FB's Jerrell Freeman signs free-agent deal with Titans

04/27/08

 #8 Jerrell Freeman is the first UMHB football player to sign an NFL contract

Belton, TX- University of Mary Hardin-Baylor linebacker Jerrell Freeman will become the first Cru football player to get a shot at the National Football League after Freeman signed a free-agent deal with the Tennessee Titans shortly after the completion of the NFL draft today. Freeman will report to the Titans for rookie orientation on Thursday as he becomes the first UMHB player to sign an NFL contract. Freeman says the Titans plan to look at him as a coverage linebacker, safety and special teams player.

"They called me at the end of the draft and said they had been looking at me and wanted to know if I want to sign a deal with them," Freeman said. "It's been wild, but I am excited about having this opportunity."

Freeman was a four-year letterman 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.

"We are so excited that Jerrell will get a chance to go into the NFL," Cru head coach Pete Fredenburg said. "This also gives us a great opportunity to think about all the things that he contributed to our program during his four years here."