Feldman's 2022 "Freaks List" (Reference for 2023 Draft)
Aug 10, 2022 20:01:17 GMT -6
Purple Pain, legendsofthenorth, and 2 more like this
Post by Uncle on Aug 10, 2022 20:01:17 GMT -6
It's early/mid Aug 2022 which means all attention should be on the Vikings TC, preseason and the start of a new "era" under O'Connell & Kwesi, and the farthest thing from anyone's mind should be the 2023 NFL Draft. I agree, but it doesn't hurt to just bookmark some reference points for the future.
One of those reference points is Bruce Feldman's annual CFB "Freaks List" - the point being to "showcase guys who generate buzz inside their programs by displaying the rare physical abilities that wow even those who observe gifted athletes every day." I often referenced the 2021 "Freaks List" during the 2021 college season and during the pre-Draft process.
Feldman published his 2022 CFB Freaks List in The Athletic today (8/10/22) - link. If you don't want to click on the article, I've put together all 100 names below. Last year was the first time the list was expanded to 100 players - in previous years it was only 50 players long.
Also, since Quarterback, Center/Guard and Tight End could very well be positions of need in the 2023 Draft for the Vikings, I've spotlighted Feldman's write-ups for the players at those positions that are draft eligible in 2023...
1. Mazi Smith, Michigan, defensive tackle
2. Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State, wide receiver
3. Myles Murphy, Clemson, defensive end
4. DJ Johnson, Oregon, edge
5. Will McDonald IV, Iowa State, defensive end
6. Kelee Ringo, Georgia, cornerback
7. Julius Welschof, Michigan, edge
8. Owen Pappoe, Auburn, linebacker
9. Calijah Kancey, Pitt, defensive tackle
10. Chris Braswell, Alabama, linebacker
11. Zack Kuntz, Old Dominion, tight end
Penn State has had a bunch of gifted tight ends and a few who ended up leaving to flourish at other programs. Kuntz, a former high school track star who was a state champion in hurdles, has blossomed at Old Dominion. In 2021, he won first-team All-Conference USA honors and was second in the country among tight ends with 73 receptions to go with 692 yards. At 6-8 1/4, 251 pounds, Kuntz is an eye-popping blend of great size and athleticism. This offseason he clocked a 4.57 40 to go with his 40-inch vertical and 10-8 broad jump. His explosiveness is also reflected in a 365-pound clean.
12. Maason Smith, LSU, defensive lineman
13. Andre Carter II, Army, outside linebacker
14. Bryan Bresee, Clemson, defensive tackle
15. Andrei Iosivas, Princeton, wide receiver
16. Dylan Horton, TCU, defensive end
17. Gabe Hall, Baylor, defensive lineman
18. Braelon Allen, Wisconsin, running back
19. Riley Moss, Iowa, cornerback
20. Keion White, Georgia Tech, defensive lineman
21. Je’Quan Burton, FAU, wide receiver
22. Trevor Reid, Louisville, left tackle
23. Quentin Johnston, TCU, wide receiver
24. Jaylen Wright, Tennessee, running back
25. Christian Gonzalez, Oregon, cornerback
26. Roschon Johnson, Texas, running back
27. Luke Musgrave, Oregon State, tight end
The nephew of former Oregon quarterback Bill Musgrave, now the offensive coordinator at Cal, looks like a future NFL tight end. In 2021, he caught 22 passes for 304 yards and one touchdown, but the 6-6, 250-pounder has the kind of athleticism made for Sundays.
The younger Musgrave was an elite high school long jumper and triple jumper. He also excelled at lacrosse and in alpine skiing. This offseason, Musgrave vertical-jumped 36 1/2 inches, broad-jumped 10-1 3/4, clocked a 4.51 40 and did 4.21 in the pro agility — all terrific numbers for a tight end this size.
28. Joe Tippmann, Wisconsin, center
The 6-6, 323-pounder made honorable mention All-Big Ten in his first season as a starter for the Badgers. Tippmann is a terrific combination of strength (635-pound back squat and 455-pound bench) and athleticism, clocking a 4.31 pro agility time and a 1.65 10-yard split, which would’ve been faster than any O-lineman at the NFL combine this year.
29. Trenton Simpson, Clemson, linebacker
30. Adetomiwa Adebawore, Northwestern, defensive end
31. DJ Turner, Michigan, cornerback
32. Elijah Higgins, Stanford, wide receiver
33. and 34. The Brown Twins, Illinois
35. Devon Achane, Texas A&M, running back/kick returner
36. BJ Thompson, Stephen F. Austin, defensive end
37. Jesus Gibbs, Towson, defensive lineman
38. Cam Hart, Notre Dame, cornerback
39. Arian Smith, Georgia, wide receiver
40. Thor Griffith, Harvard, defensive tackle
41. Cedric Johnson, Ole Miss, defensive lineman
42. Noah Sewell, Oregon, linebacker
43. Tyler Harrell, Alabama, wide receiver
44. Jacob Dobbs, Holy Cross, linebacker
45. Brock Bowers, Georgia, tight end (not eligible for 2023 Draft)
46. Kenneth Grant, Michigan, defensive tackle
47. Christian Young, Arizona, safety
48. Payton Wilson, NC State, linebacker
49. Derek Parish, Houston, defensive lineman/fullback
50. Anthony Richardson, Florida, quarterback
We never have many quarterbacks on this list, but this is a rare athlete. Richardson is a chiseled 6-4, 238 pounds with just 10 percent body fat and says he has run a 4.4 40 and can throw a football 75 yards. Football insiders eye-balling college quarterbacks at this summer’s Manning Passing Academy were wowed by Richardson’s physical tools, saying he and Kentucky’s Will Levis were well above and beyond every other quarterback there. Richardson cleans 325 pounds and squatted 500 this offseason.
“Anthony is physically built like an outside linebacker — tall, long, and chiseled out of stone,” said Florida strength coach Mark Hocke. “Has the athleticism (speed and agility) and bounce (plays above the rim) of a running back/wide receiver combined with a Jugs machine for an arm.”
51. Bryce Foster, Texas A&M, offensive lineman (not eligilble for 2023 Draft)
52. Monte Pottebaum, Iowa, fullback
53. Isaiah Mullens, Wisconsin, defensive end
54. Tyler Scott, Cincinnati, wide receiver/kick returner
55. Hunter Luepke, North Dakota State, fullback
56. Rylie Mills, Notre Dame, defensive lineman
57. Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, TCU, cornerback
58. Ashton Gillotte, Louisville, defensive end
59. Starling Thomas V, UAB, cornerback
60. Jakorian Bennett, Maryland, cornerback
61. Rakim Jarrett, Maryland, wide receiver
62. Brian Branch, Alabama, defensive back
63. Dylan McMahon, NC State, offensive lineman
He played both guard spots and center in 2021. The 6-4, 300-pounder leads an excellent batch of State linemen with defensive tackle Josh Harris and center Grant Gibson also worthy of spots on this list. McMahon power-cleans over 400 pounds and vertical-jumped 32 inches this offseason.
64. Isaiah Land, FAMU, edge
65. Elijah Chatman, SMU, defensive tackle
66. Tyleik Williams, Ohio State, defensive tackle
67. Tre Tucker, Cincinnati, wide receiver/kick returner
68. Bryce Ford-Wheaton, West Virginia, wide receiver
69. Ji’Ayir Brown, Penn State, safety
70. Micah Bernard, Utah, running back
71. Jordan Jefferson, West Virginia, defensive lineman
72. Brevin Allen, Campbell, defensive end
73. Kyle Hergel, Texas State, offensive guard
The Bobcats have another Freak O-lineman from Canada. This one doesn’t have the same belly-out poses that Liam Dobson had, but the 6-3, 305-pounder from Toronto is deserving of this spot. Hergel, a 2021 All-Sun Belt honorable mention selection, vertical-jumped 34 inches this offseason and broad-jumped 9-4. His 40 time was 5.01. He power-cleaned 385 and benched 500.
74. Will Jones, USF, safety
75. Daewood Davis, Western Kentucky, wide receiver
76. Justin Flowe, Oregon, linebacker
77. David Durden, West Florida, wide receiver
78. Josh Whyle, Cincinnati, tight end
The Bearcats have produced a bunch of Freaks in Luke Fickell’s run at UC alongside strength coach Brady Collins, and the 6-7, 252-pound Whyle is a legit talent. He caught 26 passes for 332 yards and six touchdowns in the CFP run last season. He moves extremely well for a big man, clocking a 4.65 40 to go with a 35 1/2-inch vertical jump and a broad jump of 10-3 1/2. He has also topped 20 mph on the GPS and done 16 reps of 225.
79. Lorenzo Styles, Notre Dame, wide receiver
80. Andy Vujnovich, Wisconsin, punter
81. Cam Bright, Washington, linebacker
82. BJ Wilson, Quincy, offensive lineman
Get to know Wilson now. NFL scouts are already on the massive Division II lineman. Coming out of St. Louis, Wilson had a few schools, including Northern Iowa, hoping to get him to walk on after he displayed athleticism on the football field and the basketball court. Instead, he came to Quincy University as a tight end. After the first semester, he was moved to the O-line, where he worked to get his weight over 300 pounds and began to blossom. The coaches love his flexibility and his work ethic — he graduated with a 3.4 GPA and a computer science degree. This offseason, the 6-7, 320-pounder clocked a 5.2 40 and ran 4.7 pro agility shuttle time. “He’s a very freaky athlete for his size,” said Tim Ladd, Quincy’s O-line coach and strength and conditioning coach.
83. Gervon Dexter, Florida, defensive tackle
84. Nick Hampton, Appalachian State, outside linebacker
85. YaYa Diaby, Louisville, defensive lineman
86. Jaylon Hutchings, Texas Tech, defensive lineman
87. Abraham Beauplan, Marshall, linebacker
88. Christian Clayton, UTSA, defensive tackle
89. Tyler Warren, Penn State, tight end (not eligible in 2023 Draft)
90. Dion Bergan, Wake Forest, nose tackle
91. McClendon Curtis, Chattanooga, offensive guard
Last year the Mocs had Cole Strange at left guard and this giant at right guard. Strange went in the first round to the Patriots, and Curtis, a nimble 6-6, 330-pounder working on his master’s, is on scouts’ radars. Curtis has made first-team All-SoCon the past two seasons and also made the league’s honor roll with a 4.0 GPA. He chose to stay at hometown Chattanooga coming out of high school over FBS offers from Appalachian State, Georgia Southern, MTSU, Ohio, Temple and Western Kentucky. This offseason Curtis has deadlifted 775 pounds, power-cleaned 345, and his body fat was measured at 23.7 percent.
92. Titus Leo, Wagner, linebacker
93. DeWayne McBride, UAB, running back
94. Elijah Simmons, Tennessee, defensive tackle
95. Keaton Mitchell, East Carolina, running back
96. Rasheen Ali, Marshall, running back
97. David Walker, Central Arkansas, defensive lineman
98. Carson Steele, Ball State, running back
99. Andrew Vorhees, USC, offensive lineman (plays on left side so may not be on Vikings radar)
100. Chris Elmore, Syracuse, fullback
One takeaway I had when looking at this: Michigan has three "Freaks" in the Top 50 and all on the DL (two in the Top 10). Yes, they lost Hutchinson and Ojabo to the 2022 Draft, but it looks like they could have suitable replacements lined up behind them.
One of those reference points is Bruce Feldman's annual CFB "Freaks List" - the point being to "showcase guys who generate buzz inside their programs by displaying the rare physical abilities that wow even those who observe gifted athletes every day." I often referenced the 2021 "Freaks List" during the 2021 college season and during the pre-Draft process.
Feldman published his 2022 CFB Freaks List in The Athletic today (8/10/22) - link. If you don't want to click on the article, I've put together all 100 names below. Last year was the first time the list was expanded to 100 players - in previous years it was only 50 players long.
Also, since Quarterback, Center/Guard and Tight End could very well be positions of need in the 2023 Draft for the Vikings, I've spotlighted Feldman's write-ups for the players at those positions that are draft eligible in 2023...
1. Mazi Smith, Michigan, defensive tackle
2. Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State, wide receiver
3. Myles Murphy, Clemson, defensive end
4. DJ Johnson, Oregon, edge
5. Will McDonald IV, Iowa State, defensive end
6. Kelee Ringo, Georgia, cornerback
7. Julius Welschof, Michigan, edge
8. Owen Pappoe, Auburn, linebacker
9. Calijah Kancey, Pitt, defensive tackle
10. Chris Braswell, Alabama, linebacker
11. Zack Kuntz, Old Dominion, tight end
Penn State has had a bunch of gifted tight ends and a few who ended up leaving to flourish at other programs. Kuntz, a former high school track star who was a state champion in hurdles, has blossomed at Old Dominion. In 2021, he won first-team All-Conference USA honors and was second in the country among tight ends with 73 receptions to go with 692 yards. At 6-8 1/4, 251 pounds, Kuntz is an eye-popping blend of great size and athleticism. This offseason he clocked a 4.57 40 to go with his 40-inch vertical and 10-8 broad jump. His explosiveness is also reflected in a 365-pound clean.
12. Maason Smith, LSU, defensive lineman
13. Andre Carter II, Army, outside linebacker
14. Bryan Bresee, Clemson, defensive tackle
15. Andrei Iosivas, Princeton, wide receiver
16. Dylan Horton, TCU, defensive end
17. Gabe Hall, Baylor, defensive lineman
18. Braelon Allen, Wisconsin, running back
19. Riley Moss, Iowa, cornerback
20. Keion White, Georgia Tech, defensive lineman
21. Je’Quan Burton, FAU, wide receiver
22. Trevor Reid, Louisville, left tackle
23. Quentin Johnston, TCU, wide receiver
24. Jaylen Wright, Tennessee, running back
25. Christian Gonzalez, Oregon, cornerback
26. Roschon Johnson, Texas, running back
27. Luke Musgrave, Oregon State, tight end
The nephew of former Oregon quarterback Bill Musgrave, now the offensive coordinator at Cal, looks like a future NFL tight end. In 2021, he caught 22 passes for 304 yards and one touchdown, but the 6-6, 250-pounder has the kind of athleticism made for Sundays.
The younger Musgrave was an elite high school long jumper and triple jumper. He also excelled at lacrosse and in alpine skiing. This offseason, Musgrave vertical-jumped 36 1/2 inches, broad-jumped 10-1 3/4, clocked a 4.51 40 and did 4.21 in the pro agility — all terrific numbers for a tight end this size.
28. Joe Tippmann, Wisconsin, center
The 6-6, 323-pounder made honorable mention All-Big Ten in his first season as a starter for the Badgers. Tippmann is a terrific combination of strength (635-pound back squat and 455-pound bench) and athleticism, clocking a 4.31 pro agility time and a 1.65 10-yard split, which would’ve been faster than any O-lineman at the NFL combine this year.
29. Trenton Simpson, Clemson, linebacker
30. Adetomiwa Adebawore, Northwestern, defensive end
31. DJ Turner, Michigan, cornerback
32. Elijah Higgins, Stanford, wide receiver
33. and 34. The Brown Twins, Illinois
35. Devon Achane, Texas A&M, running back/kick returner
36. BJ Thompson, Stephen F. Austin, defensive end
37. Jesus Gibbs, Towson, defensive lineman
38. Cam Hart, Notre Dame, cornerback
39. Arian Smith, Georgia, wide receiver
40. Thor Griffith, Harvard, defensive tackle
41. Cedric Johnson, Ole Miss, defensive lineman
42. Noah Sewell, Oregon, linebacker
43. Tyler Harrell, Alabama, wide receiver
44. Jacob Dobbs, Holy Cross, linebacker
45. Brock Bowers, Georgia, tight end (not eligible for 2023 Draft)
46. Kenneth Grant, Michigan, defensive tackle
47. Christian Young, Arizona, safety
48. Payton Wilson, NC State, linebacker
49. Derek Parish, Houston, defensive lineman/fullback
50. Anthony Richardson, Florida, quarterback
We never have many quarterbacks on this list, but this is a rare athlete. Richardson is a chiseled 6-4, 238 pounds with just 10 percent body fat and says he has run a 4.4 40 and can throw a football 75 yards. Football insiders eye-balling college quarterbacks at this summer’s Manning Passing Academy were wowed by Richardson’s physical tools, saying he and Kentucky’s Will Levis were well above and beyond every other quarterback there. Richardson cleans 325 pounds and squatted 500 this offseason.
“Anthony is physically built like an outside linebacker — tall, long, and chiseled out of stone,” said Florida strength coach Mark Hocke. “Has the athleticism (speed and agility) and bounce (plays above the rim) of a running back/wide receiver combined with a Jugs machine for an arm.”
51. Bryce Foster, Texas A&M, offensive lineman (not eligilble for 2023 Draft)
52. Monte Pottebaum, Iowa, fullback
53. Isaiah Mullens, Wisconsin, defensive end
54. Tyler Scott, Cincinnati, wide receiver/kick returner
55. Hunter Luepke, North Dakota State, fullback
56. Rylie Mills, Notre Dame, defensive lineman
57. Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, TCU, cornerback
58. Ashton Gillotte, Louisville, defensive end
59. Starling Thomas V, UAB, cornerback
60. Jakorian Bennett, Maryland, cornerback
61. Rakim Jarrett, Maryland, wide receiver
62. Brian Branch, Alabama, defensive back
63. Dylan McMahon, NC State, offensive lineman
He played both guard spots and center in 2021. The 6-4, 300-pounder leads an excellent batch of State linemen with defensive tackle Josh Harris and center Grant Gibson also worthy of spots on this list. McMahon power-cleans over 400 pounds and vertical-jumped 32 inches this offseason.
64. Isaiah Land, FAMU, edge
65. Elijah Chatman, SMU, defensive tackle
66. Tyleik Williams, Ohio State, defensive tackle
67. Tre Tucker, Cincinnati, wide receiver/kick returner
68. Bryce Ford-Wheaton, West Virginia, wide receiver
69. Ji’Ayir Brown, Penn State, safety
70. Micah Bernard, Utah, running back
71. Jordan Jefferson, West Virginia, defensive lineman
72. Brevin Allen, Campbell, defensive end
73. Kyle Hergel, Texas State, offensive guard
The Bobcats have another Freak O-lineman from Canada. This one doesn’t have the same belly-out poses that Liam Dobson had, but the 6-3, 305-pounder from Toronto is deserving of this spot. Hergel, a 2021 All-Sun Belt honorable mention selection, vertical-jumped 34 inches this offseason and broad-jumped 9-4. His 40 time was 5.01. He power-cleaned 385 and benched 500.
74. Will Jones, USF, safety
75. Daewood Davis, Western Kentucky, wide receiver
76. Justin Flowe, Oregon, linebacker
77. David Durden, West Florida, wide receiver
78. Josh Whyle, Cincinnati, tight end
The Bearcats have produced a bunch of Freaks in Luke Fickell’s run at UC alongside strength coach Brady Collins, and the 6-7, 252-pound Whyle is a legit talent. He caught 26 passes for 332 yards and six touchdowns in the CFP run last season. He moves extremely well for a big man, clocking a 4.65 40 to go with a 35 1/2-inch vertical jump and a broad jump of 10-3 1/2. He has also topped 20 mph on the GPS and done 16 reps of 225.
79. Lorenzo Styles, Notre Dame, wide receiver
80. Andy Vujnovich, Wisconsin, punter
81. Cam Bright, Washington, linebacker
82. BJ Wilson, Quincy, offensive lineman
Get to know Wilson now. NFL scouts are already on the massive Division II lineman. Coming out of St. Louis, Wilson had a few schools, including Northern Iowa, hoping to get him to walk on after he displayed athleticism on the football field and the basketball court. Instead, he came to Quincy University as a tight end. After the first semester, he was moved to the O-line, where he worked to get his weight over 300 pounds and began to blossom. The coaches love his flexibility and his work ethic — he graduated with a 3.4 GPA and a computer science degree. This offseason, the 6-7, 320-pounder clocked a 5.2 40 and ran 4.7 pro agility shuttle time. “He’s a very freaky athlete for his size,” said Tim Ladd, Quincy’s O-line coach and strength and conditioning coach.
83. Gervon Dexter, Florida, defensive tackle
84. Nick Hampton, Appalachian State, outside linebacker
85. YaYa Diaby, Louisville, defensive lineman
86. Jaylon Hutchings, Texas Tech, defensive lineman
87. Abraham Beauplan, Marshall, linebacker
88. Christian Clayton, UTSA, defensive tackle
89. Tyler Warren, Penn State, tight end (not eligible in 2023 Draft)
90. Dion Bergan, Wake Forest, nose tackle
91. McClendon Curtis, Chattanooga, offensive guard
Last year the Mocs had Cole Strange at left guard and this giant at right guard. Strange went in the first round to the Patriots, and Curtis, a nimble 6-6, 330-pounder working on his master’s, is on scouts’ radars. Curtis has made first-team All-SoCon the past two seasons and also made the league’s honor roll with a 4.0 GPA. He chose to stay at hometown Chattanooga coming out of high school over FBS offers from Appalachian State, Georgia Southern, MTSU, Ohio, Temple and Western Kentucky. This offseason Curtis has deadlifted 775 pounds, power-cleaned 345, and his body fat was measured at 23.7 percent.
92. Titus Leo, Wagner, linebacker
93. DeWayne McBride, UAB, running back
94. Elijah Simmons, Tennessee, defensive tackle
95. Keaton Mitchell, East Carolina, running back
96. Rasheen Ali, Marshall, running back
97. David Walker, Central Arkansas, defensive lineman
98. Carson Steele, Ball State, running back
99. Andrew Vorhees, USC, offensive lineman (plays on left side so may not be on Vikings radar)
100. Chris Elmore, Syracuse, fullback
One takeaway I had when looking at this: Michigan has three "Freaks" in the Top 50 and all on the DL (two in the Top 10). Yes, they lost Hutchinson and Ojabo to the 2022 Draft, but it looks like they could have suitable replacements lined up behind them.
... and neither is this Chris guy.