Former Troy defensive end Zach Edwards is headed to Western Kentucky, he announced on Monday.

The 6-foot-3, 280-pound Edwards totaled 18 tackles and a sack in a part-time role for the Trojans in 2023. The Starkville, Miss., native spent the first four seasons of his career at Louisville, playing in a total of 11 games.

Edwards was expected to be a key component in 2024 for a Troy defense that lost most of its front seven production to graduation or the transfer portal following the departure of head coach Jon Sumrall to Tulane. However, Edwards left the program after the first week of spring practice and announced he was entering the portal.

Edwards joins a Western Kentucky program that has been to five straight bowl games as a member of Conference USA. The Hilltoppers went 8-5 in 2023, beating Old Dominion 38-35 in the Famous Toastery Bowl.

Edwards joined safety Keyshawn Swanson as projected defensive starters for the Trojans who have entered the portal since spring practice began. Swanson, a Pensacola, Fla., native, remains undecided on a destination.

Swanson’s younger brother, redshirt freshman safety A.J. Swanson, also left the program earlier this spring. He announced last week he was headed to Division II Edward Waters University in Jacksonville, Fla.

Troy, which has won two straight Sun Belt Conference championships, is currently winding up spring practice under first-year coach Gerad Parker. The Trojans hold their T-Day spring game on Saturday.