Dwight Freeney

In 2002, the Indianapolis Colts spent the 11th pick of the NFL draft on a defensive end out of Syracuse by the name of Dwight Freeney. To no ones surprise, this was a good pick because Dwight had shown at every level that he was a solid player.

Dwight started his playing career in a high school in Connecticut where he set the school record for sacks with 120 in three years. If you stop to think about that, that is 40 sacks a year; this is a remarkable achievement. From there he went on to Syracuse University where he continued his excellence at getting to the quarterback. In his four years at the university, Dwight sacked the quarterback 34 times and forced 14 fumbles, another skill Dwight is very good at. The achievements he had in college are what led to him being drafted in the NFL. The Colts are glad they picked him.

In Dwight’s rookie season he had an immediate impact, setting a rookie record for forced fumbles with nine in that year. One of the ways he does that is with the way he gets to the quarterback with a very effective spin move and strips the ball. Dwight is still in the early stages of his very promising career, which everyone expects to be great. He is already the fastest player to ever get 40 sacks, since sacks have been an official stat of the NFL.

So, only seven years into his career with one season cut short by injuries, Dwight looks to be at the start of what could be a Hall Of Fame career. Time and performance will tell.