When Christian Edgar first stepped onto Rice University’s campus, he had one goal in mind: football. Track and field wasn’t part of the plan — until it was. A single moment, standing on the sidelines of a home track meet, changed everything.
“I saw that my time from high school would’ve done okay — not great, but okay,” Edgar recalled. “And that kind of first put the thought into my mind.”
By his sophomore year, that passing thought had turned into a full-blown commitment. Now, Edgar is balancing life as a slot receiver for the football team and a top hurdler for the track and field squad — a feat few athletes attempt, let alone master.
Balancing Acts and Breaking Barriers
Being a Division I athlete is demanding enough in one sport. Tackling two? That’s a different beast. Edgar juggles two rigorous training schedules, blending football’s physicality with track’s explosive speed work.
“We do weight room lifts Monday, Wednesday, and Friday,” Edgar explained. “Football runs are Tuesdays and Thursdays, but I was able to replace those with track runs instead. I’m still lifting with football, still around the facility, but instead of running football drills on the field, I’m running track.”
It wasn’t always this organized. Last year, the schedule was brutal. Missing football workouts wasn’t an option, which meant double training days — football in the morning, track in the afternoon, and sometimes back-to-back competitions.
“That took a toll on my body,” Edgar admitted. “I had to focus on nutrition and sleep to stay healthy. If I wasn’t eating enough or getting enough rest, it wasn’t going to work.”
Support from the Top
For a setup like this to work, communication is key — and Edgar made sure to stay in sync with both coaching staffs. Rice track and field head coach Jon Warren praised Edgar’s work ethic and self-management.
“Christian is in charge of making this work,” Warren said. “He communicates with the football staff and the track staff, and due to his diligence, it works well.”
The arrival of Rice’s new football coaching staff this year helped, too, creating a more flexible, sustainable schedule for Edgar. The shift allows him to give his best to both sports without burning out.
“He’s a big-time competitor who gives his all to both sports,” Warren added.
Two Sports, One Goal
Edgar doesn’t see football and track as separate pursuits. They’re two sides of the same coin, each making him better at the other.
“The obvious thing is speed,” Edgar said. “With track, you really train the top end of your speed. That’s helped me on the football field. Coaches love when people are fast — when they can see it on film.”
But the benefits go deeper than just speed. Track sharpens his mental toughness and refines his technique. Football fuels his competitive fire and builds resilience. Together, they create an athlete who’s faster, stronger, and sharper than ever.
“It’s not asking too much,” Warren said. “When you truly enjoy the training and competition of both sports — and I believe this absolutely applies to Christian — it works.”
For Edgar, this isn’t about proving something to anyone else. It’s about embracing the challenge, growing as an athlete, and seeing just how far his passion and dedication can take him.
