Four Notre Dame football players have been named to Bruce Feldman's 2026 Freaks List, a highly anticipated annual ranking of the most freakish athletes in college football. This year's list, which includes 101 players, showcases the talent and potential of Notre Dame's defensive and offensive lines. Here's a breakdown of the four players and their impressive attributes.
The Freakish Four
Francis Brewu (No. 24): A junior defensive tackle who transferred from Pittsburgh, Brewu stands at 6-foot-1 and 285 pounds, but Feldman reports he's up to 294 pounds. His bench press of 500 pounds and 35 tackles, six tackles for loss, one sack, and one forced fumble in 12 starts for the Panthers last season make him a force to be reckoned with. Brewu's strength and presence on the defensive interior are notable.
Bryce Young (No. 50): Young, a junior defensive end, was also on last year's Freaks List. He stands at 6-6 and 260 pounds and has improved his athleticism, adding nine inches to his broad jump and logging a 35-inch vertical jump. Young's strength is evident in his 455-pound squat, 335-pound bench press, and 335-pound power clean. He should be a key player this season after recording 20 tackles and two sacks in 12 games last year.
Anthonie Knapp (No. 63): Knapp, a junior offensive guard, has moved inside to left guard after starting at left tackle in his first two seasons. His strength and athleticism are impressive, with a 33-inch vertical jump and a 9-2 broad jump. Knapp can lift 585 pounds in the squat rack, 405 pounds on the bench press, and 345 pounds in a power clean. His transition to left guard will be fascinating to watch.
Elijah Hughes (No. 72): Hughes, a senior defensive tackle, has improved his broad jump to 9-9.5 while weighing 295 pounds. He also reached 33 inches on a vertical jump, squatted 610 pounds, and cleaned 345 pounds. Hughes' defensive tackle rotation role is expected to continue, after totaling 21 tackles, three tackles for loss, and one sack in 12 games last season.
Implications and Commentary
These four players' inclusion on the Freaks List highlights Notre Dame's commitment to building a strong program driven by its offensive and defensive lines. Head coach Marcus Freeman's strategy is paying off, as these athletes showcase exceptional strength, athleticism, and potential. The Freaks List provides an interesting insight into the talent pool in college football, and these players are certainly making a name for themselves.
What makes this particularly fascinating is the contrast between the players' physical attributes and their positions. Brewu, Young, and Knapp all have impressive strength and athleticism, which is crucial for their roles on the defensive and offensive lines. Hughes, while also strong, has improved his broad jump, showcasing the potential for further development. This list serves as a reminder that freakish athletes can come in various forms and that position doesn't always define their potential.
In my opinion, the Freaks List is a valuable tool for scouting and understanding the talent in college football. It provides a unique perspective on players' physical attributes and potential, which can be crucial for teams' recruitment and development strategies. However, it's important to remember that the list is subjective and based on feedback from various experts, and it may not always align with traditional scouting metrics.
