2026 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Braeden Edwards, OT, Liberty

• Name: Braeden Edwards
• Position: OT
• College: Northwestern/Liberty
• Height: 6’6
• Weight: 318
• Twitter: @BraedenEdwards5
• Instagram: braeden.edwards4

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2026 NFL Draft?

Explosiveness and speed off the ball. I take pride in meeting the d lineman as opposed to letting him get into my chest first. Getting comfortable moving at high speed allows me to slow the game down mentally and maintain a physical/psychological edge as I continue to wear down the guy across from me

What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?

Wherever I land, I will treat everyone with the utmost respect and I am looking for camaraderie more than anything. I’m not a very vocal guy, but I enjoy being in good company and the presence of others no matter what we’re doing. While it’s easy to compare yourself to the next guy and feel disconnected from one another due to the nature of the game, I deeply appreciate the unique strengths each of us will bring to the table and I am looking to learn as much as possible from the vets and those before me

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be?

One cause I would donate to is better agriculture and food/water insecurities. The issue with this lies in distribution; not everyone gets food even though we grow more than enough to feed the entire world population right now. Everyone deserves access to clean food and water, something that is especially important for the billions who work hard and strain their minds/bodies everyday through what they do

Who was your role model?

My older brother is my role model. He was a quarterback for our high school team, so it works out for the offensive lineman in me to protect and love the brother behind me with the ball! However, his influence on me extends well beyond football and I can always turn to him for a different perspective on things, whether it be dating, how to manage my emotions, or even my fit for the day

Who is your favorite NFL team?

Whichever team that is willing to give me a chance! However, I was a Steelers fan growing up due to the killer B’s (Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, and LeVeon Bell). My second favorite team would be the Chicago Bears since my brother is currently working/living there and I lived in Evanston for 4 years

Who is the most underrated teammate at your school?

I have had many teammates who were underrated in a variety of ways, but for me, an underrated teammate is someone who universally gets along with all position groups, all backgrounds, and brings a smile to your face in the process. While there are many people who could be considered “underrated” when considering their athletic ability (a category I also belong in) there are two guys who, in my opinion, are the glue to the team and always had an open heart

Northwestern: Calvin Johnson. An electric WR, CJ was an amazing friend/teammate of mine. He was always cracking jokes and his laugh was distinctive in the locker room. We always knew when he was around and bringing the good vibes, especially since he got along with just about everybody

Liberty: Curtis Doirilus. A younger guy on the team, his heart and soul is even bigger than his body. He is the reason why I went to church again after many years, and he has a pure spirit to him. He is always smiling, always having a good time, always giving it his all, and always embracing his role despite not necessarily having the most physical gifts and appeal

What is your biggest pet peeve?

My biggest pet peeve is people being rude/impatient to those who serve them. Bad service is one thing, but outright rudeness for no reason is rather inconsiderate and selfish. One of the biggest telltale signs of what a person is about is how they treat everyone, from the janitor cleaning the halls to the CEOs and owners

Who is your favorite teacher ever?

This is extremely biased but my mother! She currently teaches AP Stat at the high school my brother and I went to and started her teaching journey almost 40 years ago. Throughout her years, she has taught college level math and was a professor at Upper Iowa for a bit. Besides her, other notable teachers include my AP Physics teacher Mr. Speichinger or my middle school band teacher Mr. Turner, both of whom have sadly passed away

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome?

It isn’t exactly a moment, but these past 5 seasons have been the hardest moments of my life, particularly in each season. Every year, there are high hopes of playing time and aspirations of finally getting your chance to shine, something that never came for me. As a PWO who got to college at the dawn of NIL and the portal, I knew that others who got recruited more heavily may have been more appealing to coaches, regardless of playing ability, raw talent, work ethic, knowledge of the playbook, and everything else that comes with being a complete ball player. However, I am extremely blessed to be in this position and it has undoubtedly made me a better man. I questioned myself and my faith in God/religion a bit, but I now know that God doesn’t make mistakes and everything will happen when it’s supposed to

If you could have any franchise restaurant in your house what would it be?

Blaze pizza for sure. Pizza isn’t necessarily my absolute favorite food (that title goes to mac n cheese or any cheesy/spicy dish), but it’s fully customizable and consistent every time. I love the explosion of flavors I get for the build your own pizzas

What is your favorite snack food?

My favorite snack food is sunflower seeds or any leftovers I have from other meals. I’m a big snacker and enjoy a good YouTube video while I eat

What is your degree in?

Anthropology. I took other courses in engineering, planetary science, and communication, but I ended up getting a degree in anthropology with an archaeology emphasis. It’s my second love right alongside astrophysics

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why?

1: Jesus. I wouldn’t ask him about his plan with my life and whether I get to enjoy a long career in the NFL, but I would enjoy hearing his perspective and healing ways. His glory is greater than our human minds can comprehend

2: Martin Luther King Jr. My father is from Alabama and was born in 1965, meaning his birth was near the end of the Civil Rights era. His mom and dad were born in 1911 and 1921 respectively, meaning we have a deep connection to the south. While his speeches are famous, I would want to share with him the current state of the world and ask him what he would do if he was alive and doing work in this current era

3: Mansa Musa. Many people might not know of this man, but he is the wealthiest person in human history. Hailing from the Malian empire, I would love to see a day in his life and see him on his travels

What is your biggest weakness?

My biggest mental weakness is overthinking and my physical weakness is flexibility. When trying to translate what I learn in the film room to the field, I find my head spinning as I try to correct too many things at one time instead of looking to master one thing at a time. For example, I’ll focus on footwork, hand leverage, the ID of the play, and many other things as I get to the line instead of simply trusting my training and falling back on the progress I have made