Monroe Freeling Is Switching Carolinas

Monroe Freeling, the No. 19 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, enters the league with a ~$20.93 million rookie contract and an ~$11.8 million signing bonus.

Before the Georgia Bulldog’s offensive tackle plays a single snap for the Carolina Panthers, he’s already staring at a quiet but very real financial decision:

How does a South Carolina‑born, Georgia‑developed tackle play the residency game when his drafted team is just across the border in North Carolina?

Because for a 21‑year‑old offensive tackle with long‑term earning potential, the wrong address doesn’t just cost money.

It could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

APSM breaks down Freeling’s real estate and residency options across his new NFL financial landscape and suggests where he should establish his primary residence to maximize his net worth:

His home state (South Carolina)
His college state (Georgia)
His drafted state (North Carolina)

Does Monroe Freeling Own Property?

Freeling was born and raised in Mount Pleasant/Charleston, South Carolina, before becoming one of the SEC’s most athletic offensive tackles at Georgia.

There are no public records of Freeling owning real estate in South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, or elsewhere.

Like most NIL‑era athletes, he likely:

Rented during his college days
Banked NIL money at Georgia (top football program)
Waited until the draft to make his first major real estate move

Now, with an ~$11.8 million signing bonus on the way, his first real estate decision is less about glamour and more about structure and tax efficiency.

📩 Subscribe to APSM

Get APSM’s free weekly breakdowns on contracts,
taxes, real estate, and athlete wealth.

Join hundreds of readers learning financial literacy
through sports, every week.

Don’t borrow against your future
to pay for your pride.
Subscribe to the APSM Wealth Letter.

Market #1: South Carolina (Home state)

Median Home Price: ~$290,000
Property Tax Rate: ~0.5–0.6% (low)
State Income Tax: 7.0% (top bracket)
Cost of Living: ~8–10% below U.S. average
Market Trend: 4–6% annual appreciation (Charleston, Greenville)

Pros

Low property taxes
Strong appreciation in Charleston and Greenville
Familiar environment and support system
Good long‑term rental potential in coastal markets

Cons

7% income tax hits high‑income earners hard
Not as tax‑efficient as some neighboring states
Less compelling as a primary tax home for an NFL tackle

Market #2: Georgia (College State)

Median Home Price: ~$360,000
Property Tax Rate: ~0.9%
State Income Tax: 5.49%
Cost of Living: ~5% below U.S. average
Market Trend: 5-7% annual appreciation (Atlanta, Athens, Savannah)

Pros

Lower income tax than South Carolina
Strong appreciation in Atlanta metro
Familiar from his Georgia days
Good long‑term rental and investment market

Cons

Still a meaningful state income tax burden
Not the best option when other states are in play

Market #3: North Carolina (Drafted State)

Median Home Price: ~$320,000
Property Tax Rate: ~0.8%
State Income Tax: 3.99% (flat)
Cost of Living: ~5-10% below U.S. average
Market Trend: 4-6% annual appreciation (Charlotte, Raleigh, Wilmington)

Pros

3.99% flat income tax, lower than both South Carolina and Georgia
Reasonable property taxes
Strong appreciation in Charlotte and Raleigh
Affordable compared to coastal NFL markets
Easy to live near team facilities and still be tax‑efficient

Cons

Not a no‑tax state like Florida, Texas, or Nevada
Property tax slightly higher than South Carolina

North Carolina is actually a sneaky strong residency option for Freeling.

North Carolina is close to home, it offers lower tax than his home and college states, and it has a growing real estate market and reasonable cost of living compared to other coastal markets.

Best Housing Markets, Rental Markets
& Appreciation rates

South Carolina

Best Housing Markets: Charleston, Greenville, Fort Mill
Best Rental Markets: Charleston, Columbia
Appreciation: 4-6% annually

Georgia

Best Housing Markets: Atlanta (Alpharetta, Roswell), Athens, Savannah
Best Rental Markets: Atlanta metro
Appreciation: 5-7% annually

North Carolina

Best Housing Markets: Charlotte (South End, Ballantyne), Raleigh (Cary, Apex), Wilmington
Best Rental Markets: Charlotte, Raleigh
Appreciation: 4-6% annually
Georgia and North Carolina are the best long‑term appreciation plays.
South Carolina is elite for low property tax and coastal rentals.
From a tax + lifestyle + team proximity standpoint, North Carolina is the most balanced.

Property Tax & Capital Gains

Property tax

South Carolina: ~0.5-0.6% (low)
Georgia: ~0.9%
North Carolina: ~0.8%

Capital Gains (state level)

South Carolina: 7%
Georgia: 5.49%
North Carolina: 4.75%

Residency Impact on Freeling’s Signing Bonus

Gross Signing Bonus: $11,800,000
Federal Tax (37%): $7,434,000

Residency State	State Tax Rate	State Tax on Bonus	Estimated Net Signing Bonus
North Carolina	4.75%	~$560,500	~$7.27M
Georgia	5.49%	~$648,000	~$7.19M
South Carolina	7.0%	~$826,000	~$6.99M

North Carolina could save Freeling:

~$88K vs Georgia
~$265K vs South Carolina

Not Nevada‑level savings, but for a guy whose team is based in Charlotte, this is a clean, efficient setup.

Investment Scenario:
Turning ~$7.27M Into Real Wealth

Using the North Carolina residency scenario:

ROI Rate (5 Years)	Projected Value
10% Return	~$11.8M
12% Return	~$12.9M
15% Return	~$14.7M
20% Return	~$18.1M

If Freeling invests his entire net signing bonus and lives below his means,
he can turn ~$7.27M into $11-18M+ before touching a dollar.

That’s how you go from “rookie contract” to multi‑generational wealth,
even if the second deal never hits the absolute ceiling.

Want to Understand How
Athletes Actually Lose it All?

The APSM “7 Ways Athletes Go Broke” Report Includes an inside look into the primary reasons more athletes end up broke over 70% of the time within just five years after retirement from their sport/league primarily due to:

Hidden behavioral traps behind collapse.
Spending patterns that drain wealth faster than income can replace it.
High-risk advisors and predatory industries.
Divorce, taxes, lifestyle creep & breakdowns.

These are real athlete case studies you can learn from
to avoid the same fate as an athlete, parent, advisor or fan alike.

Future-proof your own frameworks,
avoid the exact same mistakes.

If you want real financial literacy,
the kind that protects you, not just informs you…

This is the blueprint.

Access the 7 Ways
Athletes Go Broke Report

Jock Tax Considerations

He’ll still pay jock taxes in states he plays road games in (California, New York, etc.).
But his home base, where his signing bonus and investment income are taxed, matters far more.
North Carolina residency means:
- 4.75% flat tax on income
- Lower state tax than South Carolina and Georgia
- Reasonable environment for long‑term investing

APSM Real Estate Verdict

Primary residence: North Carolina (Charlotte suburbs near Panthers facilities)
Secondary / emotional home: South Carolina (Charleston/Mount Pleasant, Coastal Properties)
Investment market: Georgia or North Carolina rentals for long‑term appreciation

If Monroe Freeling wants to maximize his rookie earnings, protect his signing bonus, and build long‑term wealth, the move is simple:

Establish North Carolina residency.
Own or rent smart near Charlotte.
Add South Carolina coastal property later as a luxury + rental hybrid
Invest the majority of his signing bonus into index funds and carefully selected Southeast real estate.

Freeling doesn’t have the flashiest tax setup in the class,
but he has one of the cleanest, most sustainable one,
if he plays it right.

Next Reads

Credits

Written By: Aidan Anderson
Research & Analysis: Apostle Sports Media LLC
Sources: NFL Draft Data, Sportico, Spotrac, Zillow / Redfin Market Research, ESPN, WSJ, APSM Proprietary Analysis
Featured Image: Public Domain / Instagram / Wiki Commons
Disclaimer: This article contains general financial information for educational purposes and does not constitute professional financial advice.