Georgia pledge Monroe Freeling on cusp of 5-star status
We’re well into the second half of the 2023 recruiting cycle and, once again, Georgia is building another impressive haul. The Bulldogs are ranked No. 2 nationally per the On3 consensus with one of its pledges, Oceanside Collegiate Academy (Mt. Pleasant, S.C.) offensive tackle Monroe Freeling, potentially rising to elite status.
According to On3’s Charles Power, Freeling is one of a handful of highly-regarded prospects who could see his rating rise the closer we get to the final rankings.
“When this cycle ends, we could be talking about Monroe Freeling being the most naturally gifted offensive tackle prospect. When you look at his frame, this is a guy who is 6’7, around 285 and lean, with his flexibility and movement skills, it’s among the best we’ve seen among players at his position in this class. He’s a guy who bends extremely well and is very light-footed and a fluid mover. Getting to watch him as a senior, he’s made some progression with his technique a little bit and is playing pretty well. He is one who is just very solid.
… The natural ability just becomes more and more obvious the more you watch him. He has considerable upside when you consider the frame and movement ability; he just pops as an NFL offensive line prospect physically, and I think we’re seeing his development continue as a player. Seeing him and some of the other top offensive linemen go up against top defensive linemen and pass-rushers will be really informative. But just from the sheer ability and gifts, Monroe might have the best tool set of any offensive linemen in this cycle.”
On3’s Charles Power
Monroe Freeling committed to Georgia late last month over Notre Dame, Miami, Florida, and a host of others. He plays a position of great need for almost every school in the country and that’s very much true for the Bulldogs.
Both of Georgia’s starting tackles, Broderick Jones and Warren McClendon, are draft eligible. Jones is in his first season as full-time a starter while McClendon is in his third. UGA has also rotated Amarius Mims in at tackle this season.
According to the On3 Consensus, which takes into account rankings from three other outlets, Monroe Freeling is the nation’s No. 60 overall prospect, No. 6 offensive tackle, and No. 1 player in South Carolina. On3’s stand along rankings, however, have him at No. 27 nationally, No. 4 at his position, and No. 1 in the Palmetto State.
Monroe Freeling is also a standout athlete on the hardwood but according to his current head coach, the toughness and physicality needed to succeed on the gridiron come natural to him.
“He’s really aggressive,” Oceanside head coach Antoine Rivens told On3 when Freeling committed. That can be to a fault sometimes. I tell him with those long arms he doesn’t have to work as hard. He can press a lot of guys out, but he wants to grapple and slam them,” Rivens said. “I don’t oppose that on run blocking, but in pass, he can make it way too hard with those long arms. He’s just really aggressive, and I know he’s going to give me all he’s got. He’s excited about playing defense, too, and he does it on both sides of the ball.”
