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Overview
Marcus Freeman is a former NFL linebacker who was forced to retire after the 2009 season due to an enlarged heart valve. Freeman, who was a fifth-round pick of the Chicago Bears in the 2009 NFL Draft, spent time on the practice squads of the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans. He is best known for having played four seasons for Ohio State University.
Prep Career
After Freeman's senior season at Wayne High School in Huber Heights, OH, Scout.com had him ranked as the No. 11 linebacker prospect in the class of 2004. He had 127 total tackles as a senior, earning him second team All-USA honors from USA TODAY. He visited Oklahoma in September of 2003, but committed to Ohio State after making an official visit in December.
College Career
Freeman played mostly on special teams in 2004, and missed all of the 2005 season with a knee injury. He became a regular starter in 2006, finishing 3rd among the Buckeyes with 71 total tackles. He had 15 total tackles in Ohio State's BCS National Championship Game loss to Florida. As a junior, Freeman earned second team All-Big Ten honors from the league's coaches, finishing second on the team with 109 total tackles. Despite dropping off to 84 total tackles in 2008, he still finished second on the team, again behind James Laurinaitis. He earned second team all-Big Ten Honors for the second consecutive year. Freeman was also chosen as Ohio State's honoree for the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award in 2008. He is eligible for the year-end award, which is given to one male athlete in the entire conference, spanning all sports.
NFL Career
Freeman was selected in the fifth round (154th overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. Before the 2009 season, Freeman signed a four-year/$1.931M contract with Chicago, but was waived at the end of the 2009 preseason.
On Sept. 22, 2009, Freeman signed with the Buffalo Bills. He was waived on Oct. 13, 2009. He signed with the Houston Texans practice squad on Nov. 4, 2009, and remained with Houston until the end of the season.
In the offseason, Freeman signed with the Indianapolis Colts, where team doctors diagnosed him as having an enlarged heart valve. He was forced to retire. Freeman will join the Ohio State coaching staff as a graduate assistant in the fall.
On Sept. 22, 2009, Freeman signed with the Buffalo Bills. He was waived on Oct. 13, 2009. He signed with the Houston Texans practice squad on Nov. 4, 2009, and remained with Houston until the end of the season.
In the offseason, Freeman signed with the Indianapolis Colts, where team doctors diagnosed him as having an enlarged heart valve. He was forced to retire. Freeman will join the Ohio State coaching staff as a graduate assistant in the fall.
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