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Every season since 2005, Bruce Feldman at the Athletic releases his annual 'Freaks List' which is geared towards highlighting some of the most physically gifted athletes in college football. It could range from weight room numbers, testing numbers given a player's height and weight or their uncanny physical abilities on the football field. In recent years, we've seen players from Notre Dame get listed by Feldman like last season. Defensive end Bryce Young and tight end Eli Raridon were named. This season, four Fighting Irish trench players were listed, and the last one might shock you.  

No. 24 – Francis Brewu, Defensive Tackle

"A powerhouse who came in at No. 24 last year while playing at Pitt, Brewu had remarkable numbers, especially for being 19 years old at the time: squatting 685 pounds, bench pressing 475 and vertical jumping 33 inches at 280 pounds," Feldman explained. "He also was a force on the field, making 36 tackles and seven TFLs for the Panthers in his sophomore season.

"He’s since moved on to South Bend, where he’s up to 294 pounds and is now benching 500 pounds, the testing number he is most proud of," Feldman continued. "The Irish have some freaky players on their defense; another who merited consideration is Jaylen Sneed, a 225-pound linebacker who vertical jumped 38 1/2 inches and broad jumped 10-3 this summer."

Brewu was a part of the wave that revitalized the interior of Notre Dame's defensive line. His arrival sparked a lot of interested in the Irish defensive trenches. The 6-1, 285-pound defensive tackle is fresh off of an All-ACC Honorable Mention season with Pitt and looks to continue that trend with Notre Dame. He first went viral for his abilities in the weight room during winter workouts back in January/February. 

No. 50 – Bryce Young, Defensive End

"The son of former ND and San Francisco 49ers great Bryant Young and former Irish track star Kristin Young was No. 44 on the Freaks List last year," Feldman stated. "At 6-6, 260 pounds (down 10 from last year), Young made a big jump in his broad jump (literally) 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 to go with a 335-pound bench and 335-pound clean. On the field in 2025, he had 20 tackles, two sacks and four QB hurries. As a freshman in 2024, he blocked three kicks and made 23 tackles."

Young is the only repeat member for the Irish on Feldman's Freaks List and it makes sense as to why. Seeing him up close and in person, the North Carolina native is beyond impressive physically. This season, Young is poised to make a jump into the national spotlight, and with a 6-6, 260-pound, twitchy foundation, he has all the physical tools to get that done. 

No. 63 – Anthonie Knapp, Left Guard

"The 6-4, 304-pounder started 27 games in his first two seasons after arriving as a three-star recruit," Feldman said of the junior offensive lineman. "He was Notre Dame’s left tackle in 2025. Knapp improved his athleticism this offseason, hitting a 33-inch vertical jump as well as a 9-2 broad jump. He cleaned 345 pounds, squatted 585 and benched 405."

It's not common to see a true freshman start along Notre Dame's offensive line. Even players like Zack Martin and Quenton Nelson didn't start with the Irish during their first year in college. Knapp was one of those players, and he showcased from an early age that he had the physical strength to move people in the run game. To this day, he's still one of the strongest players on the roster, and it shows when he's on the practice field and on Saturdays. 

No. 72 – Elijah Hughes, Defensive Tackle

"A former high-level shot putter in high school who began his college career at archrival USC, the 6-3, 295-pound Hughes had 21 tackles and three TFLs last year as part of a talented D-line," Feldman said of the former Trojan transfer. "Hughes’ explosiveness from his track background shows up well in his testing numbers. He broad jumped 9-9 1/2 this offseason. To be almost 300 pounds and broad jump almost 10 feet is something. He also vertical jumped 33 inches, squatted 610 pounds and cleaned 345."

Hughes was the surprise entry on this list amongst Notre Dame fans. He had a relatively quiet first season with the Irish, but he was productive and made the most of his opportunities. One of the reasons they Hughes from the portal was his physical traits, and this season he'll have the opportunity to put those on full display. 

ND OPPONENTS ON FELDMAN'S FREAKS LIST

No. 4 – OT Jackson Cantwell, Miami
No. 19 – RB D'Andre Hardeman Jr., Rice
No. 46 – DT Junior Poyser, Wisconsin
No. 51 – LB Marcus Bleazard, Navy
No. 52 – LB Antoine Deslauriers, Syracuse
No. 53 – RB Abu Sama II, Wisconsin
No. 76 – WR Yamir Knight, SMU 
No. 77 – CB Javon Robinson, Wisconsin
No. 93 – DL Zach Rowell, Stanford  

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