The Leading Authority of the NFL Draft

1/25/09 - After a solid week of practice and a stellar performance on game day at the Senior Bowl, Freeman is starting to get his just due. The linebacker is no longer a blip on NFL team's radar, but is popping up like a Scud Missile emerging as one of the top linebacking prospects entering the draft. The 6-foot-2, 235-pound Freeman, a Wayne High School grad, led all defenders in Saturday's Senior Bowl with eight tackles, six of which were solo, in a losing cause for the North squad against the South. During a phone interview with Freeman on Sunday, the linebacker talked about his Senior Bowl experience: "To take part in this event was beneficial to me in so many ways," Freeman said. "Not only did it help me to showcase my talents in front of NFL scouts, but I got to learn from professional coaches. I also got to compete with the best players in the nation and made a lot of good friends. It was definitely a great experience."

1/23/09 - (Senior Bowl Practice Week): Marcus Freeman had trouble shedding blockers, although he did avoid Brandon Pettigrew in 11-on-11 as the former Cowboy was trying to block him. He will be a productive pro, but is likely limited to being a weakside linebacker in a 4-3 defense. Freeman is at his best playing in space, whether he is trying to avoid a block or make a tackle. He may be the best linebacker in coverage – so smooth and natural when dropping back.

7/20/08 -

Pros: Award winner James Laurinaitis overshadows Freeman in most quarters, but the outside linebacker has more than enough size and speed to be considered among the top linebacking prospects heading into the 2008 campaign. As a run stopper, Freeman’s speed allows him to close the gap between himself and the ball carrier before significant yardage is gained. His explosiveness allows him to get into the backfield against the run, yet he’s also strong enough to take on tight ends at the point of attack. He is a fluid athlete who moves well from side-to-side, which should allow him to play in pass coverage as well (five passes defended in ’07). In addition to his skills as a linebacker, he is a solid special teamer, playing on three separate units at OSU.

Cons: Not the most instinctive player, Freeman has improved in his recognition skills, but still relies on his athleticism a little too much. A knee injury caused him to miss virtually the entire 2005 campaign—he was hurt in the season opener and did not return, using up his medical red-shirt. Freeman has not shown much in terms of his blitzing skills, so do not expect him to be much of pass rusher at the next level. He does not have the upside that some of his fellow classmates possess—he’s more of a piece of the puzzle, not a building block.

Overall: He will make an ideal 4-3 outside linebacker and may be able to move inside in a 3-4 scheme at the next level. His strength makes him an ideal weakside player, but a season spent on the strong side as a sophomore adds to his versatility, as does his ability to play on special teams, Freeman will be an immediate contributor as he works his way into a starting role. A bright young man, the Big Ten All-Academic selection has already earned his degree (in December of 2007) and will be enrolled as a graduate student in 2008.

School Biography