And, apparently, Colonels' Coach Dean Hood and staff did.
"I was overwhelmed, first of all, with the program and, when they told me they had a spot for me if I wanted it, well ... words can't describe it," said Edwards. "They told me to just make a decision and let them know so I committed last weekend (during official visit)."
While it might seem like a hasty decision to choose EKU on the spot, Edwards said it was a no-brainer.
"Centre (a Division III school) is not the level of competition that Eastern is," he said. "Yes, there are good things academically that come along with Centre, but Eastern is a good school as well. Most importantly, I really just enjoyed the people so much there. They made me feel at home so much it just solidified my choice."
By signing on with EKU, Edwards joins a program with a winning tradition. The Colonels' football team concluded the 2008 season 8-4 overall while earning the program's 20th Ohio Valley Conference title and 31st consecutive winning season. The Colonels also own some national titles.
"It's exciting to play for a big-name school like Eastern," said Edwards. "They're either first or second in the country in consecutive winning seasons. They have a really good program and they've won two national championships. It's something that I'm really excited about."
"I can't stop thinking about it," he added. "I'm ready to go right now."
Lincoln coach Mike Settles, who was on hand for Edwards' public commitment to EKU Friday at Lincoln County High School, said Eastern was getting the total package in Edwards.
"He's got the whole package. He's intelligent. He's athletic," said Settles. "He's worked hard and he's just a great person. He had a goal to play college football and he's done everything he can in his power to make that happen."
Settles said Eastern is fortunate to have seen the talent and grabbed up Edwards.
"Eastern is a quality program and they saw talent," he said. "They knew about Trey before the season started. They saw on film that he's very aggressive and he's a playmaker. And I know that when those college guys are watching film they want to see productivity — and he's very productive."
And in many places. Edwards, Lincoln's starting quarterback, earned All-Area honors at linebacker after making 71 tackles for Lincoln last season. He did all that despite missing some of the season with a shoulder injury. Offensively, Edwards ran for 556 yards and nine touchdowns and threw for 840 yards and six touchdowns.
"He has the ability to play both sides of the ball and at many positions," Settles said. "When you think about the positions Trey played — quarterback, running back, inside linebacker, outside linebacker, snapper, punter, returner. He did a lot of things for us on the football team. He was very unselfish and did whatever we asked. He always put the team before himself and that's why he's successful."
Edwards' versatility is why Eastern has him down not under a position but as an athlete.
"They have me down as an athlete because I played different positions in high school," said Edwards. "I talked to Coach (John) Revere and Coach Hood and they said they put me down as an athlete because they didn't really have a certain position. They told me I'd probably start off at linebacker but, where I have size and some speed, that they would be able to move me around a lot."
By signing Edwards, Coach Hood and his staff eliminated any concern over academic eligibility.
Edwards, a Governor's Scholar who ranks in the top 10 of his class academically, has far exceeded eligibility requirements, scoring a 24 on the ACT.
The 24 did not stop Edwards from taking the test again last Saturday to try for a 25 or better — a fact that Settles says reaffirms how unselfish a person Edwards is.
"I want a good score so they don't have to give me football money," said Edwards. "If I get a 25 on the ACT, I get full tuition academically. That's what I'd like to happen but they're going to help me with football money if it doesn't. I'm just hoping I get the 25 so I can help them (EKU football program) by not needing their money."
Edwards will have to wait a couple weeks to find out the results of the ACT retake but, for now, he will devote his time to staying in shape for playing EKU football.
"I'm excited and ready to go now, but I'm keeping in shape by conditioning for baseball and lifting at the gym four to five times a week," he said.
Edwards, who is interested in majoring in either sports marketing or construction management at EKU, is the son of Mike Edwards and Lezli (Chris) Mattingly.
