9. Logan Jones, Iowa, center
Kirk Ferentz keeps cranking out Freaks. The 6-3, 293-pound converted defensive lineman ranked No. 52 on last year’s list. Jones, a third team All-Big Ten pick by league coaches in 2023, is a former Iowa state champion in the shot put and discus. He vertical-jumped 36.6 inches this year. Many of Jones’ other freaky testing numbers came before this year as he had leg surgery in January and wasn’t cleared until after the spring. In 2023, he squatted 695 pounds — a Hawkeyes record — and did the program’s second-heaviest hang clean at 470 pounds. He clocked a 1.53 10-yard split, which is an Iowa offensive line record, and in 2022 ran a 4.09 pro agility time. That 20-yard shuttle time is .05 faster than the best time an offensive lineman has posted at the combine. (In 2011, Cincinnati’s Jason Kelce did 4.14.)
“He’s pretty exceptional,” Ferentz said. “He’s got great quickness. He’s a really competitive guy. You would think he was a high school wrestler. (Jones excelled in track and basketball.) I’m not saying he’s (Tyler) Linderbaum (No. 10 on the 2021 Freaks List) but there are a lot of parallels. Similar explosiveness. He’s not there yet, but he’s catching up. The maturity’s really helped him; he’s an exceptional kid. Just so invested and developed into a really good leader.”
10. Jordan Burch, Oregon, defensive lineman
“He’s done a great job this offseason changing his body,” head coach Dan Lanning told me last month. That is saying something considering Burch was No. 4 on my list last year before leading the Ducks with 7.5 TFLs in 2023 alongside his 34 tackles, 27 QB pressures and three sacks. But Oregon coaches are expecting a big final season to his college career.
“He is really unique. He’s put on 13 pounds of muscle,” Lanning said. “He’s different and is playing to attributes.” This offseason the 6-5 1/8, 295-pound senior improved his vertical jump to 35 inches and hit 20.75 MPH on the GPS. Last year, Burch showed impressive strength, squatting 685 pounds and doing a sumo deadlift of 685.
11. Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina, defensive back
He may have only been a three-star prospect in 2022, but the Gameco*cks got a real gem in Emmanwori. The 6-3, 227-pound junior has made a ton of plays in his first two seasons in the SEC and put up spectacular numbers this offseason. Emmanwori broad-jumped 11-4, vertical-jumped 42 inches, did 24 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press and squatted 565 pounds. And he is still only 20 years old.
“He is an absolute freak,” Beamer said. “He’s 227 pounds, and he runs close to 23 mph.”
As a true freshman, Emmanwori led the team with 85 tackles, including 14 against No. 1 Georgia. Last year, he continued to blossom, finishing with 71 tackles, eight pass breakups, a pair of interceptions and one quarterback hurry. And he put up double-digit tackles against Georgia again, with 10.
12. Abdul Carter, Penn State, defensive end
As he has moved from linebacker to the defensive line, the 6-3 Carter is up four pounds to 254. He matched his numbers from last offseason, clocking a 4.48 40, a 4.35 shuttle and broad-jumping 10-7 when he was No. 43 on our list in 2023. A first-team All-Big Ten selection by the league’s coaches, he had 48 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, an interception, a forced fumble, five pass breakups and five quarterback hurries. He’ll be an even bigger problem for rival quarterbacks now that he’s coming off the edge. Carter’s max velocity is 22.4 mph. He vertical-jumped 33.5 inches, power cleaned 350 pounds, bench pressed 375 and squatted 600.
13. Alex Orji, Michigan, quarterback
The 6-3, 238-pound Texan got some action for the national champion Wolverines as an occasional change-of-pace option for their ground attack, carrying the ball 15 times for 86 yards with one touchdown. This offseason, Orji ranked No. 1 on the Wolverines’ KPIs (Key Performance Indicators). His time of 2.46-seconds on Michigan’s reactive plyo stairs test was No. 1 of all Michigan’s Big Skill group (TE, LB, QB, RB, edge).
Orji, ranked No. 50 on last year’s list, has elite numbers across the board. This summer, he vertical-jumped 41 inches, broad-jumped 10-7, clocked a 6.62 3-cone drill time and ran 4.06 seconds in the pro agility shuttle. But the most impressive thing about Orji is what Michigan strength coach Justin Tress describes as the big quarterback’s elite balance and mobility reflected in his ability to do pistol squats on an unstable surface using wobbly “SlackBlocks” while showing the precision and focus required to pick up a popcorn kernel off of the ground.
Watch the video, where Orji completed three reps on his right side. Then, watch how everyone else is doing it, in what Tress described as “the traditional way to use the SlackBlock in our program.” (That’s Colston Loveland, Michigan’s freakish tight end, next to Orji.)
The Michigan strength staff came up with the popcorn kernel exercise three summers ago to keep players engaged and to challenge their balance, stability and control.
“Alex just took it to the next level,” Tress said. “Then guys would try to do it but none of ’em could. They’d get down to the bottom and their block would kick out. They all have the strength to do it, but it’s more about stability. He just makes it look effortless.”
14. Kendrick Law, Alabama, wide receiver
Pound for pound, Law is one of the strongest players in college football. The 5-11, 202-pound junior bench pressed 465 pounds this offseason. He squatted 655 and cleaned 335. He’s really fast, clocking 23.2 mph and has an acceleration output of 6.1 m/s^2. Law emerged as a special teams standout for the Tide last year to go with making 15 catches for 135 yards.
15. Domonique Orange, Iowa State, defensive tackle
Matt Campbell has developed a bunch of NFL talent in Ames. The 6-4, 325-pound Orange passed on FSU, Texas A&M and Arkansas to join the Cyclones. The massive D-lineman is living up to that hype. He started five games last year and had 16 tackles, earning All-Big 12 honorable mention honors in his second season in the program. He benched 450, squatted 650 and cleaned 365 this offseason, but the most impressive thing is his vertical jump of 34 inches at his size. That goes alongside his modified reactive strength index on the force plates (.86 m/s, which is considered elite).
16. Thor Griffith, Louisville, defensive tackle
After three seasons dominating in the Ivy League for Harvard, piling up 132 tackles, 33.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks, the former New Hampshire state wrestling champ and hockey standout has transferred to the ACC. He didn’t do offseason testing at Louisville, but make no mistake that the 6-2, 320-pounder is one of the most explosive players in college football. Griffith has bench pressed 225 pounds 45 times and ran a 4.95 40 with a 10-yard split of 1.65 seconds. In addition, he has clocked a 4.57 pro shuttle time.
17. James Pearce Jr., Tennessee, defensive end
The SEC’s top returning pass rusher wasn’t listed as one of the 10 fastest Vols in the EA Sports College Football 25 video game, but we would put him there after his dazzling display In the Citrus Bowl. Pearce clocked 23 mph on a pick six against Iowa, turning in one of the fastest GPS measurements of any FBS play all season.
One of his coaches told me that the 6-5, 245 pound junior is a legitimate 4.4 40 threat. According to PFF, Pearce was the SEC’s highest graded defensive end last year at 90.9. He tied for the SEC lead in sacks (10) and was second in tackles for loss (14.5); he’s the SEC’s returning statistical leader in both of those. He had 16 quarterback hurries, two pass breakups and two forced fumbles.
18. Zane Durant, Penn State, defensive line
As part of a deep and talented defensive line, Durant had 17 tackles, 5.5 TFLs and two sacks in 2023. Durant was No. 38 on the list last year; he has added six pounds (up to 290) but hasn’t lost any speed, running another 4.66 40 this offseason. He hit a max velocity of 21.1 mph. His shuttle time improved to 4.43, and his broad jump stayed at 9-10. He vertical-jumped 30.5 inches. His 660-pound squat set a Penn State record for defensive linemen. He also bench pressed 425.
19. Sonny Styles, Ohio State, linebacker
Styles is making his second appearance on the Freaks List (he was No. 20 last year), and he still won’t turn 20 until late November. He had a strong season last year starting 12 games while racking up 53 tackles with 4.5 TFLs and two sacks as a safety. This year, Styles shifted to linebacker where he should become an even bigger problem for rival offenses. He is 6-4 ½ and 240 pounds — up 12 pounds from last year. Styles still broad-jumped 10-11 and vertical-jumped 39 inches to go with a 600-pound squat.
“He’s a freak,” said former Buckeyes star James Laurinaitis, OSU’s LBs coach. “And the best part is his football intelligence, and his maturity is really incredible.”
20. Francis Mauigoa, Miami, offensive tackle
The former five-star started all 13 games as a true freshman last year at right tackle and made Honorable Mention All-ACC. Last year his body fat was under 21 percent at 341 pounds on his 6-6 frame. According to coach Mario Cristobal, Mauigoa is down a few pounds, playing somewhere between 335 and 340. Mauigoa’s jump power measured at 9,274 watts, the highest Miami had on record, as was his “jump momentum” of 462 kilogram-meter per second. His 10-yard was 1.72 seconds last year, and it’s gotten a little quicker, according to Cristobal.
21. Landon Jackson, Arkansas, defensive end
The former LSU Tigers player was named a first-team All-SEC player by the league’s coaches in 2023 after making 13.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks and 44 tackles. Jackson gave Alabama fits last year, notching 11 tackles and 3.5 sacks. At 6-6 and 281 pounds, Jackson has topped out at 20.4 mph. Last month, he broad-jumped 10-2 and had a 34-inch vertical. In the weight room, he power cleaned 350, benched 375 and squatted 505.
Landon Jackson rated as the No. 7 defensive lineman in the Class of 2021, per 247Sports. (Petre Thomas / USA Today)
22. Da’Quan Felton, Virginia Tech, wide receiver
One of the ACC’s top big-play threats, Felton had 38 receptions for 667 yards and eight TDs last year in his first season in FBS after shining at Norfolk State. Felton has blossomed into a matchup nightmare. He is 6-5 and 221 pounds, up eight pounds from last year. He has hit 22.40 mph, broad-jumped 10-8 and run a 4.42 in the 40 to go with his 36.5 inch vertical.
23. Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona, wide receiver
The 6-4, 210-pound junior might have the best ball skills of any young wideout in a generation. In 2023, McMillan had the lowest drop rate (2.1 percent) among Power 5 receivers with at least 100 targets, according to PFF. People in football assume “T-Mac” has a 40-plus inch vertical after marveling at all of his aerial wizardry. When asked about his jumping ability, the former high school volleyball and basketball star laughed.
“Man, you’d be surprised,” he said. “My vertical is not as good as you think. I’m gonna tell you right now I don’t have the best vertical in our receiver room. People would really be surprised. It’s around 33 or 34 inches. When I came out of high school, it was about 31.”
McMillan attributes his elite ball skills to his timing. He has become much faster since getting to Arizona, going from 19.8 mph to 21.8 mph in two years of a college strength program.
“T-Mac is probably the biggest freak that I’ve ever been around,” said Washington’s Jedd Fisch, McMillan’s former coach at Arizona who spent more than a decade working in the NFL. “He doesn’t have that great a vertical, but it’s his coordination that is freakish. He has great hand-eye coordination. He’s the best athlete I’ve ever seen.”
Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan is a FREAK athlete 🤯🔥
— The Players' Lounge (@ThPlayersLounge) May 14, 2024
24. Kaden Feagin, Illinois, running back
When people compare a player to Derrick Henry, he’s probably a freak. At 6-3 and 253 pounds, Feagin is actually six pounds heavier than Henry was when he measured in at the NFL combine. This offseason, Feagin vertical-jumped 39 inches (two inches more than Henry), broad-jumped 10-6 1/2 (2 1/2 inches less) and ran 21 mph, and he’s still only 20 years old. He earned All-Big Ten honorable mention recognition last year from the league’s coaches, running for 4.6 yards per carry. On a 55-yard touchdown reception last season against Minnesota, Feagin clocked 20.3 mph running away from the Gophers’ defense.
Watch: @IlliniFootball RB Kaden Feagin (@FeaginKaden) reached a max speed of 20.3 mph on this 55-yard touchdown. #ReelSpeed #Illini @wardth09
🔗 https://t.co/orrD059ykP pic.twitter.com/1x0IvXJlV8
— Reel Analytics (@RAanalytics) November 6, 2023
“I’m excited to see his hard work pay off this fall,” Illinois director of strength and conditioning Tank Wright said. “The young man is always in the weight room working on his deficiencies as well as performing extra recovery modalities for optimal performance.”
Bret Bielema has been around a bunch of star running backs but said he has never coached anyone quite like Feagin. “I literally told everyone on my staff, no one in this building is allowed to say anything to him except about playing running back,” Bielema said. “We beat Notre Dame, Ohio State, Michigan on him, and I think a lot of them were recruiting him for other positions. I showed him 12 running backs who have played for me and went to the NFL and how they’re all different sizes. He’s freaky, and he’s an awesome, grounded kid. I think he’s special.”
25. Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota, left tackle
Once rated the No. 77 offensive tackle prospect in the Class of 2019 class, Ersery has grown into a 6-6, 330-pound standout in the Big Ten. His 86.7 PFF run-blocking grade is the highest among all returning FBS tackles (only Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga,a first-round pick this spring, was rated higher in 2023). According to PFF, Ersery only allowed one pressure on 23 pass-blocking snaps against Ohio State and its two star edge rushers: Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau.
Ersery squatted 640 pounds, bench pressed 412 and did a 409-pound hand clean this offseason, but his wheels are the most impressive aspect of his game. His 1.52-second 10-yard split is a program record for offensive linemen, and he clocked 18.34 mph on the GPS. Ersery posted a 27.5-inch vertical and a 9-2 broad jump along with a pro shuttle time of 4.61.
26. Donovan Jackson, Ohio State, offensive guard
A two-time first-team All Big Ten selection, Jackson is a three-time OSU Scholar-Athlete who has started 26 consecutive games at left guard. The Texan is a former five-star recruit who has lived up to the hype. The 6-4, 320-pounder bench pressed 490 pounds this offseason and squatted 610. His agility is just as impressive. His 1.59 10-yard split is faster than any offensive linemen has ever clocked at the NFL combine since the league officially has kept that stat. (Duke’s Jacob Monk did a 1.66 this year, which tied Weber State’s Sua Opeta from 2019 as fastest.) Jackson vertical-jumped 30 inches and went 9-7 in the broad jump.
27. Rylie Mills, Notre Dame, defensive lineman
The Irish have a lot of talent on their defense and Mills (No. 10 on the Freaks List in 2023) and another freaky big man (who vertical jumps an impressive 32 inches weighing 290 pounds) anchor a very disruptive front. The 6-5 Mills had 47 tackles last season with 5.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks and two recovered fumbles. He’s down 11 pounds from last year, to 295, but benches almost the same as he used to (445 pounds) and squats 580. This offseason, he vertical-jumped 32 inches and broad-jumped 9-0. Jaylen Sneed, a 6-1, 225-pound linebacker with three years of eligibility remaining, is another freak on the defense. He vertical-jumped 38 1/2 inches and broad-jumped 10-2 1/2.
28. Will Johnson, Michigan, cornerback
The defensive MVP of the 2023 national championship game, the 6-2, 202-pound Johnson had 27 tackles last season along with four interceptions, with one returned for a touchdown, to go with eight pass breakups. Johnson had the fastest time this offseason on the team on Michigan’s reactive plyo stairs test at 2.27 seconds. He did the 3-cone drill in 6.57 seconds, displaying his ability to change directions and bend.
The best time during the past two years for corners at the last two NFL combines was 6.62, and the average time for corners at the 2024 combine was 6.88. Johnson’s 20-yard shuttle time was 4.05 seconds, which would’ve been third during the past two years in Indianapolis. (Former Michigan teammate Mike Sainristil did it in 4.01 seconds.) Johnson’s broad jump was 10-8 1/2.
“The grit that he trains with is unbelievable,” said Justin Tress, Michigan’s director of strength and conditioning. “Most DBs, they get the stigma; you have to convince them into doing stuff. Will is putting his nose into the fire and training with tight ends.”
29. Nick Singleton, Penn State, running back
After a huge debut freshman season (1,061 rushing yards, 6.8 YPC), Singleton gained 752 yards and had a 4.4 yard per carry season in 2023. He became a bigger weapon as a receiver, catching 26 passes for 308 yards. Expect Singleton and the Penn State offense to become more potent with former Kansas offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki taking over. This offseason, the 228-pound Singleton hit 23.6 mph on the GPS and trimmed his 40 time from 4.39 to 4.35. His shuttle time stayed at 4.18. His broad jump improved to 10-1. His power clean went up to 390. His 655-pound squat bumped Penn State great Saquon Barkley off of the top spot as the program’s record holder for running backs.
30. Joshua Farmer, Florida State, defensive tackle
The 6-3, 316-pound redshirt junior was a disruptive presence in the middle of the Noles dominant defense in 2023, recording 32 tackles, seven TFLs and five sacks to go along with two quarterback hurries, two pass breakups and one forced fumble. Farmer has gained over 50 pounds in his college career. This offseason, he clocked a 19.6 MPH in pads, and he also cleaned almost 400 pounds, squatted over 600 pounds and benched over 400. Even more impressively, he had a Nordbord score (which measures eccentric hamstring strength) of over 2.3. For context, that is higher than you typically see from many skill-position players.
31. Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati, defensive tackle
“The Godfather” was No. 16 on this list last year. In June, Cincinnati announced that its star defensive lineman was out indefinitely and was being treated for blood clots in his lungs. In July, coach Scott Satterfield said Corleone has returned to conditioning work with the team, and I’m told the team is optimistic he will be back this fall.
GO DEEPERMaking of ‘The Godfather’: A monster season is on the menu for Cincinnati's Dontay CorleoneThe Godfather is a rare talent. He’s 6-1 and 330 pounds. He wears size 18 shoes and has size 11 hands. He benched 485 pounds but moves really well, clocking a 1.71-second 10-yard split and a 2.81 20. He has topped out at 18.7 mph. In 2022, Corleone was PFF’s highest-rated defensive player. His 7.44 3-cone this offseason would’ve been the fastest by another defensive tackle over 300 pounds at this year’s combine, and he’s way over 300. If Corleone isn’t the strongest Bearcats player, another strong Freak-worthy option is Luke Kandra, Cincinnati’s returning All-America right guard who benched 485 pounds and did 32 reps of 225. The 322-pounder topped out at 19.16 mph and had a 4.57-second pro agility time.
Dontay Corleone was the Big 12’s third-rated interior defensive lineman in 2023, per Pro Football Focus. (Frank Bowen IV / The Enquirer / USA Today)
32. Will Campbell, LSU, left tackle
He has become the anchor of one of the country’s best offensive lines and helped Jayden Daniels win the Heisman Trophy last year. The 6-6, 323-pounder played 1,687 snaps the past two years and only allowed three sacks, and all three of those came in his true freshman season. He hasn’t allowed a sack in 15 consecutive games. Campbell is seen by his coaches as the total package for an offensive tackle.
In 2023, he clocked the fastest max velocity of any offensive lineman in college football, hitting 17.9 mph in a game. This offseason, he squatted 600 pounds. He clocked a 1.57-second 10-yard split with a 1-yard lead-in. The LSU strength staff has calculated that he generated 1,200 kg*m/s Peak Momentum, an extremely high output. For some context, teammate Harold Perkins, one of the most explosive athletes in college football, who once produced 1,927 pounds of tackling force (8,572 Newtons) on a hit in a game and has clocked 22.5 mph on the GPS, registers 1007 kg*m/s Peak Momentum that he hit on that 22.5 mph run.
33. Eugene Asante, Auburn, linebacker
He’s the prototypical heat-seeking missile backer the SEC is known for. Asante led the Tigers in tackles last season (86) and added 8.5 TFLs and five sacks. The 6-1, 219-pound younger brother of former NFL safety Larry Asante is powerful and explosive. This offseason, he squatted 635 pounds, benched 405 and clocked a 4.48 40. He’s also had a max velocity of more than 22 mph.
34. Jacob Dobbs, James Madison, linebacker
He became a fixture on the Freaks List when he was at Holy Cross, where he is the school’s all-time leader in tackles (432) and TFLs (46.5). Last year, he was No. 30 on the list after his comeback from a dislocated elbow, which resulted in a torn forearm, UCL and triceps tendon. Dobbs bounced back to run a laser-timed 3.98 shuttle and 4.59 40. He did 315 pounds on the bench for 12 reps en route to making 123 tackles with 12.0 TFLs, 6.0 sacks and three forced fumbles for the Crusaders. This offseason, the 236-pounder clocked a laser-timed 1.53 10-yard split. The best at the NFL combine for linebackers last year was 1.54.
35. Shavon Revel Jr., East Carolina, cornerback
NFL scouts told me they’re surprised Revel is still with the Pirates and that Power-4 programs didn’t do everything they could to lure him away from ECU. He is that talented. He started all 12 games for ECU in 2023, making 54 tackles with 3.5 TFLs alongside 12 passes broken up. A former high school track standout, Revel ran a 6.90 55-meter dash time, but really got on the Pirates’ wish list after he ran a 4.40 40 and broad-jumped 11 feet during a summer camp. At 6-3, 190 pounds, Revel has ideal size for an NFL corner.
Pirates CB coach Jules Montinar, who has worked at Alabama, Georgia and Florida, said Revel can run a 4.4/4.3 40 and “has great change of direction. He’s a tough, physical tackler and loves football and has great character.” Expect to hear Revel’s name (his first name is pronounced Suh-vone) a lot in the run-up to the 2025 NFL Draft.
36. Beaux Collins, Notre Dame, wide receiver
The former Clemson receiver who had 91 catches for 1,290 yards and 11 TDs in 32 games (27 starts) with the Tigers should add some juice to the Irish receiving corps. The 6-3, 208-pounder from Los Angeles put up some dazzling numbers during the training program this offseason, vertical-jumping 41 1/2 inches and broad-jumping 10-11 1/2.
37. Jonah Savaiinaea, Arizona, offensive tackle
An unheralded recruit from Hawaii who quickly emerged as an NFL prospect in Tucson. Savaiinaea allowed just two sacks on 889 snaps as a sophom*ore last year. At 6-4 and 334 pounds, Savaiinaea is surprisingly lean, with 21 percent body fat. This offseason, he ran faster than 19 mph, bench pressed 406 pounds, power cleaned 355 and squatted 532.
38. Chris Hilton, LSU, wide receiver
The Tigers have produced as many spectacular wideouts as any program during the past dozen years, and the 6-0, 190-pound junior is as explosive as any of them. A former three-time Louisiana state high jump champion, Hilton has been clocked at 23.7 mph on the GPS, an all-time LSU record. He has clocked a 1.37 10-yard split off of a 1-yard lead-in, another Tigers record. This offseason, while training in California, he ran a 4.29 40, I’m told by one of the coaches who was blown away by Hilton’s explosiveness. LSU is hoping his big-play potential expands this fall, as the Tigers need to replace two first-round receivers. Hilton finished last season strong, making three catches for 56 yards and a TD in the ReliaQuest Bowl win over Wisconsin.
39. Armand Membou, Missouri, offensive tackle
One of the country’s top O-linemen, the 6-3, 320-pound Membou, who ranked No. 39 on the list last year after running an electronic 10-yard time of 1.63 and a 20 of 2.80, has improved his ability to decelerate and redirect this offseason, according to Tigers strength coach Ryan Russell. Membou has clocked 20 mph on the GPS and squatted 650, cleaned 375 and benched 425. Tigers star WR Luther Burden III is another freakish talent who got strong consideration. The 5-11, 208 pound 20-year-old has improved his speed from a 19.9 mph the summer of his freshman year to a 21.8 this summer.
40. Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech, running back
A dynamic do-everything playmaker, Tuten accounted for 1,633 all-purpose yards in 2023, his first season in the ACC after transferring from North Carolina A&T. This offseason, the 5-11, 208-pounder clocked a 4.32 40, reached a 23.15 MPH max velocity, bench pressed 400 pounds and had a vertical jump of 39 inches. Tuten isn’t the only freakish dude in the Tech backfield. Quarterback Kyron Drones, at 6-2, 234, is almost as big as some edge rushers — and stronger than many of them. He’s squatted 550 pounds in the offseason but is fast enough to have clocked a 4.06 short shuttle and a 4.53 in the 40.
41. Monaray Baldwin, Baylor, wide receiver
He’s up to 168 pounds from 164 on his 5-9 frame. Baldwin, No. 42 on last year’s Freaks List, didn’t bench 400 pounds like he did in 2023, but 365 is still more than double his body weight. His GPS speed is up to 23.16 mph. In 2023, Baldwin had four touchdowns and led the Bears in receptions (38) and receiving yards (623).
Monaray Baldwin led Baylor in catches (38) and receiving yards (623) in 2023. (Chris Jones / USA Today)
42. Charles Grant, William & Mary, offensive tackle
Get to know this name; you will hear it a lot more leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft. Grant was voted an FCS first-team All-American in 2023 and has allowed just one sack in the last two years. A former standout wrestler, he had two offers out of high school: William & Mary and UVA Wise. He arrived weighing 240 pounds but has blossomed within the Tribe’s program, now at 6-4 1/2 and 301 pounds having hit 21 mph on the GPS and vertical-jumped 32 inches. Scouts have measured his arms at 35 inches. Tribe strength coach Kenny O’Mary said Grant has clocked a fully automatic timed 1.44 10-yard split, which is remarkably fast for any football player, let alone an offensive lineman.
43. Dylan Fairchild, Georgia, left guard
Of all the elite talent in their program, Georgia coaches said Fairchild is their biggest freak. A former two-time Georgia state heavyweight wrestling champ who went 67-0 with 67 pins in his junior and senior years of high school, Fairchild bench pressed 440 pounds, squatted, 570 and power cleaned 370 this offseason. The 6-5, 315-pound fourth-year junior has a 26-inch vertical and broad-jumped 9-2.
44. Kolbey Taylor, Vanderbilt, defensive back
The tall corner who ranked No. 22 on our list last year while at Wyoming — where some coaches saw Tariq Woolen comparisons — transferred to the SEC after making 29 tackles with seven breakups for the Cowboys. The 6-3, 185-pound Taylor, who broad-jumped 11-2 last year, did a still impressive 10-8 this offseason. He vertical-jumped 38.6 inches.
45. Santana Hopper, Appalachian State, defensive lineman
He was a freshman All-American in 2023 after producing 34 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and one fumble recovery while lining up at nose tackle and defensive end. No defensive tackle in college football was clocked as fast in-game as Hopper’s 20.0 mph. (The next fastest was 18.7 mph.) The 6-2, 265-pounder bench pressed 385 and squatted 655 this offseason and could’ve gone higher, but his coaches cut him off. He clocked a 4.70 40 with a 1.59 10-yard split.
“He is a monster, still growing and developing,” strength coach Matt Greenhalgh said. “Things are starting to click!”
46. Jordan van den Berg, Georgia Tech, defensive tackle
The former rugby player from South Africa ranked No. 15 on our list in 2023. At Penn State last offseason, measuring in at 6-3, 304 pounds, van den Berg bench pressed 455 pounds, cleaned 380 and squatted 690. He clocked a 4.70 40 and a 4.20 short shuttle with a 31-inch vertical. In three seasons at Penn State, he had four TFLs and 2.5 sacks. This offseason at Tech, he is at 300 pounds. He squatted 655 and benched 455, and his power clean improved to 385.
47. Savion Williams, TCU, wide receiver
The 6-4 wideout who was No. 56 on last year’s list is now 10 pounds bigger, up to 225. Williams led TCU with 573 receiving yards on 41 catches with four TDs in 2023 and hit 10-6 on the broad jump and posted a 40-inch vertical. This year, he squatted 600 pounds, bench-pressed 355, power cleaned 350 and clocked 22.5 mph. The former high school quarterback has a strong arm and can throw the ball 80 yards.
48. Landon Robinson, Navy, nose guard
The only nose guard in FBS to play on the kickoff team last year. The 6-0, 286-pounder, No. 92 on the Freaks List in 2023, who arrived at the Naval Academy at 240 pounds, has improved his bench 30 pounds up to 450 and his squat 50 pounds up to 650. Robinson (28 tackles last year) vertical-jumped 33 inches and clocked 20.13 mph.
49. Zachariah Branch, USC, kick returner-wide receiver
The Trojans’ first true freshman to make first-team All-American, Branch averaged a gaudy 31 yards per punt return in 2023, gaining 332 yards on 16 returns. He ran a punt and kickoff back for TDs. He rushed for 70 yards on nine carries (7.8 avg.) and had 31 catches for 320 yards (10.3 avg.) and two TDs. The 5-10, 175-pounder has added eight pounds since last season while dropping from 5.8 percent body fat to 4.6. His strength is especially impressive: Branch bench pressed 350 pounds this offseason and recorded the fastest top-end speed on the team at 23.2 mph. His 10-yard split was 1.44 seconds. Only ECU’s Chris Johnson (1.40), Alabama’s Henry Ruggs (1.43) and Georgia’s Malcolm Mitchell (1.43) have gone faster at the combine.
50. Deion Burks, Oklahoma, wide receiver
The Purdue transfer was No. 95 on the list last season and then had a breakthrough season, leading the team with 47 receptions, 629 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns. The 5-9, 190-pound junior from Michigan was an excellent get for the Sooners. Burks proved to be their strongest wideout in the squat (540 pounds), the bench press (400) and the power clean (340). He also topped all receivers in jump height measured in force plates based off his velocity at take off. Burks’ propulsive force was remarkable in terms of his ability to generate forces of nearly four times (3.86) his body weight in a vertical jump.
“Deion’s incredible strength relative to his body weight underpins his elite acceleration and change of direction ability and allows him to generate tremendous forces at a very high rate (rate of force development),” said Robert Sausaman, Oklahoma’s director of sports science. “His unique combination of size, strength and speed allows him to generate over 6500 W (about 75 W/kg) of propulsive power in a vertical jump. This rare combination of physical qualities is displayed on the field by his ability to jump off the ball, separate from defenders, and elevate to catch balls over taller defenders.”
Coaches say that Deion Burks is especially strong relative to his size. Photo: Oklahoma athletics
51. Jordan Phillips, Maryland, defensive tackle
Mike Locksley didn’t have to think too long when asked about Maryland’s biggest freak: It’s the 6-3, 320-pound sophom*ore who began his career at Tennessee.
“This kid is a manchild,” Locksley said. “He’s explosive. He’s (former Alabama star-turned-first rounder who was No. 11 on the 2016 Freaks List) Daron Payne. He’s a nose tackle, but he’s light and so twitchy.”
Phillips, a former standout wrestler and weight lifter in high school, started 10 games last year for the Terps, making 28 tackles and 1.5 TFLs. He has squatted 665 pounds, power cleaned 365 and did an overhead press of 365 pounds for two reps.
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Phillips lit up when hearing that Locksley compared him to Payne. “I love Daron Payne,” Phillips said. “That is one of my favorite players. I actually study him a lot now that he plays for the Commanders. He’s very athletic. Has great short-area quickness and is very twitchy at the line of scrimmage and has that ability to create knock-back and get in the backfield.”
52. Nash Jones, Texas State, offensive line
He started six games at left tackle for the Bobcats and missed seven games with a lower body injury. The 6-5, 320-pounder, who was No. 96 on last year’s list, had transferred from FCS Incarnate Word, where he was a three-time All-Southland selection for the nation’s highest scoring offense at the Division I level. This offseason, Jones’ bench press improved 20 pounds, to 445. He squatted 565, power cleaned 365 and vertical-jumped 32 inches.
53. Darius Alexander, Toledo, defensive lineman
One of the top draft prospects in the MAC, this sixth-year senior had 36 tackles, 5.5 TFLs and four sacks in 2023. The 6-5, 315-pounder bench pressed 400 pounds, hit 20 mph on the GPS and vertical-jumped 30 inches this offseason.
54. Ashton Jeanty, Boise State, running back
The 20-year-old star running back, a 5-9, 215-pound Texan, was the Mountain West offensive player of the year in 2023. He led the nation with 159.67 yards from scrimmage per game, which included 569 receiving yards — most among all backs in college football.
Jeanty’s 106 missed tackles forced lead the FBS, and he was the first FBS player since 2019 to amass 1,000 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards. Jeanty repeatedly has topped 22 mph in games and squatted more than 605 pounds before BSU strength coaches wouldn’t allow him to go any heavier. He power cleaned 340 pounds. The strength coaches calculated that he has a strength-to-bodyweight ratio of 6.23.
“Ashton Jeanty is pound-for-pound the strongest player I’ve ever coached in terms of his strength-to-bodyweight ratio,” said Boise State director of sports performance Benjamin Hilgart, who has spent more than 20 years in the business.
55. Trevion Williams, Mississippi State, defensive lineman
His strength coach, Shaud Williams, said the sophom*ore D-lineman is “crazy twitchy.” The 6-4, 285-pound Williams, a former four-star recruit who missed most of last season with injury, vertical-jumped 33.5 inches this offseason and bench-pressed 455. He has been clocked at 19.56 mph.
56. Mike Green, Marshall, defensive lineman
A UVA transfer, Green had a terrific debut season for the Thundering Herd: 43 tackles, including nine tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and six quarterback hurries. The 6-3, 243-pound sophom*ore has generated a lot of buzz inside the program. This summer, Green ran a 4.57 40, bench pressed 405 pounds, power cleaned 365 and squatted 525. Coach Charles Huff, who has coached at Alabama, Penn State, Maryland, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt, said Green would’ve started for the Crimson Tide while he was there.
“He is the real deal,” Huff said, adding that Green reminds him a lot of Tide great Will Anderson — perhaps not quite as powerful, but maybe more athletic.
57. Tommi Hill, Nebraska, cornerback
As he showed at both Temple and Baylor, Matt Rhule has a good eye for freaks. In the 6-foot, 205-pound Hill, he inherited a very gifted prospect.
“He’s a 42-inch vertical, 4.3 (40) guy,” Rhule said. Hill started one game on offense and seven more on defense before he moved to cornerback full-time in 2023. Hill made 26 tackles and had nine PBUs with four interceptions. Another DB to remember at Nebraska is redshirt freshman Jeremiah Charles, a 5-11, 170-pounder who has broad-jumped 11 feet and finished fifth in the triple jump (50-6 3/4) and sixth in the long jump (24-0 1/4) at the Big Ten Indoor Championships this year.
“He scored (points) in the Big Ten in a track meet and then came back and won the (football team’s) dunk contest the day they got back,” said Rhule.
58. Jacquez Stuart, Toledo, running back
The MAC’s top return man ranked No. 3 in the country in kickoff return (29.1-YPR average last year). He ran 1,344 yards in the last two seasons combined. The 5-10, 180-pounder, a 10.4 100-meter runner in high school, clocked 23.62 mph on the GPS this summer to go with a 40-inch vertical and a 10-6 broad jump, but his strength put him over the top to get on this list. Stuart benched 225 pounds 17 times this offseason and squatted 550.
59. Squirrel White, Tennessee, wide receiver
The 5-10, 165-pound junior, No. 64 on our list in 2023, is one of the fastest players in the game. White has been clocked at 23.4 mph and has a 40.6-inch vertical jump. He has run a 1.50-second 10-yard split. Last year, White had 67 catches for 803 yards and averaged 12.0 yards per catch; for his career he has nine catches of 40-plus yards, six catches of 50-plus yards and three receptions of 60-plus yards.
60. Adin Huntington, Tulane, defensive end/defensive tackle
Huntington initially began his career at Kent State before transferring to Louisiana-Monroe last year, where he caused all sorts of havoc (63 tackles, 16 TFLs, 8.5 sacks, three forced fumbles). As a high school sprinter, he competed in the 100, 200 and 400 relay and ran 11.4 in the 100,
Huntington has been described by new Tulane coach Jon Sumrall as “a bigger version of Javon Solomon,” his former star player at Troy (No. 44 on the Freaks List in 2023). “He should have a huge. year. I think he will be an NFL player.”
Huntington is about 6-1 and 287 pounds and is really explosive. He’s vertical-jumped 38 inches. This offseason, he was clocked at 20.7 mph. He squatted 600 pounds, benched 435, deadlifted 585 and cleaned 350.
61. Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt, tight end
He began his career in the SEC as a quarterback at Texas A&M, where he played in five games in two seasons before becoming an honorable mention All-Conference USA tight end for New Mexico State in 2023. The former four-star recruit showed his versatility for the Lobos, making 35 receptions for 366 yards and two touchdowns in 2023 (including one TD in their win at Auburn), while adding 29 rushes for 113 yards and two TDs on the ground. In addition, Stowers completed four passes for 99 yards and another touchdown. This offseason, Stowers followed Jerry Kill and Tim Beck to Vanderbilt and will be a full-time tight end. Stowers, a former 2019 Texas 6A high jump state champ, is now 6-4, 239 pounds and vertical-jumped 41 1/2 inches and broad-jumped 10-8 this offseason.
62. Steven Parker, Texas State, edge
Another transfer from Incarnate Word who followed coach GJ Kinne to the Bobcats, the 6-4, 265-pound senior stayed at Incarnate Word for the 2023 season, becoming an FCS All-American after piling up 36 tackles, 14.5 TFLs, 7.0 sacks, six hurries and three forced fumbles. Parker, a former high school track standout who began his college career at Kansas, power cleaned 355 pounds, benched 445, squatted 545 and clocked a 4.5 40. He had a flying 10-yard time of 1.019 seconds.
63. Jailin Walker, Indiana, linebacker
One of the players who followed Curt Cignetti to the Big Ten from James Madison, Walker earned honorable mention All-Sun Belt Conference last season after recording 61 tackles, 5.5 TFLs and forcing three fumbles. The 6-1, 220-pounder will bring the Hoosiers a lot of speed. He clocked a top speed of 22.5 mph on the GPS. He also vertical-jumped 40 inches this offseason.
“He consistently hits 21-22 mph every day,” IU linebacker Aidan Fisher said. “He can jump out of the gym. In all of his explosive efforts that we do, he comes in at No. 1 in all of ’em. It’s really impressive. He’s just so explosive.”
64. Alex Brown, Wyoming, wide receiver
The Cowboys have a trio of freaky athletes on offense. Tight end John Michael Gyllenborg is a 6-4, 248-pounder who vertical jumps 37 1/2 inches and broad jumps 10-6. Evan Svoboda is a 6-4, 245-pound quarterback who vertical-jumped 39.7 inches and broad jumps 10-0. But the biggest freak is 6-4, 203-pound Brown, who started nine games last fall and had eight catches for 106 yards. This offseason Brown broad-jumped 11-4 1/2-inches and vertical-jumped 40 inches. He clocked 22.42 mph on the GPS.
Alex Brown recorded two catches for 32 yards against Colorado State in 2023. (Troy Babbitt / USA Today)
65. Nick Morris Jr., Duke, linebacker
He has started five games and has been solid; he should make a bigger impact in 2024. The 6-3, 237-pound Morris topped out at 21.73 mph on the GPS, vertical-jumped 38 inches and broad-jumped 10-0 1/2. He benched 405 pounds and power cleaned 360.
66. Malachi Fields, Virginia, wide receiver
A former high school quarterback and cornerback, Fields is coming off a breakout junior season in which he had 58 catches for 811 yards and five touchdowns after missing almost all of 2022 with a broken foot. He has elite strength and power for a wideout: He has close-grip bench pressed 365 pounds and did 21 reps of 225 with a close grip this offseason. He front squatted 355 pounds to go with a 38-inch vertical and a 10-7 1/2 broad jump. His shuttle times are impressive, too, going 4.18 in the pro agility and 6.81 in the 3-cone, and he passed 22 mph on the GPS.
67. David Walker, Central Arkansas, outside linebacker
A three-time All-American who was No. 76 on the list last season, Walker had 57 tackles, 18 TFLs and 8.5 sacks in 2023. This offseason, the 6-2, 260-pounder trimmed his 40-yard-dash time to 4.59 seconds, maintained his vertical jump of 36 inches and upped his power clean to 385. Walker’s squat rose to 645 pounds, and he did 405 on the bench press. Teammate ShunDerrick Powell, a 5-8, 180-pound running back, who ran for 1,009 yards last year, also put up eye-popping numbers this offseason, broad jumping 11-5 and vertical jumping 41 inches.
68. Will Pauling, Wisconsin, wide receiver
At 5-10, 190, Pauling, second in the Big Ten last year with 74 catches, is a stick of dynamite. His 22 third-down catches that converted first downs was the most by a Big Ten player since 2016. His 11 contested catches in 2023 tied for the most of any returning Big Ten player. He has run 4.39 in the 40, 4.03 in the pro agility shuttle and vertical-jumped 36 inches, and he’s incredibly strong. He squatted 600 pounds this summer, deadlifted 605 and did 15 reps on the bench of 225.
“He’s such a freak,” Badgers safety Hunter Wohler said. “Pound for pound, he might be the strongest player on our team. He’s extremely fast. He understands the game so well and just plays the game with a lot of energy and a lot of passion. He’s the full package. I get to play against him every day and it makes me better.”
The other Badgers player who also merited a lot of consideration is Jake Chaney, one of the strongest linebackers in the sport and who has solid speed and agility numbers: a 9-9 broad jump and a4.70 40. The 234-pounder has squatted over 650 pounds, deadlifted 675 and bench pressed 225 pounds for 34 reps.
69. Jack Dingle, Cincinnati, middle linebacker
The son of former NFL player Nate Dingle, a Cincinnati team captain in the 1990s, Jack is 6-3 1/2, 240-pounds and built like an Adonis, coaches say. He benched 395 pounds this offseason and did 26 reps at 225. He clocked a 1.54-second 10-yard split, hit 21.99 mph on the GPS and had a 4.21 pro agility shuttle to go with a 33-inch vertical and a 9-11 broad jump. Last fall, he made 53 tackles and had five TFLs, one sack, one quarterback hurry and two fumble recoveries.
70. Kristian Varner, Georgia Southern, defensive lineman
Coaches rave about Varner’s work ethic and leadership skills. He’s coming back from an ACL surgery and has impressed people inside the program with how he’s handled everything. The 6-4, 290-pounder who began his career at UNC was cleared for full participation in late April and should be a force this fall. He bench-pressed 455 pounds, squatted 615 and cleaned 365. His body fat is also very low for an interior D-lineman at 20 percent.
71. Jarquez Hunter, Auburn, running back
One of the SEC’s top backs, Hunter has rushed for 2,172 career rushing yards and 17 touchdowns in three seasons. The 5-10, 209-pounder from rural Mississippi, who in high school lifted wearing cowboy boots, has squatted 635 pounds and could’ve done more, but the Tigers’ staff stopped him. He’s topped out at more than 22 mph and been clocked at 4.45 in the 40.
72. Cody Lindenberg, Minnesota, linebacker
He was productive while healthy last year, coming up with 31 tackles and 3.5 TFLs in four games in 2023. He has the size and skills to be a big force in the Big Ten this year. According to Gophers coaches, the 6-3, 240-pounder topped out at 21.46 mph; his pro shuttle time was 4.00 — no linebacker has moved that quick at the NFL combine since 2019, when WVU’s David Long did it in 3.97 seconds. Lindenberg broad-jumped 10-0 and vertical-jumped 36 inches. His 10-yard split was 1.51. His hang clean was 387 pounds, and he benched 350.
The Gophers’ other strong Freak contender was WR Le’Meke Brockington, a 6-0, 195-pounder junior who squatted a Minnesota skill position record 614 pounds, did 10-9 1/2 on the broad jump, 42-inches in the vertical and clocked a 1.43-second 10-yard split.
73. Marcus Wehr, Montana State, offensive tackle
This program has two other legit Freaks candidates in quarterback Tommy Mellott (who made last year’s list) and defensive end Brody Grebe, a 250-pound senior, who vertical-jumped 40 inches this offseason and had 10 sacks last year. But we’re going with the 6-2, 300-pound Wehr, a first-team All-America right tackle who was the top-rated offensive tackle in the FCS last year by PFF. Wehr squatted 600 pounds, cleaned 375 and vertical-jumped 31 inches this offseason.
74. Major Williams, Carson-Newman, defensive back
A UVA transfer, Williams had 53 tackles last year, 10 TFLs, five PBUs and an INT for the D-II program in Tennessee. “He is the leader of our team and was unanimously voted team captain,” said Carson-Newman coach Ashley Ingram, who spent 16 years as an assistant at Navy. The 6-0, 195-pounder’s measurables add to his stock as an NFL prospect. This offseason, he ran a 4.38-second 40-yard-dash, clocked a flying 10-yard time of 0.89-seconds, vertical-jumped 38.2 inches and had a top speed of 23.65 mph on the GPS. Williams squatted 550 pounds, power cleaned 315 and benched 340.
75. Justin Scott, Miami, defensive lineman
The former AAU basketball standout emerged as one of the nation’s top D-line prospects last year and became a five-star recruit. At 6-4, 298 pounds, Scott’s explosiveness is best reflected in a 9387 W peak propulsion power output, which wowed the Canes coaches. (Peak propulsive power is the amount of power created when you “take off” during a sprint off the line or take off to jump.) His 10-yard split also was clocked at 1.56 seconds.
At this year’s combine, the only D-linemen who ran faster were Chop Robinson and Dallas Turner, who each ran a 1.54 but were both almost 50 pounds lighter than Scott. “He’s around 300 and he’s super lean. Not only is he really gifted, he’s really smart,” said head coach Mario Cristobal. “He just gets it. He’s an awesome kid. He’s special. The sky is the limit.”
76. Brian Stevens, Virginia, center
You don’t see too many former high school punters (39.5 yard average) who become first-team all-conference O-linemen. He began his college career at Dayton, blossomed and then transferred to UVA last year, where he produced the fourth-highest PFF grade (77.3) for centers in the country and was the ACC’s top-graded run-blocking center. Stevens only allowed one sack last season. The 6-2 1/2, 300-pounder power cleaned 385 pounds this offseason and ran a laser-timed 1.56 10-yard sprint. He had a max speed velocity of 18.7 mph.
77. Francis Brewu, Pittsburgh, defensive lineman
This freshman from Ohio who enrolled in January quickly turned heads inside the program. The 6-1, 280-pounder squatted 675 and bench pressed 475 pounds. Pitt linebacker Brandon George, a former state runner-up in the discus and bronze medalist in the shot put, is another Freaks-caliber athlete on the defense. The 6-3, 240-pound senior vertical-jumped 40 inches this offseason.
78. Kendall Bohler, Florida A&M, cornerback
The first-team All-SWAC corner had 14 PBUs and 39 tackles last season and ranked No. 71 on this list. The 5-11, 190-pounder, who began his career at Mercer, clocked a 4.38 40, broad-jumped 10-9, and did 4.18 in the pro agility shuttle this offseason. He power cleaned 335 pounds and upped his squat to 560 pounds. Bohler’s teammate, Jeremiah Pruitte, a 6-4, 232-pound tight end who broad-jumped 11-0 this offseason and ran a 4.5 40, also received strong consideration.
79. Barryn Sorrell, Texas, defensive end
The 6-4, 260-pound senior clocked one of the fastest max velocity times of any D-lineman in college football last fall when he hit 19.4 mph during a game. Texas coaches are excited for Sorrell to take his game to another level after he had a terrific offseason. Sorrell bench pressed 425 pounds, squatted 575 and power cleaned 355, but coaches say the most impressive number is his explosive burst for his size. He consistently has registered 20 mph on the Catapult system.
Barryn Sorrell has recorded 24 starts through his first three years at Texas. (Ricardo B. Brazziell / American-Statesman / USA Today)
80. Wyett Ekeler, Wyoming, safety
The younger brother of NFL RB Austin Ekeler might soon join his older brother at the next level. Wyett was third on the team with 77 tackles last season and had 5.5 TFLs, two sacks, two INTs and seven PBUs. The 5-11, 212-pound senior free safety is super explosive like his brother, too. This offseason, he topped what his brother did at his pro day when the older Ekeler broad-jumped 40 1/2 inches. Wyett did 42 1/2 inches, but his 10-7 broad jump was an inch short of what big bro did.
81. Malin White, Buffalo, defensive end
A 6-2, 260-pound graduate transfer from Cornell, White has a 3.2 GPA and will be studying for his MBA. White, who had 21 tackles, two quarterback hurries and a forced fumble in 2023, set personal bests this offseason by squatting 705 pounds and bench pressing 430.He cleaned 385 to go with a 35 1/2 inch vertical jump and a 9-8 broad jump.
“I’ve been doing this over 20 years, and I’ve never coached an athlete more deserving of being on the Freaks List than Malin,” said Buffalo strength coach Ryan Horton, who has previously worked at Georgia Tech, Temple, Tennessee, Elon and FIU. “He does things almost daily that astonish me. Plus, he is the most humble, positive person.”
82. Chandler Brayboy, Elon, wide receiver
Brayboy is one of the best big-play men in FCS. He averaged 27 yards per kick return, 20 yards per catch and 11 yards on his 14 rushing attempts last season. He is also a gunner on punt coverage and has downed numerous punts inside the 5-yard line. Brayboy has shown to be at his best against FBS competition. He had 105 receiving yards and a touchdown last year against Wake Forest and had a 75-yard catch-and-run touchdown the year prior against Vanderbilt. The 6-1, 199-pounder’s explosiveness is reflected in his 44-inch vertical. Brayboy has clocked 22 mph on the GPS in-game.
83. Vince Genatone, Nebraska, linebacker
Genatone is a Nebraska product who won the state’s 220-pound Class A high school wrestling title and ran a 10.5 100-meter dash – but didn’t get offered by the previous staff. Genatone began his career at Montana, where he was a special teamer for a Grizzlies team in 2023 that went to the FCS national title game. Genatone transferred home and put up some impressive numbers this offseason. He broad-jumped 11 feet, vertical-jumped 38 1/2 inches and had a max velocity of 21.46 mph.
“He’s such a freak,” Nebraska coach Matt Rhule said. “He’s like our highest jumper, fastest player at 230 pounds.”
84. Emmanuel Pregnon, USC, offensive lineman
The 6-5 Wyoming transfer started 12 games at left guard for the Trojans in 2023. He has worked hard to reshape his body this offseason, going from 315 pounds to 320. Pregnon is the strongest player on the team, doing 10 reps of 315 pounds on the bench press. This offseason, he topped out at 17.8 mph on the GPS and ran a 1.68-second 10-yard split. The latter would’ve tied for the second-fastest among O-linemen at the NFL combine the past two years.
85. Kevin Pointer, Wake Forest, defensive tackle
A team captain, Pointer began his career at Louisiana-Monroe. Last season, he had a career-high 37 tackles with 18 solo tackles and nine TFLs, 1.5 sack and five quarterback hurries. The 6-1, 282-pound senior benched 495 pounds this offseason, squatted 745 and cleaned 345.
86. Garrett Greene, West Virginia, quarterback
The former star baseball catcher from Florida took over the starting quarterback job and sparked the Mountaineers to a nine-win season in 2023. Greene proved to be one of the best-kept secrets in college football as a dual-threat quarterback at a program that has had some spectacular ones during the past three decades.
He produced almost 3,200 yards of total offense with 16 passing touchdowns and 13 rushing TDs, rushing for 772 yards. The 5-11, 204-pounder ran a fast 10-yard split of 1.48 this offseason, which is three-hundredths of a second faster than any quarterback has run at the NFL combine. Greene had a 2.58 in the 20. His pro agility shuttle was excellent at 4.02. He had a 6.68 3-cone time (only three quarterbacks have ever done it faster at the combine).
87. Jackson Slater, Sacramento (Ca.) State, offensive lineman
The Washington native was a third-team FCS All-American after starting 13 games at left guard. The 6-3, 316-pound senior has started 35 consecutive games for Sacramento State, including a couple of games at left tackle in the 2022 FCS Playoffs. He power cleaned 405 pounds and squatted 635, and he moves very well for his frame, topping out at 19.96 mph.
88. Marcus Yarns, Delaware, running back
NFL scouts are fans of Yarns, even though he’s only 5-10 ¾ and 188. “He plays bigger than that,” a veteran scout said. “He runs behind his pads really well. He reminds me a lot of Taiwan Jones, who came out of Eastern Washington about a dozen years ago and was still in the NFL last year.”
Yarns, a point guard in basketball who played four years of lacrosse in high school, had offers from ECU, UConn, Memphis, Toledo and the academies. He had some Power 5 interest, but an injury in the first game of his senior year derailed that interest. He has been a great get for the Blue Hens. Last year, he had a breakout season, showing off his versatility with 1,250 all-purpose yards and 18 total TDs. Against Penn State, he had a 66-yard touchdown run. On the season, he averaged seven yards per carry. This offseason, Yarns’ top speed was 22.9 mph. He vertical-jumped 38 1/2 inches.
“Marcus is fast and smooth, explosive and long,” Delaware coach Ryan Carty said. “Awesome receiver too.”
The Blue Hens have another budding freak to watch: 5-foot-8, 168-pound freshman WR Nick Tyree, brother of former Notre Dame speedster Chris Tyree, now at Virginia. The younger Tyree set the Delaware athletics record clocking 24 mph on the GPS this summer during training.
89. Dante Chachere, Portland State, quarterback
The younger brother of Cardinals safety Andre Chachere is one of the fastest quarterbacks at any level of college football. The 6-3, 200-pounder has started 22 straight games and amassed almost 5,000 yards throwing and rushing with 35 passing TDs and 19 more on the ground. The younger Chachere clocked a 4.39 40 this offseason and vertical-jumped 40 inches and broad-jumped 10-6.
90. Marlin Klein, Michigan, tight end
The aforementioned Colston Loveland is the Wolverines freakish tight end most fans know about, but I hear they’ll probably get familiar with Klein very soon. Since arriving in Ann Arbor, Klein, who began his football career with the Cologne Crocodiles in his native Germany, has turned a lot of heads. Loveland emerged as a matchup nightmare last year thanks to his rangy frame and speed that tops out at 21.25 mph. Klein, now 6-6 and 250, hit 21.75 mph this summer. He broad-jumped 9-7.
91. Gabriel Nwosu, Penn State, kicker-punter
There were a few tempting options for the fourth Freak from the Nittany Lions. Tony Rojas, who gained 43 pounds in 19 months is now a 240-pounder who runs a 4.50 40, verticals 34 inches and who clocked a 4.08 pro shuttle time. Elliot Washington is a 205-pound corner who ran a 4.32 40 and squatted a program-DB-record 565 pounds.
But I’ll go with Nwosu. He is definitely not your average kicker or punter. The sophom*ore from Maryland is 6-6 and 280 pounds. He benched 365 pounds, squatted 525 and cleaned 330. Even more impressively, he clocked a 4.86 40 at that size, broad-jumped 9-9 and vertical-jumped 31.5-inches. As PSU’s kickoff specialist in 2023, Nwosu finished third in the Big Ten in touchbacks with 50, and was fourth in kickoff average at 63.7 yards.
92. Caleb Rogers, Texas Tech, offensive lineman
The super senior has made 42 career starts entering the 2024 season, which leads the team. The 6-5, 310-pounder, who started at left tackle in 2022 and then at right tackle in 2023, power-cleaned 406 pounds during the summer and squatted more than 600. During the spring, Rogers clocked 18.8 mph on the GPS.
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93. Daedae Hill, FAU, cornerback
The transfer from Central Michigan had 41 tackles and two INTs in 2023. The 5-10, 175-pound junior vertical-jumped 42 inches this offseason, broad-jumped 10-6 and clocked a laser-timed 4.40 40. He squatted almost 100 pounds more than twice his body weight, bench pressed 325 and cleaned 305.
94. Ty French, West Virginia, outside linebacker
The 6-1, 234-pound French was No. 74 on last year’s list while at Gardner-Webb. He left the FCS program in North Carolina as its all-time leader in sacks (34 1/2) and tackles for loss (61). This offseason after enrolling at West Virginia, he has squatted 535 pounds, benched 420 (up 40 pounds from last year), broad-jumped 10-3, had a 1.56-second 10-yard split and clocked a 4.23 in the short shuttle.
95. Cole Payton, North Dakota State, quarterback
The Nebraska native is the No. 2 on the depth chart but plays a big role in the Bison’s running game, helping out starting quarterback Cam Miller. Last year, the 6-3, 235-pound Payton ran for 615 yards and 13 touchdowns. The lefty also completed 18 of 27 passes for 289 yards and three touchdowns. Payton has drawn some comparisons to Taysom Hill. Payton had runs of 70 and 61 yards in the first two games of the season, and then later in the season, he had runs for 65 yards, 43, 36 and 25. This offseason, he vertical-jumped 38 inches, broad-jumped 10-0 to go with a 450-pound squat, 300-pound bench and 200-pound clean.
96. Dillon Thieneman, Purdue, safety
A former three-star recruit ranked as the No. 61 safety in the class of 2023, Thieneman was a revelation for the Boilers last season, earning Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors. He led Purdue with 106 tackles, which was fifth in the Big Ten among all players and the most by any freshman in the country. He was third in the nation with six interceptions to go with two forced fumbles. The 5-11 3/4, 207-pound 19-year-old has dramatically transformed his body in 18 months at Purdue, packing on 11 pounds of muscle. Thieneman has hit a top speed of 22.37 mph this offseason and clocked a 4.03 pro agility shuttle time. He did a Turkish get up with 135 pounds and was able to do five reps in the Romanian deadlift of 315 pounds for five reps.
Dillon Thieneman drastically changed his body over the course of a year and a half. Photo: Purdue athletics
97. Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M, guard
A 6-6, 320-pound strongman from New Jersey who deadlifted 615 pounds as a high schooler, Bisontis earned a spot on the SEC’s All-Freshman team last fall and has wowed the new Aggies staff. Bisontis, No. 86 on last year’s list, has bench pressed 445 pounds and hit 17 mph on the GPS. This offseason, he squatted 605 pounds for three reps, but A&M’s veteran strength coach Tommy Moffitt said Bisontis could’ve done it 10 times.
98. Jayden McGowan, Boston College, wide receiver/kick returner
The Vanderbilt transfer had 36 receptions for 383 yards and ran for 109 more last season. Bill O’Brien is hoping McGowan can bring a big spark to O’Brien’s new BC offense. The 5-8, 180-pounder clocked a 4.36 this summer and is strong for his size, benching 370 pounds, squatting 500 and power cleaning 275.
99. Donyai Taylor, UTSA, nickel
The Roadrunners have produced more than their fair share of Freaks in recent years. WR De’Corian “JT” Clark was No. 94 last year. He’s a big, strong former high school high jumper but is coming off a gruesome knee injury. There is optimism inside the program that Clark could play this fall, but for now Taylor is UTSA’s resident Freak. The 6-1, 210-pounder, who is the younger brother of former UTSA standout Dadrian Taylor, had a breakout season in 2023 with 46 tackles, seven TFLs, six quarterback hurries, an INT and forced one fumble. This offseason, Taylor vertical-jumped 38 inches, broad-jumped 10-5, ran a 4.45-second 40 and clocked 22.65 mph. He squatted 565 pounds and power cleaned 330.
“Donyai is from Shiner, Texas (population 2,095) and is a typical small school Texas high school football player,” UTSA coach Jeff Traylor said. “What I mean by that is he never came off the field in high school. He played offense, defense and all special teams. Kid just loves football. He still loves it the same.”
100. Reuben Lowery III, Chattanooga, defensive back
A Swiss Army knife for the Mocs, at 5-9, 180 the fifth-year senior has started 18 games and is a team captain. Coaches gush about him. In 2022, he was told on a Friday that a starter was ill and couldn’t play, so Lowery stepped in at a new position, switching to safety without a practice rep, and helped seat the game with his first career sack (while making a career-high nine tackles). He graduated in four years with a 4.0 GPA majoring in mechanical engineering. Lowery excels in the weight room; he has squatted 585 pounds, benched 315 and has a max velocity of 23.35 mph.
101. Brett Gabbert, Miami (Ohio), quarterback
At 6-0 and 210 pounds, Gabbert doesn’t have the size or speed of his big brother, longtime NFL quarterback Blaine Gabbert. But Brett’s toughness and resilience have folks inside the program raving. In October, he suffered a grisly broken leg during a game against Toledo. Most thought his career was over, and some thought he may never walk perfectly again.
“I knew (the bone) was sticking out because our linemen were freaking out and yelling,” coach Chuck Martin said. “They saw it, and unless you’re a medical person, you’re not really equipped to deal with that stuff. I said to myself, ‘Don’t look at it,’ but it was like a scary movie where you peek anyways. I looked at it for a half-second and got squeamish.”
Gabbert’s recollection: “I felt my fibula go first. It sounds gross but you can obviously feel and you can hear it. Then felt my tibia go, and that doesn’t feel great. I just remember throwing my helmet off and waving to the sideline just to have them come out there and cover it up because obviously the bone was sticking out. A lot is going through your head. Unfortunately, I didn’t go into shock until probably two minutes in while I was laying there. They had to set it, which was probably the most painful part. They had to clean it out because there’s pellets in it to avoid infection, which is the most serious aspect of that type of injury. I had a bunch of friends and family there. … I just felt so bad they had to see me like that. I knew I was gonna be OK. I’m a competitor. I can handle the pain. It was more brutal for my family to see me like that, honestly.”
At the hospital, doctors laid out a recovery time of 12 to 16 months. “They didn’t really know exactly what they were gonna have to do until I was under and in the operating room,” Gabbert said. “They had to put a rod in your tibia and sometimes when you put a rod in, your fibula will snap back into place how it’s supposed to be, and sometimes it doesn’t. I got lucky. My fibula snapped back into place. It was perfectly aligned.”
Gabbert finished each big stage of recovery ahead of schedule, from the time he was supposed to be non-weight bearing, to the time he was expected to be in crutches and then in a walking boot. That trimmed weeks off his recovery time. “After that, I’m not gonna lie, it was still extremely tough and hard, I was dealing with ankle pain, knee pain, leg pain just because of what they had to do. I had essentially not moved my ankle for three months. I worked every single day for multiple hours a day just trying to speed the process up.”
Martin, who has been coaching for 30-plus years, said Gabbert is as tough as any player he has been around. The quarterback battled back after breaking his collarbone in the first game of the 2022 season. “The kid is so competitive, driven, committed. He does everything right all the time. He’s like a machine. And it’s not just how he comes back from these major injuries multiple times. He’ll stand in the pocket and he’ll take a hit. His willingness to sacrifice for the team. He plays with no fear.”
When the RedHawks opened preseason practice, Gabbert was there, throwing to his teammates, back as the starter. He conceded he doesn’t feel as quick and agile as he used to, but he expects he will in a few more weeks as he gets more confident in the leg.
His goal has always been to play in Miami’s season opener against Northwestern on Aug. 31. It’ll be 315 days since the night he broke his leg, and he’s proud to say he’s right on target. “That was my goal. I wanted to give myself every opportunity to play a full season and enjoy the sport that I love. Just because it’s my last year of college.”
(Top illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; photos: Barry Reeger, AP; Trask Smith, Joe Robbins / Getty)
