Georgia native Ernest ‘EJ’ Freeman played in Major League Rugby during the 2025 season. He represented Anthem RC for his entire MLR career,

Born in Marietta, GA to Liberian parents, Freeman moved to Frankfurt, Germany when he was 13 where he discovered rugby in the non-traditional rugby nation. Freeman picked up German quickly and progressed through the German age-grade sides, playing with the German U18 Sevens team as well as the German U18 & U20 XV sides. After a number of years in Germany, Freeman headed to England, attending Sedbergh Boarding School in Cumbria where he was moved from the center to the back row. Following his time in England, Freeman headed back to the United States, enrolling at the University of Arizona where he represented the Wildcats from 2020-2024.

While at UofA, Freeman was selected for the USA U20 side and was nominated for the Rudy Scholz award twice. He declared for the 2024 MLR Collegiate Draft and was selected with the 1st pick of the 2nd Round, 13th Overall by Anthem RC. His signing was confirmed by Anthem when they revealed their full roster for 2025, which included EJ Freeman.

achievements

• 2024 MLR Draftee: 13th Overall (2nd Rd) – Anthem RC