dallas Cowboys. He has been a dependable short-yardage and goal-line back throughout his NFL tenure.
Gus Edwards Family
Family Background and Heritage
Edwards was born in Monrovia, Liberia, during the First Liberian Civil War. At the age of five, he relocated to the United States with his family, eventually settling in Staten Island, New York. His Liberian heritage and upbringing in the United States shaped the path that took him from Monrovia to the NFL.
Personal Life
Edwards maintains a public presence on social media, where he shares insights from his football career. Beyond the details verified through public sources, additional personal life information is not widely documented.
2025 Season Outlook
Edwards entered 2025 as a free agent after being released by the Los Angeles Chargers on March 10, 2025, following the expiration of his two-year contract. His career resume, including a 13-touchdown 2023 campaign and multiple 700-yard seasons, positions him as a candidate to add value to a team in need of a physical, short-yardage back. Whether he lands with a new organization or returns in another capacity, his skill set remains in demand for offenses that emphasize downhill running.
Should he sign with a team for the 2025 season, Edwards is likely to be deployed in a complementary role, focusing on goal-line carries, short-yardage situations, and pass protection. His track record of durability and production in heavy workloads suggests he can still contribute meaningful snaps. His next chapter in the NFL will depend on finding the right scheme fit.