Quote:3. Kenneth Grant, Michigan, defensive tackle
The Wolverines have produced more freak defensive linemen in the last half-dozen years than anyone, from Rashan Gary (first-rounder), Kwity Paye (first-rounder), Aidan Hutchinson (first-rounder) and Mazi Smith (first-rounder) to Kris Jenkins (second-rounder). The 6-3, 350-pound Grant is the biggest of all of them. As a sophomore, he helped anchor the nation’s No. 1 defense for the national champion Wolverines, making 29 tackles, 5.0 for loss, with 3.5 sacks; six quarterback hurries, five pass breakups, one interception and one fumble recovery. When Grant arrived in Ann Arbor as a three-star recruit from Indiana, Jim Harbaugh raved about the then-360-pounder running a sub-5.0 40. Anyone doubting Grant’s speed (a max of 18.75 mph on the GPS) only needed to see him run down Penn State running back Kaytron Allen in the open field last year. His ability to fly up Michigan’s reactive plyo stairs test, a series of seven 26-inch-high stairs that players attempt to jump up as fast as possible, is truly freakish. This offseason, Grant pressed a 115-pound dumbbell 34 times on his right and 27 times on his left. He vertical-jumped 29 inches and did a Turkish get-up with a 150-pound dumbbell.

“Watching KG move is like a work of art,” said Justin Tress, Michigan’s director of strength and conditioning. “He plays and trains violent and explosive.”

Quote:4. Jaeden Roberts, Alabama, offensive lineman
The 6-5, 322-pound junior is one of the most impressive-looking lineman in football. He has 18 percent body fat and 272 pounds of lean muscle on his frame. There are many Bunyan-like tales of his feats of strength growing up. Since arriving in Tuscaloosa, Roberts, the Tide’s starting right guard, has continued to power up. He squatted 825 pounds, benched 525 and power cleaned 405 this summer.

The day I met @jaedensta he told me he wanted to hold the gym record for most weight ever pushed on the sled.

Today, at 16 years old, he did it; 1400 pounds ?@StackSports @bestweightroom@SportsCenter @DeFrancosGym@GPCwallace @JPRockMO @AllenTrieu @BleacherReport @rivalsmike pic.twitter.com/HkKzP7Pdon

— Joseph Potts (@TopSpeedLLC) May 31, 2019

Quote: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.

Quote: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.

(08-10-2024, 11:16 AM)Truck_1_0_1_ Wrote: Fairchild is something I could get behind: so long as his play reflects his freakishness

Quote: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.

Quote:51. Jordan Phillips, Maryland, defensive tackle

Mike Locksley didn’t have to think too long when asked about biggest freak. It’s the 6-3, 320-pound sophomore 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.


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.”

Quote: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.