Name: Jason Freeman
School: South Dakota State 
Position: Linebacker 
Height: 5-9
Weight: 220

Q: What goals did you set and/or accomplish in your final collegiate season?

My main goal is always to perform better than I did the year prior, just a constant uphill battle to be my best. With that, I received all american honors and 1st team all-conference. Also winning another national championship.

Q: What would your coaches and teammates say about the type of player you are?

It is simple, a hard worker. I’ve had to work twice as hard for everythung I’ve earned and my coaches and teammates can atest to the time and effort I put into the weight room, film study, practice, and nutrition. Being undersized, I knew I had to be a little bit better at everything and I’ve put in the hours and long nights to become one of the best linebackers at my level. My teammates would always say I was crazy fordoing things like working out a day after the game, but I’m just wired that way. I refuse to let my work ethic be the reason for me not making it.

Q: When you are studying film, what are the things you focus on to improve your game?

My biggest emphasis when watching film is picking up on the small details to play faster. Knowing running back depth and width in the backfield helps with run/pass reads as well as what potential play could be coming. With o-lineman, how the lineman set, are they heavy or light on their hands as well as their splits. Playing a lot of teams who utilize tight ends/“swipers”, understanding where a potential swipe is coming from or understanding run tendencies based on their alignment in the backfield helps. It’s the small details that help elevate my game.

Q: What separates you from the other pro prospects at your position?

Me being shorter in stature, my instinctiveness, sideline to sideline quickness and my zone coverage skills seperates me from all the prospects my position. I’m a hustle player that loves to hit and can play in coverage, I feel like that’s a hard combination to have at linebacker. In a game that’s moving to a more speed dominant league, I think my height isn’t as much of a disadvantage for me.

Q: What is your offseason plan to train and prepare for professional opportunities?

I am currently training at Win performance close to my hometown in preparation for my pro day.

Q: What kind of strengths and abilities will you bring to a team that will stand out both on and off the field?

My attention to detail and dedication I have to my job is what will stand out when I make a team. I had to learn a complex defense in 3 months that has taken guys years to learn when I transferred to South Dakota State. Once I’m committed to something, I’m all im and will doing any and everything to reach my end goal and my time at South Dakota Stare is a testament to that. My work ethic is what got me from a redshirt NAIA freshman to an FCS All-American, it didn’t just happen by accident. At the next level, everyone can jump high, run fast, and hit hard but it’s the attention to details and sacrifice that seperate players.

Q: What is your final pitch to the NFL and any other pro leagues?

If you put on my film or watch any of my games, when you see the ball you’ll see me around it almost every play, I’m a gamechanger with my effort and pursuit to the football. I know I would be a great addition to any professional league and I have a pretty unique college football story to go along with it.