Within a couple of days of receiving the playbook before his freshman season, Blake Freese already knew his position and the entire defense. He realized that at 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, he had to work hard and put on weight and muscle if he was going to compete in Division II football.

“When I came (to Minnesota State), I was blown away by how much faster and bigger the players were, and how much more complicated the game was,” Freese said. “It really hit me that if I wanted to play, I had to get to a new level.”

Now 30 pounds heavier, with three seasons of experience, Freese begins his final season when the Mavericks take on Central Missouri at 7 p.m. today in a nonconference game at Warrensburg, Mo.

“I’m excited, but it’s also kind of depressing,” he said. “It’s gone by so fast. I have high hopes that this will be the best season (I’ve had here.)”

Freese came to Minnesota State as a safety from perennial prep power Eden Prairie, and defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman, who has been Freese’s position coach all three years, remembers a conversation he had with Eden Prairie coach Mike Grant.

“A lot of guys get recruited from there, and Blake wasn’t the most highly recruited guy,” Klanderman said. “Grant told me, I think he’ll end up as a linebacker.”

After two seasons at safety, that position switch came last year, and for the second straight season, Freese led the team in tackles. Only three players in school history have led the Mavericks in tackles for three seasons, though that’s not Freese’s goal.

“If I lead the team in tackles, and we have a crappy season, it doesn’t mean much,” he said.

The key to Freese’s success has been work ethic in the weight room, practice field and classroom. He has the closing speed to get to the ball, and the strength to secure the tackle.

“He has a nose for the football,” Klanderman said. “Younger guys don’t understand the intensity it takes to get to the football on every play. I hope (he leads the team in tackles) again.”

For the last two seasons as the offensive coordinator at South Dakota, Mavericks coach Todd Hoffner has had to figure out how to limit Freese’s impact, so he new about the athletic ability. Since coming to Minnesota State in January, Hoffner has seen Freese’s impact on the program, university and community.

“He’s very reserved, cerebral,” Hoffner said. “It’s his last year, and he’s been involved in everything he can. He’s a silent leader, leads by example.”

Last season, Freese made 82 tackles, 47 of which were solos. He also had one sack, one interception and a forced fumble.

He’s become a team leader, though he’s not one to shout. This should be his most realistic chance to win a conference championship, which, he said, is his first goal.

“It feels like everything is coming together,” Freese said. “Offensively and defensively, we have so much talent. I think we can outplay anybody if we do what we’ve been coached to do.”