University of Houston Athletics
Player Spotlight: #82 Biren Ealy
11/7/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 7, 2006
With the end of the fall semester of his senior year quickly approaching, #82 wide receiver Biren Ealy, reflects on his football career while awaiting the final regular season games as a Houston Cougar. Born in Clarksville, Tenn., but growing up as a Houstonian, Ealy was exposed to the game early, but with informal training.
"I started to play football at the age of four. All of the guys in my neighborhood would meet up, one person would throw the ball up and whoever caught it would try to make it to the other end of the grass while everybody else tried to tackle him."
After his exposure as a child, it would be years before Ealy would play organized ball. Yet, he started in junior high school, giving him a chance to perfect his skills. He then attended Cypress Falls High School where he was a PrepStar All-American selection.
Even after a bit of a late start, Ealy went on to play as a wide receiver at the University of Arizona from 2002-04 where he played in 29 games, including 11 starts, had 55 catches for 809 yards and six touchdowns in those three seasons.
Ealy returned home to Houston to play his final season with the Cougars where he has played in 10 games and started in two with 20 catches for 226 yards and three touchdowns.
"My family is here, and I have a good support system here. I am glad to be able to come back and play for a guy like Coach Briles and with an offense as powerful as ours."
Ealy is characterized by some as "a large target with great hands and deceptive speed," but to those who know him, he is just a cool, down to earth guy whose level of determination serves as motivation not only to his teammates, but also to many of the people he comes in contact with.
"I definitely wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth, but I was taught to always work hard for everything I got."
Ealy plans to share some of his experiences in football with children through both teaching and coaching upon graduating in May 2007. As for now, he is just taking it one practice at a time.
"We may already be bowl eligible, but we aren't satisfied. This season could be the season that turns around the whole program and I think that is what we are all striving for."
