Freeney wants Aggies to offer

Aldine (Texas) Eisenhower defensive end Paul Freeney combines the size, strength and speed needed to live on the edge in Division I college football.

“I can pretty much do it all on defense,” he said. “I have the speed to get outside and can also stop the run. I just go 100-percent all the time. I’ve gained about 10 pounds during the offseason and feel comfortable getting a little bigger.”

Freeney (6-4, 240-pounds) has been offered by Oklahoma and Kansas to date, and is being pursued by the likes of TCU, Texas A&M and Florida State.

Does he have a favorite?

“I want to stay close to home and I think that Texas A&M is close to offering,” he said. “In my mind I think that if they offered – I’d take it.”

After battling the basketball bug for years, Freeney has committed to football while throwing the shot-put and discus for the Eisenhower track team during the spring. He will anchor a senior-laden team that has high expectations for 2005.

“He’s our No. 1 prospect next year and will be a three-year player for us,” Ike head coach Richard Carson said. “Paul was the best player in this district last year and is getting a lot stronger this offseason. In the past he’s used his athletic ability and speed, which he got from playing basketball. He didn’t play basketball and has focused on getting stronger and more physical.”

Freeney’s cousin Damien Freeney plays at Tyler Junior College, which illustrates his football bloodlines.

“He comes from a family of good athletes, so he’s a big-time prospect,” Carson said.