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Former Texas linebacker Edwin Freeman announced on Twitter that he’ll finish his collegiate career at Florida International.
The former four-star recruit from Arlington, Texas, recorded 63 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions in 21 games as a Longhorn.
He arrived on campus as the 13th ranked outside linebacker in the 2014 recruiting class and started five contests in 2016.
The move helps fill a need for the Panthers as they lost starters Anthony Wint and Treyvon Williams at linebacker due to graduation heading into 2018.
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What should Panther fans expect from Freeman?
He’s a dynamic athlete at 6-2, 250-pounds bringing not only impressive size, but speed as well, as the former high school track and field star is clocked at a 4.5 40-yard-dash time.
While a triceps injury this off-season may have ended his time in Austin there’s no doubt that when healthy Freeman can be a force.
Arguably his best performance in burnt orange came in his first collegiate start. He recorded six tackles, with two for a loss including a sack, when Texas upset then-No. 8 Baylor 35-34 during his sophomore season.
With Freeman expected to start, the rest of Conference USA has to be on notice. FIU’s front seven now features talented LB Sage Lewis, preseason all-conference selection Fermin Silva, standout defensive tackle Anthony Johnson, former four-star recruits Tayland Humprhey and Teair Tart, and now Freeman.
The move also helps add depth on defense and will give defensive coordinator Brent Guy all the talent he needs to improve the 83rd ranked unit in total defense and 71st ranked in tackles for loss last season.
If anyone wondered if Butch Davis still has his recruiting chops after the seven-year gap between college jobs, the past 18 months since taking the FIU job should erase any doubts.
He’s secured the number one ranked recruiting class in Conference USA and has now added two highly touted graduate transfers.
There’s no question that the Panthers are in win-now mode, and the addition of Freeman should help make FIU a significant factor in the C-USA East race.