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@JCMEEDJA
Freeman set to return in 2026
1/4/2026 3:40:00 PM | Football
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State wide receiver Josiah Freeman has been granted an extension of eligibility by the NCAA and will return to the Bulldog football program for 2026, he first announced via social media in collaboration with Fresno State Football on Sunday afternoon.
Freeman was the Bulldogs' leading receiver in 2025, capping the year with a career-best performance of 143 yards on seven catches against Miami (OH) in the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl. He finished the year with 642 yards and six touchdowns, earning All-Mountain West honorable mention honors. Freeman was 10th in the Mountain West in receiving yards in 2025, in an offense that was balanced in its pass and run game attack.
"Having a veteran player like Josiah back is great," said Bulldog wide receivers coach DelVon Hardaway. "He is a great leader and mentor for the younger receivers in the room. He is committed to the process and development it takes to be a great player and his ceiling will only continue to elevate."
The native of Soledad, Calif. has been a Bulldog since the 2022 season. He transferred in from Hartnell Junior College and used a redshirt season with zero games played in his first season.
"You guys all need to start looking at Josiah Freeman," said former Bulldog quarterback Jake Haener in comments at the 2023 NFL Combine. "He is a JuCo transfer, 6-foot-4, freakishly long and talented kid. He hasn't gotten on the field, but he makes plays in practice. In a few years, he will put it together on the field and will definitely be a name you need to look for."
In a career bruised with injuries, Freeman has totaled 986 career receiving yards. In 2024, he appeared in only four games after suffering a season-ending injury in mid-October. Freeman gets that season back and will return to Fresno State in 2026. The senior Bulldog is the first Soledad High School alumnus to ever play Division I college football. In his time at Fresno State, he has earned his degree in Africana Studies and is currently studying in a postgraduate certificate program.
"Coming off of the injury last year, I knew what I wanted to do this season and I trusted the coaching staff that Coach Entz brought in, I trusted what it was that he had to do," said Freeman in postgame comments following the bowl victory. "I like how he embraced the tradition of Bulldog football. He didn't shy away from it. He kept all of the alumni around and things like that. I am grateful that the season turned out the way that it did."
The future continues to be bright for the Bulldog football team, entering its first season in the Pac-12 with returning veteran talent in Freeman and others. Support the present and future of Bulldog football through the Valley Co-Op here.
One more time RedWave!!! pic.twitter.com/tUxU6Bh4yE
— Josiah Freeman 🧘🏾♂️ (@josiahfreeman12) January 4, 2026
Freeman was the Bulldogs' leading receiver in 2025, capping the year with a career-best performance of 143 yards on seven catches against Miami (OH) in the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl. He finished the year with 642 yards and six touchdowns, earning All-Mountain West honorable mention honors. Freeman was 10th in the Mountain West in receiving yards in 2025, in an offense that was balanced in its pass and run game attack.
"Having a veteran player like Josiah back is great," said Bulldog wide receivers coach DelVon Hardaway. "He is a great leader and mentor for the younger receivers in the room. He is committed to the process and development it takes to be a great player and his ceiling will only continue to elevate."
The native of Soledad, Calif. has been a Bulldog since the 2022 season. He transferred in from Hartnell Junior College and used a redshirt season with zero games played in his first season.
"You guys all need to start looking at Josiah Freeman," said former Bulldog quarterback Jake Haener in comments at the 2023 NFL Combine. "He is a JuCo transfer, 6-foot-4, freakishly long and talented kid. He hasn't gotten on the field, but he makes plays in practice. In a few years, he will put it together on the field and will definitely be a name you need to look for."
In a career bruised with injuries, Freeman has totaled 986 career receiving yards. In 2024, he appeared in only four games after suffering a season-ending injury in mid-October. Freeman gets that season back and will return to Fresno State in 2026. The senior Bulldog is the first Soledad High School alumnus to ever play Division I college football. In his time at Fresno State, he has earned his degree in Africana Studies and is currently studying in a postgraduate certificate program.
"Coming off of the injury last year, I knew what I wanted to do this season and I trusted the coaching staff that Coach Entz brought in, I trusted what it was that he had to do," said Freeman in postgame comments following the bowl victory. "I like how he embraced the tradition of Bulldog football. He didn't shy away from it. He kept all of the alumni around and things like that. I am grateful that the season turned out the way that it did."
The future continues to be bright for the Bulldog football team, entering its first season in the Pac-12 with returning veteran talent in Freeman and others. Support the present and future of Bulldog football through the Valley Co-Op here.
FB highlight at Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl [12/27/25]
Monday, December 29
Post-Game Press Conference [12/27]
Saturday, December 27
Instant Highlights: Fresno State 18, Miami (Ohio) 3
Saturday, December 27
The Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl Media Availability
Wednesday, December 24