PROVO, Utah – BYU offensive lineman Blake Freeland was selected by the Indianapolis Colts with the fourth pick in the fourth round and 106th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft on Saturday.
“He’s a big-time playmaker,” said BYU head coach Kalani Sitake. “A lot of people know him for breaking the vertical jump record at the NFL Combine, but he’s been showing this type of athleticism since he was young. He was a basketball player and state champion in discus and shot put. His parents are also former BYU student-athletes, with his mom being an All-American, so it makes sense that he has great genetics. Blake still has so much potential. He has not hit his peak yet. It’s going to be a lot of fun to see him in the NFL.”
The 6-foot-8, 302-pound All-American from Herriman, Utah, started 41 games for the Cougars, including 26 consecutive games at left tackle the past two seasons.
Freeland is the 34th Cougar offensive lineman to be drafted overall. The last BYU offensive lineman drafted was Freeland’s former teammate, Consensus All-American Brady Christensen, who was selected in the third round, 70th overall, by the Carolina Panthers in 2021.
With his selection, Freeland becomes the 12th Cougar offensive lineman and the 31st BYU offensive player to be selected in one of the opening four rounds of the NFL Draft. Overall, he is the 55th BYU player to be taken in one of the first four rounds and the 15th former Cougar to be a fourth-round pick.
The last BYU selected by the Colts in the annual draft was All-American receiver Austin Collie, who was also a fourth-round pick at 127th overall by Indianapolis in 2009. Other Cougars previously drafted by the Colts include linebacker Rob Morris (2000, first round), offensive lineman Matt Johnson (2000, fifth round), safety Derwin Gray (1993, fourth round), receiver Mark Bellini (1987, seventh round), and defensive lineman Paul Linford (1975, fourth round by Baltimore Colts).
The last BYU player taken in the fourth round was running back Jamaal Williams, last year’s NFL leader in touchdowns, who was the 134th overall pick of the 2017 Draft by the Green Bay Packers. In addition to Freeland and Williams, other more recent BYU fourth-round picks include tight end Dennis Pitta (2010, Ravens), receiver Austin Collie (2009, Colts) and linebacker Bryan Kehl (2008, Giants).
BYU in the NFL Draft
The Cougars have been represented in 51 of the last 56 drafts and in 68 of the 88 drafts conducted overall. With Freeman's selection, NFL teams have now drafted a former BYU player 150 times since the team’s first draft choice in 1938 (John Stringham, Back, ninth round). Entering this year’s post-draft free agency signings, 205 additional Cougars have received NFL deals as free agents following the annual draft.
Freeland at BYU
Freeland played offensive line as a four-year starter from 2019 to 2022, appearing in 44 games with 41 starts.
He was named a third-team AP All-American in 2022 as well as a Phil Steele All-Independent First-Team selection. In 2022, Freeland was also named the College Football Network Independent Offensive Lineman of the Year and All-Independent First Team.
Freeland was one of only three BYU players to play in and start all 13 games last season.
One of six players to start all 13 games in 2021, Freeland helped lead BYU's offense to score 33 points per game, average 452 yards of total offense per game and achieve a 46 percent third-down conversion rate with 89 percent scoring efficiency (49 of 55) on red zone trips. The offense allowed just 15 sacks on the season.
Freeland started eight games in 2020, tallying and helped the BYU offense rank No. 8 in the nation for the fewest sacks allowed (12 sacks in 12 games) and only allowing two pressures on 293 pass-blocking regular season snaps. The offense also ranked No. 4 in scoring (43.5) and No. 7 in total offense (522.2).
As a true freshman in 2019, he started the final seven games of the season at right tackle. The offensive line unit was ranked No. 12 by Pro Football Focus.
Offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick on Blake Freeland
“Blake is a freak. He is the most athletic big man I’ve ever seen. He is explosive. His ability to change direction at his size is amazing. He also brings a lot of toughness which is what makes him an elite player.”
Offensive line coach Darrell Funk on Blake Freeland
“I’m very excited about Blake’s future. He did excellent at the NFL Combine, like I knew he would. He also played very well for BYU during the last three years. The most interesting thing to me about Blake is that he is just a baby in O-Line years. A lot of guys have played offensive line their whole lives, which he hasn’t. When you combine his skill set — such as athleticism and durability — with his intangibles — such as character, work ethic, leadership and morale — it makes him an excellent prospect.”
Personal Information
Freeland's parents, Jim and Debbie, both competed as athletes at BYU. Jim played linebacker for BYU (1994-95) and Debbie Dimond, was an All-America honorable mention BYU women's basketball player from 1991-95. She is the eighth-highest scorer in BYU women's basketball history. His sister, Sierra, was a thrower with BYU women's track and field (2017-22).