FB's Jerrell Freeman named AFCA All-American

12/11/07

 AFCA All-American LB Jerrell Freeman

Belton, TX - University of Mary Hardin-Baylor linebacker Jerrell Freeman (Sr., Waco University HS) has been named to the American Football Coaches Association's Division III All-American Team released today. Freeman earns AFCA All-American honors for the second straight season and he is the fourth Cru player to earn a spot on the AFCA All-American Team. UMHB has now had a player selected to this prestigious team six times in the last seven seasons.

Freeman led the UMHB defense with 112 total tackles and added 18.5 tackles for loss this season. 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 this season. 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. He was also named First Team All-South Region by D3football.com earlier this fall. Freeman became UMHB's career leader in tackles this season, as well.

"Jerrell is obviously a tremendous player and we are so excited for him to be honored by the AFCA," Cru head coach Pete Fredenburg said. "But he is also just as good off the field. He has an incredible work ethic and has been such a leader for this program for the past four years."

The AFCA All-American Team is selected by a panel of head coaches from across the country and it is the only All-American Team selected exclusively by head coaches. The AFCA has selected an All-American Team every year since 1945. Freeman is one of just two ASC players voted to this year's squad, joining Mississippi College wide receiver Jake Allen.

The Cru finished the 2007 season with a 12-2 overall record and won the ASC championship with an 8-0 league mark. UMHB advanced to the NCAA Division III National Semifinals before falling to Wisconsin-Whitewater 16-7.

Freeman joins former UMHB MLB Preston Meyer, FS Tony Salazar, and OT Jeff Oliver as AFCA All-Americans. Meyer was selected in both 2001 and 2002, Salazar was named in 2003 and Oliver earned AFCA All-American honors in 2004.