Two UMHB Alums Make NFL Rosters

Two University of Mary Hardin-Baylor football alums made National Football League rosters for the 2012 season, giving the Cru the first two NFL players in the history of the program.

Jerrell Freeman will play inside linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts after signing with the team as a free agent in the spring. Freeman started the final three preseason games for the Colts and finished the preseason second on the team in tackles. He is listed as the starting left inside linebacker going into the Colts’ season opener. Freeman signed with the Colts following a three-year stint with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. He led the CFL in tackles last season while earning All-Star honors. The Waco University graduate played for the Cru from 2004-07 and finished his career as UMHB’s career leader in tackles. He was also named D3football.com National Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. The Colts will kick off the season on Sunday, September 9th, at the Chicago Bears.

Nate Menkin was signed as a reserve offensive lineman by the Philadelphia Eagles one day after his release from the Houston Texans. Menkin was signed by the Texans as an undrafted free agent and appeared in all four preseason games before he was one of the team’s final cuts. He could play guard or tackle for the Eagles and is listed at #3 on the depth chart at four of the five offensive line positions. Menkin played for the Cru from 2008-11 and was an AFCA All-American and American Southwest Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year as a senior. He is a graduate of Lago Vista High School. The Eagles will open their season at the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, September 9th.