Calgary, Alberta – Former University of Mary Hardin-Baylor football player Jerrell Freeman played for the Saskatchewan Rough Riders in the 2009 Grey Cup, the championship game of the Canadian Football League. Freeman, a rookie linebacker for the Rough Riders, played special teams as Saskatchewan fell to Montreal 28-27 on a last second field goal in the league title game. Freeman started one game at linebacker for the Rough Riders and finished the season with 40 total tackles, two fumble recoveries and a blocked punt return for a touchdown as one of Saskatchewan's top rookies.
Freeman was a four-year letterman at linebacker for the Cru from Waco University High School. He capped his career by being named D3football.com Defensive Player of the Year as a senior and he was named All-American by three different publications as a senior. Freeman also finished his career as UMHB's all-time leader in tackles and was a three-time American Southwest Conference All-Conference selection. Freeman led the UMHB defense with 112 total tackles and added 18.5 tackles for loss as a senior in 2007. He also posted 6.0 sacks, broke up seven passes, forced three fumbles and blocked a punt that he also returned for a touchdown. Freeman led a Cru defense that gave up just 16.2 points, 48.7 yards rushing, 223.8 yards passing and 272.5 yards of total offense per game. The Cru defense also set school records by forcing 54 turnovers and posting 55 sacks on the year. Freeman was named American Southwest Conference Defensive Player of the Year and also earned ASC First Team All-Conference honors.
Freeman is the first UMHB player to appear in the Canadian Football League. He also became the first Cru football alum to sign an NFL contract when he inked a free-agent deal with the Tennessee Titans in 2008. Freeman was one of the Titans final cuts in training camp that season.
