Jerrell Freeman
Encyclopedia
Jerrell Freeman is a professional Canadian football
linebacker
for the Saskatchewan Roughriders
of the Canadian Football League
. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Tennessee Titans
in 2008. He played college football
for the Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders under the direction of Coach Pete Fredenburg, and was twice named a D3football.com All-American, including being honored as the 2007 D3football.com Defensive Player of the Year.
. Although he was not drafted he was signed by the Tennessee Titans
immediately following the conclusion of the draft. He became the first Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders to be offered an NFL contract. Jerrell Freeman was released by the Titans prior to the start of the 2008 NFL season
.
of the CFL
. In the 2009 CFL season
Jerrell Freeman was used primarilly as a special teams tackler, recording a team high 25 special teams tackles. He was nominated as the teams Most Outstanding Rookie. In his second season with the Riders Freeman saw more time as a regular linebacker. He made the starting lineup for one game in the regular season and started in two playoff games and the Grey Cup. Jerrell Freeman won CFL Defensive Player of the Week honors in week 7 after recording 3 sacks against the BC Lions
. He lead the team in sacks by the end of the season with 7.
The 2011 season
was a breakout year for Freeman. Freeman lead the CFL in tackles with 105. Freeman won CFL Defensive Player of the Week in week 10 and earned CFL Defensive Player of the Month for the month of September.
Canadian football
Canadian football is a form of gridiron football played exclusively in Canada in which two teams of 12 players each compete for territorial control of a field of play long and wide attempting to advance a pointed prolate spheroid ball into the opposing team's scoring area...
linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
for the Saskatchewan Roughriders
Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a Canadian Football League team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. They were founded in 1910. They play their home games at 2940 10th Avenue in Regina, which has been the team's home base for its entire history, even prior to the construction of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor...
of the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
in 2008. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
for the Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders under the direction of Coach Pete Fredenburg, and was twice named a D3football.com All-American, including being honored as the 2007 D3football.com Defensive Player of the Year.
College
Freeman played four seasons of collegiate football for the Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders and was twice named a D3football.com All-American, including being honored as the 2007 D3football.com Defensive Player of the Year. When he graduated he left as the schools all-time leading tackler. In his senior year he had 59 tackles, 18 tackles for a loss and six quarterback sacks.Tennessee Titans
Jerrell Freeman declared himself eligible for the 2008 NFL Draft2008 NFL Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26 and April 27, 2008. For the 29th consecutive year, ESPN televised the draft; the NFL Network also broadcast the event, its third year doing so...
. Although he was not drafted he was signed by the Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
immediately following the conclusion of the draft. He became the first Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders to be offered an NFL contract. Jerrell Freeman was released by the Titans prior to the start of the 2008 NFL season
2008 NFL season
The 2008 NFL season was the 89th regular season of the National Football League, themed with the slogan "Believe in Now."Super Bowl XLIII, the league's championship game, was at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on February 1, 2009, with the Pittsburgh Steelers coming out victorious over the...
.
Saskatchewan Roughriders
In March 2009 Freeman signed with the Saskatchewan RoughridersSaskatchewan Roughriders
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a Canadian Football League team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. They were founded in 1910. They play their home games at 2940 10th Avenue in Regina, which has been the team's home base for its entire history, even prior to the construction of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor...
of the CFL
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
. In the 2009 CFL season
2009 CFL season
The 2009 CFL season was the 56th season of modern professional Canadian football. Officially, it was the 52nd season of the Canadian Football League. The Montreal Alouettes won the 97th Grey Cup on November 29 with a last second 28–27 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders...
Jerrell Freeman was used primarilly as a special teams tackler, recording a team high 25 special teams tackles. He was nominated as the teams Most Outstanding Rookie. In his second season with the Riders Freeman saw more time as a regular linebacker. He made the starting lineup for one game in the regular season and started in two playoff games and the Grey Cup. Jerrell Freeman won CFL Defensive Player of the Week honors in week 7 after recording 3 sacks against the BC Lions
BC Lions
The BC Lions are a professional Canadian football team competing in the West Division of Canadian Football League . Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Lions play their home games at BC Place Stadium in Downtown Vancouver, having previously played at Empire Stadium in East Vancouver from 1954...
. He lead the team in sacks by the end of the season with 7.
The 2011 season
2011 CFL season
The 2011 CFL season was the 58th season of modern Canadian professional football. Officially, it was the 54th season of the league. The complete schedule was released on February 18 and featured the defending Grey Cup champion Montreal Alouettes opening the season against the visiting BC Lions on...
was a breakout year for Freeman. Freeman lead the CFL in tackles with 105. Freeman won CFL Defensive Player of the Week in week 10 and earned CFL Defensive Player of the Month for the month of September.