Since 2005, The Athletic's Bruce Feldman has put together one of the more interesting lists of the offseason. His annual "Freaks" list isn't the usual "best player at his position" type list. In fact, the list doesn't take positions into account unless that's one of the reasons they're a freak. Having said all that, four Notre Dame players making the list this year seems like yet another indicator of just how good this iteration of the Fighting Irish is.
As Feldman puts it, in order to be named a "Freak," the player has to jump ridiculously high or far (usually both) or be able to run exceptionally fast for someone who was 325 pounds or 6-foot-7, as one example. Sometimes it's someone who eats nothing but McDonald's but still dominates on the field.
So how does that translate to wins? It doesn't really, but it's still interesting to see there are four Notre Dame players: defensive tackle Francis Brewu, defensive lineman Bryce Young, offensive tackle Anthonie Knapp, and defensive lineman Elijah Hughes.
Interestingly enough, two of the Freaks are new to the Fighting Irish, and two have been in South Bend since the beginning of their careers. Brewu is the highest-ranked member of the Golden Domers at No. 24 on the list. Feldman said he put him there because he was squatting 685 pounds, bench pressing 475, and vertical jumping 33 inches at 280 pounds last year. Now the former Pitt Panther is 294 pounds and is benching 500 pounds.
Four Notre Dame football players make Bruce Feldman’s 2026 Freaks List
Bryce Young came in at No. 50 on the list, thanks to getting a bit stronger and leaner, but still improving numbers like his broad jump from 9-5 to 10-2. His vertical improved to 35 inches. His lifting numbers didn’t drop despite the weight loss; he squatted 455, with a 335-pound bench and a 335-pound clean.
Knapp checks in at No. 63, thanks to the offensive lineman still sporting a very impressive 33-inch vertical jump as well as a 9-2 broad jump. He cleaned 345 pounds, squatted 58,5 and benched 405. Finally, Hughes, a USC transfer, broad-jumped 9-9 1/2 this offseason. "To be almost 300 pounds and broad jump almost 10 feet is something," Feldman wrote. He also vertically jumped 33 inches, squatted 610 pounds, and cleaned 345.
Those four Notre Dame football players making the list shows a group that are some serious physical freaks. That physicality and strength will show up on the field as much as it does in the weight room and testing and it's clear that's one of the reasons the Irish are expected to be one of the best teams in the entire country.
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