Bruce Feldman reveals Top 10 college football 'FREAKS' of 2022

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The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman has released his annual college football Freaks list for the 2022 season. The list has a relatively simple goal of documenting who the sport’s top athletes are ahead of the season. In particular, Feldman looks for athletes who have unique physical abilities that set them apart from their peers.

Bruce Feldman has been working on the Freaks list for two decades now, refining how he puts it together. To compile the list Felman talks to coaches, scouts, players, and even sports information directors.

Here are the top 10 FREAKS for the 2022 season, according to Bruce Feldman and The Athletic:

Mazi Smith, Michigan, defensive lineman

Mazi Smith is a four-star recruit from the Class of 2019. He’s been a key member of the Michigan defense ever since. Now, he’s the top freak on Bruce Feldman’s list.

“It’s hard to find the right superlative to begin with. But let’s start with this: Smith does 22 reps on the bench press, but that’s with 325 (not 225). He close-grip benched 550 pounds. He vertical-jumps 33 inches. He broad-jumped 9-4 1/2. Smith, who had 37 tackles last season, has clocked a 4.41 shuttle time, which would’ve tied the best by any defensive tackle at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine, and it would’ve been better than any defensive tackle weighing 310 pounds or more in the past decade,” Bruce Feldman explains.

Simply put, there isn’t a physical test that Mazi Smith isn’t the best athlete performing. In particular, his rotations strength is off the charts. He literally maxes out Michigan’s combo-twist machine at 600 pounds. He’s the type of athlete strength coaches dream about.

Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State, wide receiver

Not to be confused with his Hall of Fame father, Marvin Harrison Jr. is a freak in his own right. It can be difficult to stand out in a crowded Ohio State receivers room, but Harrison Jr. doesn’t have a problem doing so. That’s probably because of his insane speed, as he’s maxed out running at 23 mph.

“Harrison is a big dude at 6-3 1/2, 206 pounds. He benched 380 pounds this offseason, doing 22 reps at 225. He clocked a blistering 3.94 pro shuttle time and did 10-9 on the broad jump,” Bruce Feldman listed his testing numbers.

A young player, Marvin Harrison Jr. stepped up to catch three touchdowns in the 2021-22 Rose Bowl.

Myles Murphy, Clemson, defensive lineman

A consensus five-star defensive lineman in the Class of 2020, it’s clear why Myles Murphy is such a hyped player when you look at how athletic he is.

“The 6-5, 275-pound junior is viewed by NFL scouts as a “significantly better player” than former Tiger Clelin Ferrell, who went fourth overall in the 2019 draft. Murphy bench-presses 405 pounds, power-cleans 335 and deadlifts 505. He also has vertical-jumped 35 inches, broad-jumped 10 feet and consistently clocked in the high 4.5s in the 40, according to Clemson coaches,” Bruce Feldman writes.

In 2021, Murphy was Clemson’s leading pass rusher, with 14 tackles for loss and 7 sacks. In 2022, he’s going to be asked to build on that for the Tigers’ defense.

DJ Johnson, Oregon, edge

DJ Johnson is a four-star edge rusher from the Class of 2017 who originally went to Miami, before transferring back to Oregon. Now, he’s made Bruce Feldman’s list of college football freaks, due to his versatility and production for Oregon.

“But don’t be shocked if he emerges as a big force on Dan Lanning’s defense,” Bruce Feldman writes. “Johnson had a dominant showing in the Ducks’ spring game, making five TFLs and four sacks.”

Will McDonald IV, Iowa State, edge

Iowa State edge rusher Will McDonald IV has made Bruce Feldman’s freak list in time for his redshirt senior season with the Cyclones. This comes after being relatively underrecruited out of high school. McDonald has been great for the Iowa State staff, as one of the most productive players on the Cyclones’ defense.

Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell told Bruce Feldman that McDonald can also do a backflip while standing still or jump over a car. In the body of an edge rusher, that’s an incredible talent of a player.

Kelee Ringo, Georgia, cornerback

College football fans know the name Kelee Ringo as the Georgia cornerback whose pick-six in the national championship game sealed the deal for the Bulldogs. That was his freshman season when he made All-SEC.

“Ringo’s combination of size and freakish explosiveness is reminiscent of another SEC Freak DB, Patrick Peterson. The 6-2, 215-pound Ringo, a World Class junior sprinter from Arizona who ran a 10.43 100- and 21.18 200-meter time, is a legitimate 4.3 40 guy and consistently clocks in the high-22 mph range on the GPS,” writes Bruce Feldman.

A five-star recruit and the top overall cornerback in the Class of 2020, Kelee Ringo should be one of the best defensive backs in the country.

Julius Welschof, Michigan, edge

A German-born edge rusher, Julius Welschof was a great developmental find for Michigan. They were lucky enough that he developed into a freak athlete.

“Back then, Welschof was a 6-6, 220-pound former champion moguls skier from Germany doing backflips on his skis and walking 50 yards on his hands,” Bruce Feldman reports. “Since arriving in Ann Arbor, Welschof has dazzled his teammates with his athleticism.”

Welschof is the second Wolverine to make the top 10 of Feldman’s freak list. The combined efforts of Welschof and Smith are going to make it almost impossible to beat Michigan in the trenches.

Owen Pappoe, Auburn, linebacker

A five-star recruit from the Class of 2019, Owen Pappoe was an obvious choice for Bruce Feldman’s freak list.

“He’s made 165 tackles and six sacks in his career for the Tigers, and he’s determined to bounce back from missing part of last season and the spring with a leg injury,” Bruce Feldman writes.

Reportedly, Pappoe can run a 4.32 forty-yard dash and bench presses 435 pounds.

Calijah Kancey, Pitt, defensive lineman

The Pitt defensive lineman Calijah Kancey has been a huge part of the Panthers’ recent success. So, despite being undersized, he’s earned his place on the Freak list.

“Pat Narduzzi says Kancey reminds him of Panthers legend Aaron Donald, and while that is pretty hefty talk, no doubt this guy is special too,” Bruce Feldman writes.

“Narduzzi told The Athletic this month that Kancey has been clocked running a 4.69 40. Kancey also has vertical-jumped 31 1/2 inches and bench pressed 425.”

Chris Braswell, Alabama, linebacker

Rounding out the top 10 is Chris Braswell, a linebacker on the Alabama defense. Of course, he’s not Will Anderson, who many would expect to see on this list, but Braswell is deserving in his own right to be on this list.

So, why does Braswell make the Freak list, where others do not? Well, even if he isn’t the most productive, he is the biggest freak athlete. In particular, Braswell squats 705 pounds and has a 38.5-inch vertical jump.