Royce Freeman

Royce Deion Freeman (born February 24, 1996) is an American football running back for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oregon Ducks.

Royce Freeman
Freeman in the 2019 NFL season
No. 28 – Denver Broncos
Position:Running back
Personal information
Born: (1996-02-24) February 24, 1996
Imperial, California
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:238 lb (108 kg)
Career information
High school:Imperial
(Imperial, California)
College:Oregon
NFL Draft:2018 / Round: 3 / Pick: 71
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2020
Rushing yards:1,187
Rushing average:4.0
Rushing touchdowns:8
Receptions:69
Receiving yards:409
Receiving touchdowns:1
Player stats at NFL.com

High school career

Freeman attended Imperial High School in Imperial, California, where he played running back for the Tigers high school football team.[1] Freeman made his varsity debut as a freshman against Southwest High School (El Centro, CA.) His second career carry was a 63-yard touchdown run. He finished his freshman year with 225 yards on 26 carries and one rushing touchdown. As a sophomore, he ran for 2,075 yards on 162 carries and ran for 35 touchdowns. He also caught 14 passes for 153 yards and added two receiving touchdowns and returned two interceptions for touchdowns. As a junior, he ran for 2,482 yards on 201 carries and ran for 34 touchdowns. He caught 10 passes for 137 yards and had two touchdown receptions. As a senior, he ran for 2,824 yards on 256 carries and ran for 41 touchdowns. He also caught 8 passes for 116 yards and added two receiving touchdowns. He finished his high school playing career with 7,606 rushing yards on 645 carries (11.8 yards per carry) and ran for 111 touchdowns. Freeman also recorded six receiving touchdowns and two interceptions returned for touchdown (119 total touchdowns).[2][3]

During his senior season, Freeman set three San Diego section career records. Against Calexico High School, Freeman broke the career rushing record of 6,694 yards which was set by Ricky Seale of Escondido High School.[4] The following week against Central High School, Freeman broke the career-rushing touchdown record of 105 set by Rashaan Salaam of La Jolla Country Day High School.[5] In the final week of the regular season, Freeman broke the career-points-scored record of 697 points set by Dillon Baxter of Mission Bay High School.[6]

Freeman is the San Diego Section record-holder for career rushing yards (7,606), career rushing touchdowns (111), and career points scored (724).[7][8]

Considered a five-star recruit by Scout.com, Freeman was listed as the eighth-ranked running back in the nation in 2014.[9]

College career

2014 season
Freeman with the Oregon Ducks in 2014

Freeman came to Oregon as the highest rated recruit of the 2014 class. He immediately impressed coaches in practice and camp, and competed for the starting role with Byron Marshall and Thomas Tyner. All three were listed as co-starters at the running back position to start the 2014 season. Freeman, the heaviest of the three, established himself as a "power back," an element missing in the Oregon offense since the 2008 season. He finished the season with 252 carries for 1,365 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns, while having 16 receptions for 158 yards and one receiving touchdown.[10] He even had a 26-yard passing touchdown to quarterback Marcus Mariota in a 31-24 loss to the Arizona Wildcats. At the end of the season, he was awarded Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year.[11]

2015 season

Freeman started the 2015 season off strong with 180 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns against Eastern Washington.[12] On October 3, against Colorado, he had 163 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in the 41–24 victory.[13] The next week, against Washington State, he had 246 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, and a receiving touchdown in the 45–38 2OT loss.[14] The next week, he rushed for 138 yards in a victory over Washington.[15] In the next game, at Arizona State, he had 110 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in the victory.[16] On November 27, against Oregon State, he had 167 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns to go with 51 receiving yards.[17] In the Alamo Bowl against TCU, he had 130 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns in the 47–41 3OT loss.[18] Overall, as a sophomore, Freeman had 1,836 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns to go along with 26 receptions for 348 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.[19] He led the Pac-12 in rushing touchdowns on the season.[20]

2016 season

In the 2016 season opener against UC Davis, Freeman had 87 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.[21] In the next game, against Virginia, he had 207 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.[22] On October 1, in a game at Washington State, he had 138 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.[23] On November 19, against Utah, he had 129 rushing yards and a receiving touchdown.[24] Overall, as a junior, Freeman recorded 945 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns to go along with 23 receptions for 144 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown.[25]

2017 season

In the 2017 season opener against Southern Utah, Freeman had 150 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns, and 50 receiving yards.[26] In the next game, against Nebraska, he had 153 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.[27] He continued his hot streak with 157 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns against Wyoming in the following game.[28] On October 14, against Stanford, he had 143 rushing yards but the Ducks lost 49–7.[29] In the next game, he had 139 rushing yards against Utah.[30] On November 18, against Arizona, he had 135 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.[31] In his final collegiate game, he had 122 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns against Oregon State in a 69–10 victory.[32] Overall, Freeman finished his stellar collegiate career with 1,475 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns to go along with 14 receptions for 164 receiving yards in the 2017 season.[33]

Statistics
Year Team Games Rushing Receiving
AttYardsAvgLongTDRecYardsAvgLongTD
2014Oregon 152521,3655.438T18161589.9301
2015Oregon 132831,8366.564T172634812.0332
2016Oregon 111689455.685T9231446.3241
2017Oregon 122441,4756.059161416411.7500
Career519475,6215.985T607981410.3504

Awards & honors

2014

  • Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year (Pac-12 Coaches)[34]
  • Pac-12 All-Conference 2nd Team (Pac-12 Coaches)

Records

Oregon

  • Freshman Rushing Yards, 1,353
  • Freshman Rushing Touchdowns, 19
  • Career Rushing Yards, 5,621[35]
  • Career Rushing Touchdowns, 60

High School

  • San Diego Section Career Rushing Yards, 7,606
  • San Diego Section Career Rushing Touchdowns, 111
  • San Diego Section Career Points Scored, 724

Professional career

On November 20, 2017, Freeman officially accepted his invitation to play in the 2018 Senior Bowl.[36] Freeman sustained an injury and did not play in the 2018 Reese's Senior Bowl.[37] Freeman attended the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis and performed all of the combine and positional drills. He finished ninth among all running backs in the 40-yard dash, tied for 12th in the bench press, and also finished third among his position group in the three-cone drill and short shuttle. Freeman displayed quickness and agility especially for a running back of his size and was able to impress scouts with his overall performance.[38] On March 15, 2018, Freeman participated at Oregon's pro day, but opted to stand on his combine numbers and only performed positional drills. At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Freeman was projected to be a third round pick by NFL draft experts and scouts. He was ranked the eighth best running back in the draft by Scouts Inc. and was ranked the ninth best running back by DraftScout.com.[39][40]

External video
Royce Freeman's NFL Combine Workout
Royce Freeman runs the 40-yard dash
Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand size40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
5 ft 11 1⁄2 in
(1.82 m)		 229 lb
(104 kg)		 32 in
(0.81 m)		 9 1⁄2 in
(0.24 m)		4.54 s1.60 s2.66 s4.16 s6.90 s34 in
(0.86 m)		9 ft 10 in
(3.00 m)		17 reps
All values from NFL Draft[41][42]

The Denver Broncos selected Freeman in the third round (71st overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft. Freeman was the eighth running back drafted in 2018.[43]

External video
Broncos draft Royce Freeman 71st overall
Royce Freeman's College Highlights
Freeman in a game against the Tennessee Titans

On July 5, 2018, the Denver Broncos signed Freeman to a four-year, $3.94 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $997,020.[44] He made his NFL debut in the Broncos' 27–24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in the season opener. He had 15 carries for 71 rushing yards in the win.[45] In the following game, Freeman scored his first professional rushing touchdown in the 20–19 victory over the Oakland Raiders.[46] In Week 4, on Monday Night Football against the Kansas City Chiefs, Freeman had 67 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown for the third consecutive game.[47] Against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 7, he suffered an ankle injury which kept him sidelined for two games.[48] Overall, he finished his rookie season with 521 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns.[49]

In the 2019 season, Freeman finished with 496 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns to go along with 43 receptions for 256 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.[50]

NFL statistics
Year Team Games Rushing Receiving Fumbles
GPGSAttYdsAvgLngTDRecYdsAvgLngTDFumLost
2018DEN 1481305214.024514725.19011
2019DEN 1601324963.8263432566.019100
2020DEN 160351704.923012816.828000
Career4682971,1874.0268694095.928111

See also

References
  1. Maffei, John. "Royce Freeman finishes career with bang". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
  2. "Royce Freeman's High School Football Stats". MaxPreps.com. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  3. Maffei, John. "Royce Freeman finishes career with bang". sandiegouniontribune.com. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  4. Dale, Jonathan. "Imperial's Royce Freeman becomes king of San Diego Section rushing in Tiger win". Imperial Valley Press Online. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  5. Dale, Jonathan. "Freeman sets touchdown record in 45-28 win over Spartans". Imperial Valley Press Online. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  6. "Whicker: Oregon Ducks no longer a hot ticket? Don't blame RB Royce Freeman". Orange County Register. July 14, 2016. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  7. Garcia, Gus. "Royce Freeman broke records en route to NFL career". The Desert Review. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  8. Lindgren, Jim (October 26, 2013). "Rushing record for Imperial's Freeman". San Diego U-T Preps. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  9. Royce Freeman Recruiting Profile
  10. Kaipust, Rich. "As engine that drives Ducks' offense, Royce Freeman rolls". Omaha.com. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  11. "Pac-12 football player and coach of the year awards". Pac-12 Conference. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  12. "Adams debuts, leaves with injury in Oregon win". Newsday. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  13. "Oregon rides Royce Freeman to 41-24 win at Colorado". NBC Sports Northwest. October 3, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  14. "Washington State pulls outs dramatic 45-38 double overtime win at Oregon". ESPN.com. October 10, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  15. Greif, Andrew. "At this rate, Royce Freeman on pace to take down LaMike James' season rushing record: Ducks rundown". OregonLive.com. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  16. Gold, Jason. "Arizona State defender calls Oregon RB Royce Freeman 'dominating'". ajc. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  17. Mims, Steve. "Oregon football: Ducks can rely on Freeman". Corvallis Gazette Times. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  18. "TCU posts bowl-record comeback to stun Oregon". Gwinnett Daily Post. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  19. Thorburn, Ryan. "Freeman closing in on James' school rushing record". The Register. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  20. "2015 Pac-12 Conference Leaders". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  21. "No. 24 Oregon downs UC Davis 53-28 in Prukop's debut". USA TODAY. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  22. Greif, Andrew. "Behind Royce Freeman, No. 24 Oregon pushes Virginia aside but can't outrun defensive issues". OregonLive.com. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  23. Piraro, Tony (October 1, 2016). "Game Recap: Washington State Embarrasses Oregon, 51-33". Addicted To Quack. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  24. Williams, Joshua (November 21, 2016). "Oregon Ducks Royce Freeman Returns To Form Against Utah". Autzen Zoo. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  25. "Royce Freeman 2016 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  26. "Freeman record watch 2017: Royce rolls for 150 vs. So. Utah". NBC Sports Northwest. September 3, 2017. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  27. Peterson, Anne M. (September 10, 2017). "Herbert throws for 3 TDs and Oregon beats Nebraska 42-35". AP NEWS. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  28. "Freeman and Oregon rush past Wyoming as Allen struggles". USA TODAY. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  29. "Royce Freeman record watch 2017: Now 140 yards away". NBC Sports Northwest. October 17, 2017. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  30. Yates, Eric. "Oregon RB Royce Freeman quietly producing one of greatest careers". ajc. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  31. Greif, Andrew. "Justin Herbert returns, Royce Freeman rolls as Oregon Ducks top Arizona". OregonLive.com. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  32. "Oregon routs Oregon State 69-10 in the Civil War". USA TODAY. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  33. "Denver Broncos RB Royce Freeman pushing for lead role in backfield". UPI. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  34. "Pac-12 awards: Rich Rodriguez named Coach of the Year". CBSSports.com. December 2, 2014. Retrieved December 2, 2014.
  35. "Oregon Ducks Rushing". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  36. "3 Oregon Ducks accept invites to play in 2018 Senior Bowl". oregonlive.com. November 20, 2017. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  37. "Mo Hurst suffers injury and can't play in the Senior Bowl". diehardsport.com. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  38. Fentress, Aaron (March 3, 2018). "Royce Freeman performed well at the NFL Combine". NBCSports. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  39. "Royce Freeman, DS #9 RB, Oregon". DraftScout.com. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  40. "NFL Royce Freeman -ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  41. "NFL Draft Prospect Profile - Royce Freeman". nfl.com. March 1, 2018. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  42. "Oregon RB Royce Freeman : 2018 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile". NFLDraftScout.com. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  43. Teope, Herbie (April 27, 2018). "Broncos address RB position, draft Royce Freeman". NFL.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  44. "Spotrac.com: Royce Freeman contract". Spotrac.com. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  45. "Rookie running backs help power Broncos over Seahawks". Denver Broncos. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  46. "Broncos' late field goal stuns Raiders 20-19". Las Vegas Review-Journal. September 16, 2018. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  47. "Rookie RBs Freeman, Lindsay pay dividends for Broncos". UPI. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  48. "Royce Freeman injury update: Broncos RB sprains ankle against Cardinals, report says". Sporting News. October 19, 2018. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  49. "Royce Freeman 2018 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  50. "Royce Freeman 2019 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
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