Freitag to announce pick Monday

Buford (Ga.) three-star tight end Kurt Freitag will announce Monday night whether he will sign with Alabama or Florida. However, the coaching staffs at those schools already know where he is headed.

"I told them last week," Freitag said

Friday night following his team's state semifinal win over Columbus Carver.

Based on the praise Freitag threw at each program, the decision might not have been an easy one to make.

"Alabama just has a great coaching staff," the 6-feet-4, 250-pounder said. "It's a prestigious coaching staff. They've got great tradition. It's a lot like the school I'm going to now. Florida has a whole new coaching staff and Will Muschamp is a great guy. Derek Lewis is a great guy. Charlie Weis is a great guy. All the coaches, I can't say enough about them."

Not only does Freitag like the respective coaching staffs at both schools, he also likes how each plans to use him in its offense, he said. Freitag already has taken officials to Alabama and Florida, and he estimated he has been to each "four or five times" total. Coincidentally, his visit to Florida was the weekend the Gators played host to Alabama in early October. The Tide won that game handily.

On Friday night, Freitag made a significant impact on both sides of the football, catching several passes at tight end and making numerous stops as a defensive end. Buford trailed early before pulling away to win 28-13.

"I think I played pretty well," Freitag said. "We talked about how each person had to play their role tonight. When we went in the lockerroom [losing at the half], we just talked about it and had poise. No one was upset. No one was worried about anything. We came out here in the second half and did what we had to do."

Freitag made two diving receptions and two other difficult grabs, proving he can do more than block.

"We're actually more of a power running team," he said. "But when our coach calls the play, I just try to do the best I can with it."