University of Georgia Athletics
Photo by: Conor Dillon/UGAAA
Freeling Taken In The 2026 NFL Draft’s First Round
April 23, 2026 | Football
PITTSBURGH, Pa. --- Junior offensive lineman Monroe Freeling was taken in the opening round of the 2026 NFL Draft Thursday, marking the ninth straight year that Georgia has had at least one first round pick.
Freeling gives the Bulldogs nine straight years of having an offensive lineman taken in the draft. Georgia has now had 21 first round selections with only 21 total losses during the Kirby Smart era that started in 2016. The Bulldogs have produced 14 first round selections over the past five seasons.
Freeling, a 6-7, 318-pound native of Charleston, S.C., started 17 games and appeared in 36 contests during his three seasons on the Georgia line. The 2025 Coaches Second Team All-SEC selection was a two-time SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week during Georgia's second straight conference title run and a trip to the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal round for the second consecutive time. Freeling started 13 of 14 games last season and helped give QB Gunner Stockton time to complete 69.7 percent of his passes.
This marks the second straight year that the Panthers have selected a Bulldog after taking RB Trevor Etienne in the fourth round in 2025. Freeling is the first Georgia offensive lineman taken by the Panthers and the eighth player overall dating back to 1999,
The NFL Draft continues Friday in Pittsburgh with rounds 2-3 starting at 7 p.m., followed by the final four rounds beginning Saturday at noon.
Freeling gives the Bulldogs nine straight years of having an offensive lineman taken in the draft. Georgia has now had 21 first round selections with only 21 total losses during the Kirby Smart era that started in 2016. The Bulldogs have produced 14 first round selections over the past five seasons.
Freeling, a 6-7, 318-pound native of Charleston, S.C., started 17 games and appeared in 36 contests during his three seasons on the Georgia line. The 2025 Coaches Second Team All-SEC selection was a two-time SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week during Georgia's second straight conference title run and a trip to the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal round for the second consecutive time. Freeling started 13 of 14 games last season and helped give QB Gunner Stockton time to complete 69.7 percent of his passes.
This marks the second straight year that the Panthers have selected a Bulldog after taking RB Trevor Etienne in the fourth round in 2025. Freeling is the first Georgia offensive lineman taken by the Panthers and the eighth player overall dating back to 1999,
The NFL Draft continues Friday in Pittsburgh with rounds 2-3 starting at 7 p.m., followed by the final four rounds beginning Saturday at noon.
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