Excitement surrounds Finley during homecoming
EX-DIBOLL AND UT FOOTBALLER AWAITING NEXT STOP
By Russell Payne Sports Editor

Finley talks to the press on Friday at Temple Elementary school in Diboll. Finley is just over a week away from finding out his new NFLhome.

Last Friday, it was quite obvious to all of the children in the cafeteria of Temple Elementary that something was going on. Some of the kids knew the rather tall man who was causing all the commotion. Surrounded by cameras and a group of grown men, he certainly stood out at 6 feet 4 inches and around 250 pounds.

The children were not quite sure, but they knew this looked important. As the group made its way to a table in the lunch room voices clearly became more vocal upon the entrance of Diboll's own Jermichael Finley.

The 2005 graduate of Diboll High School and former Lumberjack standout in just about every sport had come home to visit family, friends and meet with kids in the community.

That is exactly what Finley did on Friday, starting his visit at the very elementary school he had once attended and then stopping in at the Boys and Girls Club of Diboll.

Finley was excited to be back at his childhood stomping ground "it feels good, because I remember the position that I was in going to the schools," Finley remarked.

The former Jack and University of Texas standout was just returning from Philadelphia where he had been meeting with the Eagles. Finley has worked out for several National Football League teams this spring.

Other than the Eagles, Finley has worked out for the New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, and a personal workout for the Jacksonville Jaguars Head Coach Jack Del Rio. Finley has also had a visit with the Cleveland Browns. More teams are likely to express interest in Finley heading up to the April 26 NFLDraft.

When asked who he wanted to play for Finley said, "whoever picks me, I want to go," he continued, "I am going to train hard."

Finley is extremely excited about his prospects heading up to draft day.

"Every boy wants to be in an NFLor NBA player, so it's a nice experience," Finley said.

When that very important phone call comes it will come right here to Diboll, Texas, where Finley will enjoy draft day with his family, and most importantly his grandmother Clara Mitchell.

The values that Finley brings to the table and he says it best, "I just kept my head right and fulfilled my dream."

His status has been the topic of several discussions coming off of what some deemed a disappointing NFLCombine workout in Indianapolis. He has since looked more positive with his Pro Day Workout at the University of Texas and individual team workouts in more recent weeks.

Finley is projected by several sources to be drafted on the first day of the NFLDraft, which is the day where rounds one and two are conducted.

Sporting News Magazine calls Finley, a "fluid athlete with refined receiving skills." They also feel as do most other NFLexperts that Finley is a sure fire help to the right team, however it may come as an H-back and not as a tight end, which Finley only played 16 games at the University of Texas.

Regardless of where Finley plays, the day is coming for the local standout and it is coming very soon.

As Finley said so well, "You just have to take it in and seize the moment."