Freeman turns heads in Hoover

HOOVER, Ala. - Niceville, Fla. running back Devon Freeman has not gotten as much attention as some of the other top players in the Sunshine State this year, but he proved this weekend that he is worthy of that mention. Freeman made play after play in the Southeastern Select 7-on-7 tournament in Hoover this weekend.

"We came out kind of flat the first two days," Freeman said. "We really cam out and played much better today, I think we got things together. There were some great players out here. Mitch Mustain was really impressive, but our quarterback John Paul Fraities was as good as anyone out here."

The 5-foot-10, 199-pound Freeman attended the NIKE camp in Tallahassee where he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.61 seconds, the shuttle in 4.38 seconds and posted a 28-inch vertical jump.

"Ole Miss is still my only offer, but some other schools out there are starting to pick it up some," Freeman said. "AUburn, Clemson, North Carolina and Alabama are all schools that I'm hearing from a lot. I'me hearing some from Miami too. Ole Miss is still recruiting me the hardest. I get handwritten letters from them all of the time."

As a junior Freeman carried the ball 179 times for 1,179 yards and 13 touchdowns. He went on to earn class 5A first team all-state honors.

"Auburn is my No. 1 school without question right now," Freeman said. "Ole Miss is hanging right there at No. 2. I'm also looking at Miami, Clemson and North Carolina pretty hard. I'm still keeping my options open though, unless Auburn offers, then it is all over because I will commit on the spot."

In addition to the Tallahassee NIKE camp Freeman has attended camps at Auburn and Ole Miss and winded things up in Hoover this weekend and will begin focusing on the season.

"I'm looking for a school where I can get along well with the coaches," Freeman said. "I think that's why I like Auburn so much because I get along so well with coach Gran and the other guys and they have a great program. I'm still working on my game trying to get stronger and faster trying to take it to the next level."

In Hoover this weekend Freeman helped lead Niceville to an upset of powerhouse Shreveport (La.) Evangel Christian and all the way to quarterfinals where they ran into a buzz saw in DUncan (SC) Byrnes.