THE RISE OF TREY FINNEY: St. Pius X freshman gaining national attention

HOUSTON — At just 15 years old, Trey Finney III is already turning heads on the recruiting trail.

The 5-foot-9, do-it-all freshman was a second-team all-district selection for Dekaney High School this past fall. Since the end of his freshman football season, Finney has already pulled in double-digit Division I offers, a testament to his elite speed, versatility, and football IQ. He's also transferred to St. Pius X.

“I really don’t like to limit myself,” he said. “That’s why I consider myself an athlete. I can play receiver or cornerback. Travis Hunter has paved the way for guys like me to play both ways. If you have the talent and the heart for it, you can never come off the field.”

While Finney shines under the Friday night lights, he’s equally impressive in the classroom. Now at St. Pius X, he’s embracing the academic rigor with a perfect 4.0 GPA.

“I came to St. Pius X because I’m really big on academics,” Finney said. “I want to be challenged in the classroom, and this school gives me that.”

He’s also a self-described bookworm, recently finishing the entire Game of Thrones book series. In his downtime, you might catch him deep into anime adventures.

“I’m really into Naruto and Luffy from One Piece,” he laughed. “That type of adventure genre is my thing.”

New head coach Shaun Stephens is fired up about Finney joining the program — not just for his athleticism, but for who he is as a person.

“The kid enjoys the process,” Stephens said. “He understands that greatness is built in the dark. He pushes himself every day — in the classroom, on the field, and in the weight room. He’s competitive in every sense of the word.”

Stephens added, “He can score from anywhere on the field, and then flip to defense and lock down your best receiver.”

Finney’s spring and summer will be packed with visits, including trips to Miami, Georgia, Baylor, and Purdue before the end of the school year. But he’s not caught up in the hype.

“I’m not chasing a logo,” he said. “I’m not chasing the money. I’m looking for fit, culture, and the right coach.”

It’s that mindset — paired with elite talent — that sets Finney apart as one of the most intriguing freshmen in the country.