Jerrell Freeman, right, was the D3football.com Defensive Player of the Year in 2007 for UMHB. D3sports.com file photo by RC Workman

Former University of Mary Hardin-Baylor football player Jerrell Freeman has signed a free agent contract with the Indianapolis Colts after closing out a standout three-year career with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.

Freeman opted out of his CFL contract after posting the best season of his professional career this season. Freeman led the CFL with 105 tackles and he added six sacks and three interceptions and was also runner-up for the CFL Defensive Player of the Year Award.

The free agent deal also gives Freeman a second chance at the NFL. He signed a free agent deal with the Tennessee Titans after finishing his career at UMHB but was one of the team's final cuts in training camp that season.

Freeman's deal with the Colts is reportedly a three-year contract.

"I'm leaving probably the best fans in Canada with Rider Nation, so it's one of those things where you are kind of torn," Freeman said. "But I'm leaving the CFL on a high note and joining an organization that really seems to like me and you have to look at it like a job where you get a promotion."

Freeman totaled 144 tackles, 13 sacks, three interceptions and four fumble recoveries during his CFL career. He was a CFL All-Star this season and was also earned CFL Defensive Player of the Week honors three times during his time in Saskatchewan. Freeman also played in two CFL Grey Cup games with the Roughriders.          

Freeman played for the Cru from 2004-2007 and finished his career as UMHB's all-time leader in tackles. He was named D3football.com Defensive Player of the Year as a senior and was also a three-time American Southwest Conference First Team All-Conference selection with the Cru. He is a native of Waco and graduated from University High School.