Freeland named Preseason First-Team All-American by The Athletic

SAN FRANCISCO — BYU left tackle Blake Freeland was today named to The Athletic 2022 Preseason All-America First Team. The team is made up of 25 players from 17 FBS schools, including 11 on offense, 11 on defense as well as three specialists.

Freeland, a 6-8, 305-pound junior, started all 13 games for the Cougars in 2021 at left tackle and was named to the Phil Steele All-Independent First Team and Pro Football Network All-Independent First Team. 

He was an integral part of the BYU position group that was named PFN 2021 Offensive Line of the Year. The Cougars ranked 11th in sack rate, per TruMedia, and Freeland gave up just one sack and four pressures in 408 pass-block snaps.

Freeland also helped pave the way for Tyler Allgeier’s 1,606-yard rushing season in 2021 and helped the BYU offense produce 33 points per game, while averaging 452 yards of total offense. 

Nominations for preseason All-American honors were solicited from The Athletic’s college football staff, with selections made based on a combination of past and expected 2022 performance.

Previously, Freeland and BYU left guard Clark Barrington were both named to the 2022 preseason watch lists for the Outland Trophy and the Rotary Lombarbi Awards. Barrington has also received preseason All-American honors by Phil Steele, Athlon Sports, The Sporting News and Lindy's Sports.