Bruce Feldman is The Athletic’s National College Football Insider and subject matter expert on freaks of nature. He has been ranking the best athletes in college football since 2005 — the report is widely known as “The Freaks List”.
The Big Ten Conference is well represented on the 2024 edition of The Freaks List, with six Big Ten players ranked in the Top 15.
These are the most impressive athletic freaks in the Big Ten Conference:
Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan (Overall Ranking: 3)
Standing at 6’3” and 350 pounds, Kenneth Grant is no stranger to causing destruction for opposing offenses.
Why He’s A Freak: Reports from Michigan’s camp say that Grant can run the 40-yard dash in sub-5.0 seconds, can press a 115-pound dumbbell 34 times on his right and 27 times on his left, can vertical-jump 29 inches, and completed a Turkish get-up with a 150-pound dumbbell.
Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State (Overall Ranking: 7)
Jeremiah Smith has not played a collegiate snap, but he has already been labeled as the next great Ohio State receiver.
The Freshman Preseason All-American is 6’3” and 218 pounds and can run every route in the tree. Can he be the first Heisman-trophy winner for Ohio State since Troy Smith in 2006?
Why He’s A Freak: Smith can bench press 355 pounds, squat 530 pounds, broad jump 10-10, vertical jump 36 inches, and run a max speed of 23.29 mph. He’s only 18.
Logan Jones, C, Iowa (Overall Ranking: 9)
There’s no wonder why Logan Jones has been feature on The Freak Lists for multiple years.
The third team All-Big center first displayed his superb athleticism in high school, where he won a state title in shot put and discus.
Why He’s A Freak: To put simply, the big guy can move weight and can move himself. Jones can squat 695 pounds (program record), hang clean 470 pounds, vertical jump ~37 inches, clocked a 1.53 10-yard split (an Iowa OL record), and ran the 20-yard shuttle in 4.09 seconds — which is .05 faster than the best time an offensive lineman completed at the combine (Jason Kelce in 2011). Not bad company.
Jordan Burch, DL, Oregon (Overall Ranking: 10)
Another repeat participant on the Freaks List. Burch’s insane athleticism led to great on-field production, where he racked up 34 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 27 QB Pressures, and three sacks.
Why He’s A Freak: Jordan Burch can vertical jump to 35 inches and can hit 20.75 mph (a 6’5” 295 pound man is NOT supposed to move like that). Burch also squats 685 pounds and sumo deadlift 685 pounds.
Abdul Carter, DE, Penn State (Overall Ranking: 12)
Abdul Carter transitioned from line backer to defensive end, and it proved to be a good decision from the Penn State brass.
In 2023, Carter racked up 48 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, an INT, a forced fumble, five PBUs, and five quarterback hurries.
Can Abdul Carter be taken first overall in the 2025 Draft? It’s possible.
Why He’s A Freak: Carter’s return to the Freak List isn’t really a surprise. Carter can hit 22.4 mph, vertical jump 33.5 inches, power clean 350 pounds, bench press 375 and squat 600. ‘Nough said.
Alex Orji, QB, Michigan (Overall Ranking: 13)
Taking the reigns of a defending national champion program is not for the weak, but Alex Orji has the physical gifts to heave Michigan to a succesful season.
Firstly, Alex Orji is a tank at the quarterback position, standing at 6’3” and 238 pounds, and he will certainly be a force in the run game.
Why He’s A Freak: He vertical jumps 41 inches, broad jumps 10-7, clocked a 6.62 3-cone drill time and ran 4.06 seconds in the pro agility shuttle. Again, he’s 6’3” and 238 pounds. And plays QB.
Thanks for reading The Rational Football League Newsletter! Make sure you subscribe the newsletter for more relevant football content. See ya in the next one!