Knowing where everyone is supposed to be and what they are supposed to do, Harlan County senior outside linebacker Brady Freeman does a lot of his work even before the ball is snapped as you can see during any HCHS practice this summer. Freeman is a big reason why the Bears gave up 67 points fewer in 2025 than in 2024 and improved from 1-8 to 7-4.
“He is a natural leader and the players look up to him. Brady is our alpha leader,” said Harlan County coach Jacob Saylor. “He is one of the most physical and football smart players on the field. He is a coach on the field and that is very comforting to know we have a player of his knowledge leading us on defense and offense. I lean on him a lot. I expect this to be a big year for Brady.”
Freeman was fourth on the team in tackles last year with 64 and second of those returning, behind only junior linebacker Masyn Stewart. Replacing graduated linebacker Hunter Napier and his 151 tackles will be the biggest challenge for this year’s unit.
“I try to encourage everybody and keep them going even when they make a mistake. I try to tell everybody where they are supposed to be on the field,” Freeman said. “There is always room for improvement, but we were happy with how we played last yea. We lost a big player in Hunter Napier, and we have to people step up and do what he did.
“I think the work in the weight room had a lot to do with our improvement last year, plus a change in mindset. That gave us more confidence.”
Saylor says this year’s defense can build on the success from a year ago with Freeman playing a leading role.
“Brady is our coach on the field defensively. He will have to make sure he gets us in the right calls on the field defensively. He will be an extension of coach (Denny) Farmer from the sideline to the field. He will have to be vocal leader on the field defensively,” Saylor said.
“Brady is also a wonderful young man. If I had a son, I would hope he would be like Brady.”
On the offensive side, the Bears will try to capitalize on Freeman’s aggressiveness with a move from receiver to tight end where he can open holes for quarterback Brayden Morris, running back Jonah Sharp and several younger backs expected to see action this fall.
“I always like to block. That’s my favorite spot,” Freeman said. “I think I can do more at tight end. We have to keep getting better at blocking.”
Freeman likes what he’s seen so far in summer practices from the entire squad, which opens the season again at Corbin against Clay County on Aug. 22
“I think we can be a lot better. We are improving every day in practice,” Freeman said. “I think we can go farther in the playoffs.”
