Blue-chip OL Monroe Freeling inks with Georgia on ESD
Georgia’s highest-rated offensive signee (thus far) signee for the 2023 class is in the fold. The school announced the signing of Oceanside Collegiate Academy (Mount Pleasant, S.C.) offensive tackle Monroe Freeling on Wednesday, the first day of the Early Signing Period.
Freeling has already made it known that he plans to enroll early. He will join the team soon and partake in spring drills provided he is healthy.
At almost 6-foot-8 and 290 pounds, Freeling is the nation’s No. 57 overall prospect and No. 6 offensive tackle per the industry-generated On3 Consensus, which equally rates On3’s stand-alone rankings along with those from three other outlets.
Those On3 stand-alone rankings, however, have a higher opinion of Freeling. Those rankings see him as the nation’s No. 27 overall prospect and the No. 4 offensive tackle. He’s the top player in South Carolina in both sets of rankings.
“Physically-gifted offensive tackle prospect who pairs an elite frame with high-end athleticism. Has grown to around 6-foot-7, 285 pounds prior to his senior season. Has plus length to go with the stature, checking in with a 7-foot wing-span. Also a top athlete at the position. A fluid, flexible mover on the field. Moves as well as any top offensive lineman in the cycle. Tests very well in the combine setting and is a dunker on the hardwood. At his best as a second level run blocker at this stage. Still developing from a technical standpoint. Needs to improve his pass set technique and functional play strength. Physical traits and continued growth potential point to a high ceiling.” — On3 Scouting
Georgia and offensive line coach Stacy Searels battled Notre Dame, Miami, and Florida to land Freeling. He is a standout on the hardwood as well with multiple high-flying dunks and blocks that have circulated throughout social media.
Freeling has a chance to step into the two-deep right away at UGA. The Bulldogs could lose both starting offensive tackles, Broderick Jones and Warren McClendon, to the NFL Draft. McClendon is a fourth-year junior who graduated last weekend. Jones is a redshirt sophomore who is being projected as a first-round pick by a number of draft analysts.
Amarius Mims, a true sophomore for the 2022 season, will step in at one of those spots. The Bulldogs might also turned to highly-touted 2022 signee Earnest Greene, who had a procedure to remedy an issue with his back earlier in the year. Freeling is one of the most talented players in the offensive line room right away and has a chance to get up to speed this spring. redshirt sophomore Austin Blaske is also a factor a tackle along with 2022 signees Aliou Bah and Jacob Hood.
Georgia entered the Early Signing Period with 23 commitments. The class ranks No. 2 nationally, trailing only Alabama.
