Monroe Freeling is a 6’7, 315-pound offensive tackle from the University of Georgia who enrolled early in January 2023 after a standout high school career at Oceanside Collegiate Academy in Charleston, South Carolina. A former basketball player and All-American Bowl participant, Freeling helped power a high school offense that rushed for nearly 3,000 yards during his senior season and reached the SCHSL Class 2A Championship game. He arrived at Georgia at 295 pounds and has since grown into a 315-pound frame with room to continue adding functional strength. As a sophomore in 2024, he split time between right and left tackle, starting four games, before becoming a full-time starter in 2025. He earned SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors twice in 2025. He played through a left ankle injury suffered against Kentucky during the 2025 season, which shows a high level of durability and toughness.
Athletically, Freeling is a good overall mover with elite arm length and the ability to operate effectively in space. He carries his weight well and shows quick, choppy feet in pass protection. His initial pop at contact is noticeable, and when his technique is right, he can control reps with his length and grip strength. However, his overall play strength remains an area for development. He does not consistently generate displacement in the run game and can struggle to anchor against power. The athletic tools are clearly present, but added overall strength will be key to unlocking his full upside. Mentally, Freeling processes stunts and defensive line movement well, often reacting quickly to stunts and twists. While he can identify blitz looks at times, he has also missed blitzers from more complex pressure paths. His competitiveness stands out, particularly given that he played through injury for much of the 2025 season. Continued growth in recognition and consistency will help elevate his overall reliability.
His hand usage is a defining factor in his performance. When his hand placement is inside and properly timed, he shows the ability to lock out, steer defenders, and control the rep with a strong two-hand strike or, at times, use his inside arm to strike and leave his outside arm as a way to control the edge rusher. However, inconsistency in placement leads to lost leverage and vulnerability to counters. He can open his chest while timing punches, which exposes him to power rushers. Wide rushers can beat him to the spot because of inconsistent footwork. His anchor is marginal, as he can be walked back by power and occasionally loses to speed-to-power transitions. When his hands and feet are synced, he looks like a high-level tackle; when they are not, his effectiveness drops noticeably. He stops his feet at times after initial contact, which allows rushers to counter and win. In the run game, Freeling projects better in zone concepts than in gap or power schemes. He struggles to create vertical movement on drive blocks and is not particularly effective on combo blocks, often failing to generate consistent push at the point of attack. He has balance issues because of his tendency to have his head over his toes, which affects him in the run game. That said, he moves well laterally, can pull in space, and is an efficient climber to the second level. His hand placement at the second level can be inconsistent, and he does not always create displacement on first contact, but his movement skills make him a natural fit in a zone-heavy rushing attack. As a pass protector, Freeling flashes high-end reps. He shows good punch timing, can bait rushers into contact, and has the length to disrupt pass-rush plans. Improving his base, balance, and overall strength will be critical to consistently handling NFL-caliber rushers.
Scheme and Team Fit:
As a pass blocker, he has the versatility to be effective in many offenses, especially with time to develop. His run blocking is a work in progress, but zone rushing schemes, where he can use his ability to move in space and climb, will be effective. Teams like the Niners, Steeler,s and Rams could utilize him well.
NFL Player Comp: Broderick Jones
Stylistically, he resembles a bigger version of Broderick Jones, a similar toolsy Georgia tackle who entered the league with upside.
Projection: High-end Starter
Freeling has experience at both left and right tackle and projects best remaining at tackle at the next level. While some may consider a move inside, his length and athleticism are more valuable on the edge. Ideally, he would benefit from a developmental year, but given the league-wide demand for offensive tackles, he could see early playing time. I project him to be a low-end starter Y1, and with improved strength and technical refinement, he has the tools to develop into a high-end NFL starter by Year 3.
Grade: 5.1
Freeling carries a 5.1 grade with a curve (4.4 initial), projecting as an Early Day 2 selection with starter upside.
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