Stanford Football: 5 players to watch in spring game

September 12, 2015; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Bryce Love (20) scores a 93-yard touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Central Florida Knights at Stanford Stadium. The Cardinal defeated the Knights 31-7. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 7, 2015; Boulder, CO, USA; Stanford Cardinal safety Ben Edwards (9) pulls in a interception in the fourth quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field. The Cardinals defeated the Buffaloes 42-10. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Senior safeties Dallas Lloyd and Zach Hoffpauir are both graduated after playing key roles in the secondary in 2016.

For a team that ranked 25th nationally in passing efficiency defense, filling those holes is going to be critical. That creates an opportunity for junior safety Ben Edwards to finally step into a starting role. He has the most experience of any safety on the roster besides strong safety Justin Reid, his likely partner atop the depth chart.

As a sophomore, Edwards returned an interception 35 yards at Arizona to shift the momentum in a 34-10 victory. He also finished the year with three pass breakups and 29 tackles in limited duty.

With an expanded role, Edwards could quickly emerge as a force against the passing attacks of the Pac-12. Look to see how he patrols the field and how he operates in tandem with Reid and the cornerbacks during this year’s spring game.

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