LB Marcus Freeman (Houston Texans)

[osubux11]

a quick pic

[Buckskin86]

Wayne High alums reunited at OSU

COLUMBUS — Ohio State’s Marcus Freeman has found a friend, mentor, spiritual adviser and No. 1 fan in senior receiver John Hollins. But on the field, the chumminess stops.

Although the Wayne High School graduates openly pull for each over, Freeman, a freshman linebacker, promised to show no mercy if the two should cross paths in practice.

“I’m going to take his head off,” Freeman said within earshot of a laughing Hollins. “If he comes across the middle and I’m at linebacker, I’m going to try to hurt him.”

Freeman, an early enrollee, landed a solid hit on Hollins in spring practice, making him wince. But the wily veteran settled the score.

“In the spring game, he told me he was going to get me back — and he did,” Freeman said. “He made a nice juke and I missed the tackle.

“I guess we’re even now.”

The two have known each other since childhood, having grown up in the same Huber Heights church. And how Hollins has managed his disappointment as a Buckeye has made a lasting impression on Freeman.

Hollins, a former first-team all-state pick, was red-shirted as a freshman and caught just one pass the next three seasons.

“It’d be easy in John’s position to be very frustrated and want to transfer,” Freeman said. “But with the faith he has in God and his work ethic, he doesn’t quit. And now I see him getting rewarded. From what I’ve seen in practice, I expect a lot of balls to be thrown his way.”

Freeman sacrificed senior prom and post-graduation frivolity to pursue his dream of starting as a freshman. Although the Buckeyes appear set at outside linebacker with juniors A.J. Hawk and Bobby Carpenter, Freeman has moved up to second string and could log meaningful minutes.

“I like Marcus,” defensive coordinator Mark Snyder said. “He came in early, which really helped him. I put him in a different category than the other true freshmen, because he’s been here.

“I’m very pleased with Marcus. He can run.”

New receivers coach Darrell Hazell said there could be room for as many as six players in his rotation, which should leave ample room for Hollins.

“He’ll definitely help us,” Hazell said. “He’s a very mature kid. He understands it’s going take a lot of work, but he’s willing to do it. I love coaching the guy. He’s always like, ‘Coach, what else can I do to make myself better?’ “

Hollins’ level-headedness has been a boon to Freeman, who gets constant reminders to go to class, avoid trouble, play with reckless abandon and, above all, remember what they learned in church.

“He has a good relationship with God,” Freeman said, “and at times, I see myself falling off.

“He always makes sure spiritually I’m on the right path.”

DDN article

[PRBuck1]

Freeman seemed to play quite a bit in the second half. I don't think it was due to injury (hope it wasn't). Could be a sign he's really coming along.

[BrutusHayes]

maybe the coaching staff is tired of watching schlegal attempt to make a half-assed arm tackle right before he gets pancaked?

[BuckNutty]

Originally Posted by PRBuck1

Freeman seemed to play quite a bit in the second half. I don't think it was due to injury (hope it wasn't). Could be a sign he's really coming along.

JT mentioned on his call in show that Freeman was really progressing and that his playing time would increase.

[StoRMinBrutus]

Lets hope Hobbler is coming along as well so that OSU gets some good depth at that position.
Marcus is a good one.

[jimotis4heisman]

possibly had to do with [censored]ty coverage skills by our other lbs, i love hawk but man he was gettin worked, and everyone knows about schlegels coverage skills

[StoRMinBrutus]

Not contradicting you JimOtis4heisman, just adding, but anytime you have LB's in coverage on a good WR, without help, its a mismatch. Also when the D-line doesn't pressure the QB, that leads to WR's having all day to come back to the QB for those dink and dunk routes. On the shorts routes the Lb's are doing ok under these circumstances. Freeman has been doing well and coming up to speed this year in practice and earned the right to get some playing time; more so than the Lb's getting beat on coverage.

[horseshoe1]

As long as we keep playing that soft zone and giving the recievers a 12 to 15 yard cushin, then you can expect plenty of passing yards against not only the linebackers but OSU period. The Tressel approach of keeping the play in front of you and not giving up the home run just AIN'T working. Other coaches are saying you gimme and I takie. Face it we do not have last years DL and probably won't have for quite awhile (if ever). It's time to gamble a little on D.

[StoRMinBrutus]

I feel your pain with the DB's. I like an agressive "man" coverage myself but with all the changes due to injuries at the DB's positions the coaches played it close to the vest. Yes your right though, sometime down the road OSU has to let the Db's get more aggressive.
As for the D-line, I am more optimistic and I think they will be a much improved unit; especially with all these new GREAT recruits OSU has gotten at D-line recently.

[DDOTT]

I remember reading an article from the Dspatch talking about how Dantonio liked Fox. He said that it did not matter if WRs caught the ball, just as long as they are in front of the DBs. That is what we are still getting. Does anyone else see a problem here?

[JXC]

I personally love the way our secondary has played this year...especially with all the injuries. We are near the bottom in the Big 10 in sacks. When you put little pressure on the opposing QB, that puts TONS of pressure on your secondary. They've handled it about as well as one could hope IMHO.

[smitty03]

Freeman is going to be a stud. My cousin who is the head scout for the Jacksonville Jaguars was in Columbus to watch last years seniors work out. While he was there Freeman was working out, and my cousin came away not impressed by the seniors but by Freeman. He didnt comment alot on Freeman but said, "He's going to be a good one", with a huge smile on his face.

[jimotis4heisman]

Originally Posted by StoRMinBrutus

Not contradicting you JimOtis4heisman, just adding, but anytime you have LB's in coverage on a good WR, without help, its a mismatch. Also when the D-line doesn't pressure the QB, that leads to WR's having all day to come back to the QB for those dink and dunk routes. On the shorts routes the Lb's are doing ok under these circumstances. Freeman has been doing well and coming up to speed this year in practice and earned the right to get some playing time; more so than the Lb's getting beat on coverage.

i agree 100% i was saying, he look better in coverage then our other lbs?

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Freeman is going to be a good one, I saw him play in the Army All Star game last year and I thought he stood out, its obvious the kid has some skills, lets hope he continues to develop and keeps his head on straight.