Blake Freeland Bio
Blake Freeland (born May 3, 2001) is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Brigham Young University (BYU) Cougars before entering the professional ranks in 2023. Selected in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Freeland has emerged as a young developmental lineman with notable athletic tools for the position.
Standing 6 feet 8 inches tall and listed at 302 pounds, Freeland combines rare size with the kind of movement skills more commonly associated with smaller athletes. His early professional trajectory, combined with a respected college pedigree, has positioned him as a player to watch along the Indianapolis offensive line.
Early Life and Background
Blake Freeland was born on May 3, 2001, in Herriman, Utah, where he grew up in a household steeped in athletics. He is the son of Jim Freeland and Debbie (Diamond) Freeland, both of whom were multi-sport athletes at Brigham Young University in the 1990s. His father, Jim, played linebacker for the BYU Cougars, while his mother, Debbie, competed in basketball and volleyball at the same institution.
That athletic lineage shaped Freeland’s early development and gave him a clear view of what competitive college sports demand. Growing up in Herriman allowed him to train in a familiar environment, with family members nearby who understood the discipline required at higher levels. The combination of supportive parents and a strong local football culture helped set the stage for his later progression through the ranks.
Path to American Football
Freeland attended Herriman High School, where he emerged as a versatile and physically gifted prospect. During his sophomore and junior seasons, he lined up at quarterback, demonstrating arm talent and field awareness well beyond his years. As a senior, he transitioned to tight end and defensive end, a move that showcased his size, athleticism, and willingness to embrace multiple roles on the field.
That positional flexibility proved valuable as he prepared for the next level. Following his high school career, Freeland committed to Brigham Young University, where he suited up for the BYU Cougars from 2019 to 2022. He developed into one of the more recognizable offensive line prospects in the program, eventually earning Third-team All-American honors in 2022.
Blake Freeland Career
Early Career (2019–2022, BYU)
Freeland’s college career at Brigham Young University spanned four seasons, during which he steadily built his reputation as a dependable offensive lineman. He played for the BYU Cougars in a program known for producing NFL-caliber trench players, and his combination of length, mobility, and technique drew attention from professional scouts.
His senior campaign in 2022 marked his most decorated collegiate year. Freeland was recognized as a Third-team All-American, an honor that reflected his consistent play and growth across multiple seasons. That recognition helped cement his status as an early-to-mid round NFL prospect heading into the 2023 cycle.
NFL Breakthrough (2023 Season)
Freeland’s ascent to the professional level officially began at the NFL Scouting Combine, where he recorded a 37-inch vertical jump, setting a Combine record for an offensive lineman. That performance underlined the unique athletic profile that had defined his career and gave teams added reason to invest a draft pick in his upside.
The Indianapolis Colts selected Freeland in the fourth round, 106th overall, of the 2023 NFL Draft. He made his first NFL start on October 1, 2023, filling in at left tackle after an injury to Colts starter Bernhard Raimann. After two starts on the left side, Freeland moved to right tackle, where he started seven of the final 12 games in place of an injured Braden Smith, showing the positional versatility that had marked his path since high school.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2023–Present)
Since joining Indianapolis, Blake Freeland has remained with the Colts as an active member of the offensive line group. Through the 2025 season, he had appeared in 25 career games with nine starts, a workload that reflects the team’s willingness to deploy him in spot-start duty while continuing his development.
On August 18, 2025, Freeland was placed on season-ending injured reserve, cutting short his 2025 campaign. The placement underscored both his standing within the offensive line room and the physical demands of playing offensive tackle at the NFL level. Even with the injury setback, his trajectory within Indianapolis remains a point of focus for the franchise.
Driving Style and Strengths
Freeland’s profile is built on unusual movement skills for a 6-foot-8 offensive lineman. His Combine-record vertical for the position highlighted his lower-body explosion, and his history of playing quarterback and tight end translated into comfort in space. At the NFL level, his strengths have shown up most clearly in pass protection situations where quick footwork and length are decisive.
Notable Events and Milestones
The headline milestone of Freeland’s young career is his NFL Combine vertical jump record for offensive linemen, an indicator of his rare athleticism. He also reached the milestone of his first NFL start on October 1, 2023, and finished his rookie season starting seven of the final 12 games at right tackle, demonstrating trust from the Indianapolis coaching staff.
Blake Freeland Career Wins
As an offensive lineman, Blake Freeland’s professional résumé is measured less by individual win totals and more by career starts, games played, and the development of technique at the NFL level. His most recognized accolades to date include his Third-team All-American selection in 2022 and his Combine-record vertical jump for an offensive lineman.
Other Wins & Performances
Freeland’s pre-draft performance at the 2023 NFL Combine stands as one of the most talked-about showings of his career. His Combine-record vertical jump for an offensive lineman remains the defining athletic metric tied to his name, and his steady rise from high school quarterback to NFL starter reflects sustained competitive production.
Blake Freeland Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Blake Freeland comes from a strong athletic family. His father, Jim Freeland, played linebacker at Brigham Young University in the 1990s, while his mother, Debbie (Diamond) Freeland, competed in basketball and volleyball at BYU during the same era. That dual-sport pedigree helped shape Blake’s approach to training and competition from a young age.
Personal Life
Freeland grew up in Herriman, Utah, the same community where he attended Herriman High School. His parents, Jim and Debbie Freeland, have remained central figures in his life and athletic development, providing a direct link to the BYU football tradition that he would later join as a player.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a challenging stretch for Blake Freeland and the Indianapolis Colts offensive line. Heading into the year, Freeland was expected to continue building on the momentum of his 2023 starts and his prior special teams and rotational work, with the Colts counting on his versatility at both tackle spots.
His campaign, however, was cut short on August 18, 2025, when he was placed on season-ending injured reserve. The placement halted any momentum he had built during the offseason and underscored the physical toll of professional play at the offensive tackle position.
Looking beyond the injury, Freeland remains part of the Indianapolis Colts’ longer-term plans along the offensive line. His combination of size, athletic testing, and starting experience at both tackle positions gives the team a flexible piece to develop, and his recovery will be a storyline worth tracking into the next league year.