The Athletic’s annual ‘Freaks List’ has become a benchmark for measuring the physical outliers who dominate college football, and the 2026 edition continues that tradition with a fresh crop of athletes who blend size, speed and strength in ways that stand out even among elite prospects.
Iowa’s offensive line anchor Kade Pieper broke into the top ten, landing at No. 8 after posting a 4.13‑second short shuttle, a 37.4‑inch vertical jump and a 1.52‑second 10‑yard dash, numbers that helped him set a new program record with a 680‑pound squat and earn first‑team All‑American honors last season.
Defensive end Kahmari Brown, also from Iowa, secured a No. 28 placement after leading the Colonial Athletic Association with 16 tackles for loss and 12 sacks, while his 1.56‑second 10‑yard split and 40.2‑inch vertical jump underscored his explosive athleticism.
Zach Lutmer, a Hawkeye defensive back, earned a No. 38 slot after recording 71 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and three interceptions, and he set a new Iowa DB shuttle record at 3.81 seconds, complementing a 575‑pound squat that highlighted his raw power.
Harbor’s Return to the Top
South Carolina wide receiver Nyck Harbor reclaimed the No. 1 spot after finishing third the previous year, becoming the first player in Bruce Feldman’s ranking history to achieve that feat twice; he measures 6‑foot‑6, 243 pounds with an 82.5‑inch wingspan and clocked 10.1 seconds in the 100‑meter dash and 20.20 seconds in the 200‑meter dash.
The list also notes that four of the 2025 top‑10 performers — including Harbor, Jeremiah Smith and A’Mauri Washington — returned for 2026, illustrating the continuity of physical excellence across seasons and reinforcing the notion that size and speed remain pivotal in the modern game.