Blake Freeland Bio
Blake Freeland is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighing around 137 kilograms, he is one of the tallest players on the Indianapolis roster. He played college football for the BYU Cougars from 2019 to 2022 and entered the NFL after being selected in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL draft. Freeland quickly moved into the Colts’ starting lineup and is regarded as a developing young offensive lineman.
Early Life and Background
Blake Freeland was born on May 3, 2001, in Herriman, Utah. He grew up in the same Salt Lake Valley community where he still has deep roots. His parents, Jim Freeland and Debbie (Diamond) Freeland, both attended Brigham Young University, where they were college athletes in the 1990s. Jim Freeland played linebacker at BYU, while Debbie Freeland played basketball and volleyball for the Cougars. Their athletic background helped shape Blake’s interest in competitive sports from an early age.
Freeland attended Herriman High School, where he was a multi-sport standout on the football team. During his sophomore and junior years, he played quarterback, showing his versatility and athleticism. As a senior, he transitioned to tight end and defensive end, demonstrating the size and physical tools that would eventually project him to the offensive line. His strong high school performance drew attention from several college programs.
Path to American Football
Coming out of Herriman High School, Blake Freeland committed to Brigham Young University, following the same path his parents had taken years earlier. He joined the BYU Cougars football program in 2019 and began working with the offensive line. Over four seasons with the Cougars, he developed into a reliable and athletic tackle prospect, using his size and movement skills to handle a variety of pass-rush assignments.
Freeland appeared in multiple seasons at BYU, earning recognition for his consistency and growth as a starter. In 2022, he was named a Third-team All-American, validating his development as one of the top offensive linemen in college football. His performance at BYU, combined with his rare athletic profile, positioned him as a strong NFL prospect heading into the 2023 draft cycle.
Blake Freeland Career
Early Career (2019–2022)
Blake Freeland’s early career was spent at Brigham Young University, where he played for the BYU Cougars from 2019 through the 2022 season. He spent his early college years learning the offensive tackle position and adjusting to the speed of the college game. As he gained experience, he became a full-time starter and one of the most dependable linemen on the BYU roster.
During his senior season in 2022, Freeland produced his best college tape and earned Third-team All-American honors. That recognition, along with a strong showing at the NFL Scouting Combine, helped push his draft stock into the mid-rounds. He left BYU with a reputation as an athletic, long, and physically gifted tackle prospect.
NFL Breakthrough (2023)
Freeland was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth round, 106th overall, of the 2023 NFL draft. He joined a Colts offensive line that was looking to add depth and long-term talent at the tackle positions. His arrival came at a time when Indianapolis was retooling its protection in front of a young quarterback group.
Freeland made his first NFL start on October 1, 2023, stepping in at left tackle after an injury to Colts starting left tackle Bernhard Raimann. After two starts on the left side, he shifted to right tackle, where he started seven of the final twelve games in place of an injured Braden Smith. His quick transition into the starting lineup marked him as a player the Colts could rely on early in his professional career.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2023–Present)
Blake Freeland’s tenure with the Indianapolis Colts has been defined by steady development and a willingness to play wherever the team needed him. He continued to refine his pass protection and run blocking techniques through the 2024 season, working closely with the Colts’ coaching staff to improve his fundamentals. By his second year in the league, he had become a trusted swing tackle capable of starting on either side of the offensive line.
Unfortunately, on August 18, 2025, Freeland was placed on season-ending injured reserve, cutting his 2025 campaign short. Despite the setback, he remained an important part of Indianapolis’ long-term plans along the offensive line. His versatility and athletic upside continue to make him a player the Colts are eager to develop once he returns to full health.
Driving Style and Strengths
Blake Freeland’s biggest strengths are his exceptional size, length, and movement ability for an offensive tackle. He set an NFL Combine record for an offensive lineman with a 37-inch vertical jump, highlighting his rare explosiveness. His combination of athleticism and reach allows him to handle speed rushers on the edge, while his frame gives him the power to anchor against bull rushes. Coaches have valued his coachability and his ability to play multiple positions along the offensive line.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining early moments of Blake Freeland’s NFL career was being selected 106th overall in the 2023 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts. His record-setting 37-inch vertical jump at the NFL Combine remains one of the most memorable athletic feats for an offensive lineman in combine history. Making his first NFL start on October 1, 2023, against AFC South competition, signaled his rapid rise within the Colts’ offensive line rotation.
Blake Freeland Career Wins
As an offensive lineman, Blake Freeland’s individual statistics are measured less by wins and more by the protection and run-blocking grades he provides each week. Still, his career has included meaningful achievements, from his Third-team All-American selection in 2022 to his quick ascent into the Indianapolis Colts’ starting lineup during the 2023 season. He has earned a reputation for being a dependable contributor whenever he has been on the field.
NFL Highlights
Blake Freeland’s most notable NFL highlight came in 2023, when he made his first career start at left tackle against the Los Angeles Rams on October 1, 2023. He went on to start multiple games at both left and right tackle during his rookie season, providing the Colts with valuable experience and positional flexibility. His NFL Combine vertical jump record for an offensive lineman remains one of the top testing marks at the position.
Other Wins & Performances
Before reaching the NFL, Blake Freeland earned recognition as a Third-team All-American in 2022 during his final season at BYU. He also developed a strong reputation as a multi-year starter for the Cougars, contributing to a competitive offensive line that helped balance BYU’s offensive attack. His transition from quarterback and tight end in high school to a starting offensive tackle at a major college program stands out as one of the more unusual developmental paths in recent memory.
Blake Freeland Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Blake Freeland comes from a deeply athletic family. His father, Jim Freeland, played linebacker at Brigham Young University in the 1990s, and his mother, Debbie (Diamond) Freeland, played both basketball and volleyball at BYU during the same era. Growing up in a household where both parents had competed at the college level gave Blake early exposure to the demands of high-level athletics. That family background helped fuel his drive to pursue football as a career.
Personal Life
Blake Freeland was raised in Herriman, Utah, and remains connected to his hometown community. He attended Herriman High School, the same program that helped launch his football career, before going on to play at Brigham Young University. His parents, Jim and Debbie Freeland, have continued to be supportive figures in his athletic journey, and the family’s deep ties to BYU remain a meaningful part of his story.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a difficult one for Blake Freeland and the Indianapolis Colts. He was expected to compete for an expanded role along the offensive line, building on the experience he gained during the 2023 and 2024 campaigns. However, on August 18, 2025, Freeland was placed on season-ending injured reserve, ending his year before it could truly begin.
Despite the setback, the Colts continued to view Freeland as a key part of their long-term offensive line plan. The team turned to its other tackles to fill the void, while Freeland focused on recovery and rehabilitation. His absence was felt on a Colts line that prized his versatility and movement skills.
Looking ahead, Freeland’s focus will be on returning to full health and reclaiming his role within the Indianapolis offensive line rotation. Once healthy, he is expected to compete for starting duties at either tackle position. His combination of size, athleticism, and prior starting experience makes him a strong candidate to be a long-term fixture for the Colts along the offensive front.