Gavin Freeman Leads Big 12 in Receptions
Baylor receiver Gavin Freeman leads the Big 12 with 63 catches and ranks second in conference receiving yards this season. His 77-yard touchdown against UCF came on October 31.
Gavin Freeman has become a high-volume target for Baylor, leading the Big 12 with 63 receptions. That total ranks fourth nationally and is 12 more than Colorado’s Joseph Williams, who is second in the conference with 51 catches. Freeman has one more catch than Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith, though Smith and Malachi Toney have each surpassed 1,000 receiving yards and scored 13 touchdowns.
Freeman has gained 792 yards, the second-highest total in the Big 12. Arizona State’s Reed Harris is ahead of him with 804 yards, despite recording 48 catches. Freeman averages 12.6 yards per reception and 6.5 yards after the catch, matching Toney’s average and trailing him nationally by a narrow margin.
Of Freeman’s 63 catches, 41 have resulted in first downs and three more have gone for touchdowns. Those 44 high-impact receptions lead the Big 12 and rank seventh nationally.
Freeman has made plays on short, intermediate and deep passes, including a catch-and-run of more than 20 yards against Colorado and a 77-yard touchdown against UCF on October 31. Baylor has used him as a dependable receiving option, and his ability to gain yards after the catch has helped make him one of the team’s most consistent performers this season.