Mario Edwards Jr. went into his father’s custody at three months of age, just as his elder namesake finished his junior year of high school in Mississippi.

Mario Edwards Jr., the nation's top overall prospect in the 2012 class, is 247Sports' Defensive Player of the Year.

Realizing that the best chance to provide a desirable life for his son hinged on earning a college scholarship, Mario Edwards Sr. excelled en route to a spot at Florida State. He then parlayed a noteworthy college career into a five-year NFL stint (2000-05), the majority of which was spent with the Dallas Cowboys.

It doesn’t hurt that Edwards appears to have inherited the agility of his dad, who was listed at 6-foot, 200 pounds in the pros.

But for perhaps the better, Edwards doesn’t necessarily mirror his father, either. At 6-foot-3, 298 pounds, the defensive lineman at Ryan High School in Denton, Texas, plays a position of superior value in the football and recruiting world.

“He plays the zone read by himself,” Ryan defensive coordinator David Thomas said. “He can squeeze down on the fullback and make the quarterback pull it, then chase down the quarterback. There are things he can do that are special.”

Edwards has been named 247Sports’ 2012 Defensive Player of the Year for his class – which, for anyone who witnessed his performance in this month’s Under Armour All-American game and workouts, should come as no shock.

The showing elevated Edwards to the network’s No. 1 overall prospect ranking, ahead of three others who share a 100 rating.

“Going into the Under Armour week, I wanted to see if he took his game up a notch, and would he take all these one-on-one reps seriously,” 247Sports analyst Gerry Hamilton said. “Would he go out on the field and be the best player in the country, as some people had already said he was?

“I don’t think he took a rep off, and he dominated just about every guy in front of him. The only guy who stood a chance was Oregon State guard commitment Isaac Seumalo. Whether it was defensive line or tackle, he dominated. And in bag drills, he was impressive. Even in the game, he chased and pursued and did all the things you are looking for. To do that at 300 pounds sets him apart.”

As a senior, Edwards tallied 56 tackles -- including 28 tackles for loss -- 10 sacks and three forced fumbles. The previous season, he notched 127 tackles, 16 sacks and was named 4A Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press. His numbers dipped, Thomas said, because opponents increasingly constructed their game plan around Edwards.

“For some people, the expectation level is off the charts with him, so they think he’s not been as productive when he has been productive – especially considering they’re running away from him and quarterbacks are rolling away from him,” Hamilton said.

“The thing with Mario is how athletic and quick he is for a guy that size. His versatility at the next level will play a huge part in making him an elite player. You can play him at strong side end on first and second down, then make him a defensive tackle in passing situations. As time goes on, he’s going to be a 310-pound defensive tackle, and I think he has the chance to be a big-time tackle prospect.”

Edwards’ college career could be a chop off the ol’ block, too.

He committed to Mario Sr.’s alma mater, FSU, in March. After toying with other suitors and taking consecutive official visits to Texas and LSU this month, he publicly reaffirmed his pledge Monday evening.

Through Mario Sr.’s college tenure, Edwards lived in Mississippi with his grandmother and three of Mario Sr.’s siblings. But he likewise spent considerable time with his dad and members of FSU’s team.

Ryan coach Joey Florence has credited Mario Sr.’s influence on the work ethic, mental approach and energy evident in Edwards’ play.

“You don't give a baby a T-bone steak and turn him loose,” Mario Sr. once said. “You've got to feed him slowly and give him a little bit at a time. I just had to realize he was young and ahead of the curve. … He was always a man among boys.”

Alas, the proverbial big dog has devoured the high school and prep all-star ranks.

Edwards has easily eclipsed his father in physical and figurative stature. Now he has to go earn his college and NFL potential stripes amid elevated expectations

“We were playing Wylie in the state semifinals his junior year, and they were making a late drive with a chance to win the game,” Thomas said. “You think that at that point, guys are getting tired. They ran a play away from him toward our sideline, and he made the play all the way from the other side of the field.
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“When he played that first game here two years ago, I quickly realized he was the best I’ve ever coached, and I’ve been here 32 years. About 10, 11 years ago, we had some defensive ends who could really come off the edge fast – (eventual NFL players) Jarvis Moss and Brian Smith -- but they weren’t very big. Mario has great size along with speed and quickness, plus he plays hard. It’s that physical package along with the speed.”