Bruce Feldman’s annual Freaks List, a barometer of extraordinary athletic performance in college football, has once again spotlighted two standout linebackers from Syracuse.
Chris D’Appolonia, a transfer from Toledo, occupies the 45th spot on the list, celebrated for a blend of size, speed, and strength that reads like a physical specimen’s résumé. Standing 6‑foot‑3 and weighing 240 pounds, he boasts a 37‑inch vertical jump, a top speed of 21.67 mph, and a strength program that includes a 375‑pound bench press, a 565‑pound squat and a 325‑pound clean.
His collegiate résumé includes a productive stint with the Rockets, where he logged 68 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss, earning All‑MAC honors before joining the Orange.
Antoine Deslauriers, ranked 52nd, is the first true freshman in program history to lead Syracuse in tackles, a testament to his immediate impact on the field.
Deslauriers’ offseason work has produced a 390‑pound bench press, a squat that eclipses 500 pounds, a vertical leap surpassing 34 inches, and a top speed recorded at 23 mph by GPS, numbers that place him among the most physically gifted first‑year players in recent memory.
Last season he amassed 60 tackles, added 2.5 tackles for loss, two pass breakups and two forced fumbles, underscoring a well‑rounded skill set that complements his raw power.
A New Chapter for Syracuse’s Defense
With the Orange slated to resume action on September 5 as part of the Loud House series, the presence of two athletes who combine freakish metrics with proven production adds a compelling narrative to a defense eager to build on last year’s momentum.