By Kevin Eckleberry

kevin.eckleberry@lagrangenews.com

During his time at Georgia Tech, former Callaway Cavalier KeShun Freeman has been one of the team’s elite players, and he has also developed into a team leader.

How much Freeman means to the team was made evident last week when he was selected as one of two Georgia Tech players to participate in the ACC kickoff.

The event brings each of the conference’s teams together along with members of the media who will be covering them throughout the season.

The ACC Kickoff will begin on July 13 in Charlotte, N.C., and Georgia Tech will be represented by head coach Paul Johnson as well as Freeman and wide receiver Ricky Jeune.

The players and coaches will participate in a host of question-and-answer sessions with members of the broadcast and print media.

Freeman, who helped lead the Cavaliers to the final four as a senior in 2013, has been a starting defensive lineman since his freshman season at Georgia Tech.

Freeman was a freshman All-American on that team that won 11 games, reached the ACC championship game, and beat Mississippi State in the Orange Bowl.

Freeman has remained a mainstay in the starting lineup since, and he has played in 39 consecutive games with 37 starts.

Freeman has helped Georgia Tech win two bowl games in three years, as well as collect two victories over the Georgia Bulldogs in Athens.

This season, Freeman will be the primary leader on a defense that will have some new faces in the lineup.

“I’m excited about the guys we have,” Freeman said during spring practice. “We’ve been working hard in the offseason. As a whole, we want to make sure each person is fundamentally smart, where everyone does the small things right. That leads to doing the big things right.”

While Freeman has clearly made a massive contribution on the field, he has also been recognized for his work off the gridiron.

Last fall, Freeman was named to the Allstate American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team.

The award recognizes athletes from across the country who make contributions in all areas of student life.

Freeman is involved in a number of projects in the Atlanta area, including his work as a volunteer at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Georgia Tech will open its season on Sept. 4 against Tennessee in the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium.