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- Team Nitro head coach Herm Edwards talks with cornerback Jabrill Peppers (5), safety Jamal Adams (33) and lineman Edwin Freeman (15) during the second half at Tropicana Field. Team Highlight defeated the Team Nitro 31-21. Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
As we approach National Signing Day on Wednesday, today’s spotlight gives us a look at one of the newest Longhorn commits, Edwin Freeman. The Arlington Bowie hybrid safety has been a fan of Texas for a long time and seemed really close to committing several times throughout the year. With the turmoil in the coaching staff, Freeman held off and pulled the trigger once Charlie Strong was hired. In picking the Longhorns, he turned down offers from Texas A&M, TCU, Notre Dame, and Oklahoma.
At 6’1 and 215 lbs, Freeman has had questions about his role at the next level. Had he gone to an SEC school, I could see him as an in-the-box safety, but in the Big 12 he will probably play mostly at an outside linebacker spot. However, Freeman does have a skill set that suggests you can move him around a defense and use him as a rover in any 3-3-5 formations. I expect an innovative defensive mind like Strong to utilize Freeman in as many ways as possible.
Freeman is ranked 15th overall in the state and 125th in the Rivals 250 Rankings, and was named to the Under Armor All American Game. The Horns certainly have needs at both Safety and Linebacker and as we’ve seen over the past few seasons, could use more players willing to tackle. I had not watched a lot of film on Freeman before he committed, but I really got excited these last few weeks digesting as much video as I could.
Film Analysis:
Freeman explodes quickly out of his stance and plays with good leverage. He’s incredibly quick in diagnosing plays and knifing through the gaps to blow up plays in the backfield. The most obvious thing about Freeman is he’s a violent tackler with great technique. He’s not a lower the shoulder type, instead he plays low, wraps up and explodes through the collision. Freeman looks a little stiff in his hips in coverage although there isn’t a ton of film showing him in deep coverage. He has great sideline to sideline ability and shows good lateral mobility. The most underrated part of his game may be his work in traffic where he deftly sorts through the chaos to make his way through blocks. Freeman also shows an exceptional ability to strip the ball and has a non-stop motor. The young man has a great frame with wide shoulders that should allow him to add weight in transition to linebacker.
Final Verdict:
I really like this pickup late in the recruiting cycle and think Freeman is exactly the type of guy Charlie Strong is looking for. I don’t know if Freeman has star ability, but this is a guy who can consistently be one of the best players on defenses because of his versatility alone. Get him on campus and into the weight room and let him play. He’s not the type that will explode in a camp setting, but he plays the game hard and well.
