Edwards attended Pascagoula High School, where he played at cornerback. As a senior, he had 61 tackles, 4 interceptions and 14 passes defensed. He received All-American and All-state honors. He accepted a football scholarship from Florida State University. As a sophomore, he was a backup at right cornerback, tallying 14 tackles, 3 passes defensed and one fumble recovery. After missing the 1997 season as a redshirt, he became a two-year starter at left cornerback. As a junior, he started the final 10 games, registering 20 tackles, 6 interceptions, 11 passes defensed and helping the team earn a No. 1 national ranking in pass defense. Against Wake Forest University, he set a school and tied a conference record, by making 4 interceptions in a single-game. He played in the NationalChampionship game, where the Seminoles lost to the University of Tennessee. As a senior, he posted 19 tackles and 9 passes defensed, while being a part of the 1999 national championship team.
Professional career
Dallas Cowboys
Edwards was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round with the 180th overall of the 2000 NFL Draft, after he dropped because of a poor performance in the 1998 Fiesta Bowl, combined with injuries and inconsistent play in his senior season. As a rookie, he played mainly on special teams, making 11 tackles. In the final game he started at left cornerback against the Tennessee Titans, registering 3 tackles and one pass defensed. Edwards became the team's regular starter at left cornerback in 2001, helping the team rank third in pass defense in the NFL. He had 58 tackles, 11 passes defensed. He returned his first career interception 71 yards for a touchdown against the New York Giants. In 2002, he registered 72 tackles, 2 interceptions and 8 passes defensed. While with the Cowboys, he started 47 games, posting 178 tackles, 4 interceptions, 28 passes defensed and was part of the statistically ranked number one overall defense in 2003.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
On April 9, 2004, Edwards signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a free agent. He spent only one season with the team, playing in 15 games and receiving 3 starts when the team opened in a nickel defense. He was released on March 1, 2005.
Miami Dolphins
On April 4, 2005, he signed with the Miami Dolphins to provide depth after Patrick Surtain was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs. He was waived prior to the start of the season on September 4, 2005.
Edwards's son, Mario Jr., also played for Florida State University and like his father, won a national championship with the Seminoles. He currently plays defensive tackle for the New Orleans Saints of the NFL. He is also the father of Dalen, Angel, and Gianni Edwards.
