He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles and was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL draft.

Freeman attended Miami Central High School in West Little River, Florida.

[5] As a freshman at Florida State, Freeman immediately became a major contributor to the Seminoles' running game in their 9–4 season.

[8] As a sophomore, Freeman shared the backfield primarily with James Wilder Jr. and Chris Thompson.

Florida State finished with a 10–2 regular season record and qualified for the ACC Championship.

[16] As a junior, Freeman was a first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) selection and helped the Florida State Seminoles win the 2014 BCS National Championship Game over Auburn by a score of 34–31.

[20] On January 11, 2014, Freeman announced he would forgo his senior season and enter the 2014 NFL draft.

[25] In his rookie season in 2014, Freeman shared touches with fellow running backs Steven Jackson, Jacquizz Rodgers, and Antone Smith.

[26] Against the Detroit Lions in Week 8, he scored his first career touchdown, a seven-yard reception from Matt Ryan in the first quarter.

[32] In Week 11 against the Indianapolis Colts, Freeman recorded 43 yards off three carries before leaving in the first half with a concussion.

[36][37] Following the season, Freeman was selected to the Pro Bowl, the first of his career, and was named a Second-team All-Pro.

[38][39] Freeman was named one of the captains, along with Geno Atkins of the Cincinnati Bengals, for Team Irvin in the 2016 Pro Bowl.

[41] Freeman and Tevin Coleman provided the Falcons with a solid running back combination to help pace a historic offense in 2016.

[47] Freeman was named to his second consecutive Pro Bowl as an original selection behind Ezekiel Elliott and David Johnson, and played a significant role in the Falcons finishing with an 11–5 record and earning the #2 seed in the NFC.

[52] On August 9, 2017, Freeman signed a five-year, $41.25 million contract extension with the Falcons to become the highest paid running back in the NFL.

[54] In Week 2, in the 34–23 victory over the Green Bay Packers, he had 84 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the first game in the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

[56] Though splitting carries with Tevin Coleman, he scored five rushing touchdowns in the first four games to lead the NFL.

[87] On September 9, 2021, the Baltimore Ravens signed Freeman on their practice squad following injuries to J. K. Dobbins, Justice Hill, and Gus Edwards.

[88][89] On September 16, 2021, the Ravens signed Freeman to their active roster following the release of Trenton Cannon.