ANALYSIS
Positives: Has solid upper-body development with a wide chest and the frame that can add at least 15 pounds with no loss of quickness … Combative type with outstanding explosion off the snap … Quick-twitch player with the ability to quickly diagnose the plays … Has a strong anchor vs. the run, using vicious arm swipes to combat constant combination blocks … Uses his hands with aggression to shed and disengage … Active in pursuit, showing a fluid lateral slide … Strong tackler when he stays low in his pads … Intense pass rusher with excellent power behind his initial thrust … Keeps his hands active to prevent blockers from latching on … Will close and deliver the big hit flushing out the quarterback … One-gap type who will chase down plays with vigor.
Negatives: Gets too high in his stance at times, losing balance when trying to anchor … Tends to get over-aggressive at times as he tries to outmuscle rather than using his array of spin moves … Sometimes loses concentration during the game … Lacks the wide, natural base to play in a two-gap system … Will overpursue, losing leverage in the process.
CAREER NOTES
A four-year starter and one of the top-rated defensive linemen in the nation … One of the anchors of UAB's "Steel Shield" defensive front, Freeman is a terrific pass rusher who played every position on the defensive line during his UAB career … Finished with 184 tackles (107 solos), 14½ sacks for minus 134 yards and 36 stops for losses of 187 yards while also causing four fumbles, recovering three others and deflecting 15 passes.
2001 SEASON
Lined up at weak-side defensive tackle … Recorded 55 tackles (32 solos) with three sacks for minus-18 yards and 10 stops for losses of 31 yards … Caused a fumble and deflected three passes … Also had six quarterback pressures.
* Preseason - Sat out spring drills after undergoing left foot surgery (had screw inserted).
* Montana State - Opened the season with five tackles and three stops behind the line of scrimmage.
* Florida State - Had a 6-yard sack and four hits (three solos).
* Southern Mississippi - Added seven tackles (six solos) and a stop for a 2-yard loss.
* Central Florida - Registered a 5-yard sack.
* Cincinnati - Posted six tackles (four solos) and a stop for a 2-yard loss.
* Memphis - Deflected a pair of passes.
* Texas Christian - Caused a fumble on a 7-yard sack and made three tackles.
2000 SEASON
Started every game, shifting from nose guard to weak-side defensive tackle … Recorded 34 tackles (17 solos) with 5½ sacks for minus-49 yards and 10 stops for losses of 59 yards … Also had five pass deflections, 10 quarterback pressures, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
1999 SEASON
Started all year at nose guard, recording 54 tackles (38 solos), with two sacks for minus 27 yards and five stops for losses of 29 yards … Caused and recovered a fumble … Deflected four passes.
1998 SEASON
Played in every game, starting seven contests at nose guard … Finished with 39 tackles (20 solos), four sacks for minus-40 yards and 11 stops for losses of 68 yards … Deflected three passes.
1997 SEASON
Redshirted as a freshman … Moved from tight end to defensive end during spring practice.
AGILITY TESTS
4.91 in the 40-yard dash … 2.84 in the 20-yard dash … 1.73 in the 10-yard dash … 4.81 in the 20-yard shuttle … 7.85 in the three-cone drill … 34.5-inch vertical jump … 9 feet, 3 inches in the broad jump … Bench presses 225 pounds 32 times … 400-pound bench press … 33 ½-inch arm length … 9 1/2-inch hands … Right-handed.
HIGH SCHOOL
Four-year starter and letter-winner at B.C. Rain (Mobile, Ala.) High … Best of the Rest pick by Forrest Davis' Football Recruiting Annual … Mobile Press-Register Super 22 as a senior … Played tight end and defensive end … Caught 21 passes for 279 yards and two touchdowns as a senior … Had 29 tackles on defense … Had 26 receptions for 312 yards and two touchdowns as a junior.
PERSONAL
Mass Communications major … Named to UAB Athletic Director's Academic Honor Roll for the winter 1999 quarter … Son of Francis and Eddie Freeman … Born Jan. 4, 1978 … Resides in Mobile, Ala.
