What Syracuse Players Made College Football's Popular 'Freak List?'

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Given its rabid popularity, college football fans are invested in their teams even before the season actually kicks.

For instance, the annual Top 25 poll gives fans an idea of how good their favorite teams could be in an upcoming season. Other preseason acknowledgments include all-conference teams, award projections, and projected conference standings, all of which serve as conversation points and motivation for the season ahead.

But there's another list which has taken college football by storm over the last few years: The annual "freak list."

This season, two Syracuse Orange linebackers made the popular list. 

What is the college football freak list?

Since 2005, college football reporter Bruce Feldman has also released a list of "freak" athletes in college football, ranging from the Division I to Division III. As Feldman has described in the past, a "freak" is a player who physically does that "something" that fellow teammates and coaches marvel at. Whether that is with speed, strength, training regimen or more, a freak can come in any shape and size, at any position.

Who from Syracuse football made the 2026 edition of college football's 'freak' list?

Again, two players made the 2026 edition of the list. Ranking at No. 45 of the 101 players on the list was linebacker Chris D'Appolonia. Feldman said this about D'Appolonia

"A Freaks Lister last year while at Toledo, where he became a third-team All-MAC selection after making 68 tackles and 3.5 TFLs in 2025, the 6-3, 240-pounder vertical jumped 37 inches (up from 34 1/2 inches last year) and had a top speed of 21.67 mph this offseason. He also bench pressed 375 pounds (up 20 pounds), squatted 565 and cleaned 325."

D'Appolonia transferred in from Toledo during the transfer portal period. He played for new Syracuse defensive coordinator Vince Kehres there, which means he'll be leaned on because of his talent, but also his understanding of the system.

Antoine Deslauriers, LB

Also on this year's list (No. 52) was linebacker Antoine Deslauriers. After setting a freshman tackle record in his first season in Central New York last season, the native Canadian returns for his sophomore season with the Orange. Feldman said this in regards in Deslauriers:

"Deslauriers bench pressed 390 pounds this offseason, squatted 500, vertical jumped 34 inches and hit 21.48 mph on the GPS. A third Orange linebacker almost made the Freaks List this year: 6-4, 222-pound junior Jamie Tremble, a converted tight end, hit 23 mph on the GPS to go with a 36-inch vert, 330-pound bench and 475-pound squat."

What's next for D'Appolonia and Deslauriers and the rest of the Orange?

Deslauriers, D'Appolonia and the rest of their teammates will continue preseason practices throughout August. Syracuse Roundtable's coverage of the Orange football camp continues Wednesday with coverage from the Ensley Center. The Orange will have one closed practices and then an off day before opening up practice to media again Wednesday.

Following the conclusion of training camp at the end of the month, the Orange will be closer to their Week 1 matchup. Syracuse will host New Hampshire on Sept. 5 at the JMA Wireless Dome. Kickoff is set for noon ET.

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