The 20th edition of The Athletic's Bruce Feldman's Freaks List released, and five Penn State football players made it into the 101-man list — one sneaking into the top 10.
According to Feldman, he composes his list based on information from coaches, schools, teammates, parents, NFL scouts, NFL Scouting Combine trainers and agents to sift out the strongest, fastest, and most physical players in the NCAA.
Here are the Nittany Lions that earned spots on the "College football Freaks List 2025":
Durant made Feldman's Freak List now three times, ranking 18th in 2024 and 38th in 2023. Now he jumped up another 10 spots to land eighth ahead of his senior season.
He had a 42-tackle performance as a junior (22 solo, 20 assisted) with 11 tackles for loss and three sacks. His breakout season earned him a spot on the 2025 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List for the National Defensive Player of the Year award as well as a place on the 2025 Outland Trophy Watch List.
Feldman wrote:
"The 6-1, 290-pound senior from Florida has run a 4.66 40 and hit a max velocity of 21.1 mph. He clocked a 4.43 shuttle time, broad jumped 9-10 and vertical jumped 30 1/2 inches. He’s bench pressed 425 pounds and squatted 660. This offseason, he power cleaned 345 pounds. Ty Blanding is another Freaky DT; at 6-1, 292 pounds, the sophomore ran a 4.82 40 this offseason and squatted 675 pounds."
Singleton, like Durant, is another valuable returner for Penn State given both could've declared for the 2025 NFL Draft after their junior campaigns.
He and Kaytron Allen, the dynamic running back duo for the Nittany Lions who will now play their fourth year together as running backs one and two for Penn State, are expected to have a standout performance. Head coach James Franklin said at 2025 Big Ten Media Days that he was surprised both decided to return. They're one of the best, if not the best, RB duos in the country, and a special season is on the horizon.
Feldman wrote:
"[Saquon] Barkley, No. 1 on the 2017 Freaks List, ran a 4.33 40, power cleaned 405 pounds and bench pressed 405. Singleton is close to those numbers and better in the bench press, doing 435. He improved his power clean to 395. His 40 is 4.35. His shuttle time is 4.18. His max velocity is 23.5 mph. He broke Barkley’s running back record in the squat last year, doing 665. He did 660 this offseason. Singleton’s broad jump also went up four inches to 10-5."
Rojas recorded 58 tackles in 2024 (35 solo, 23 assisted) as well as seven passes defensed, six tackles for loss, four pass break-ups, and three interceptions.
While he wasn't around for the springtime due to an upper-body surgery, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said Rojas' knowledge of the game and ability to pick things up quickly is impressive throughout the summer so far. Strength coach Chuck Losey doubled down on Knowles' thoughts, saying before fall camp that the linebacker has "been fantastic" and that he's excited for Rojas' junior year ahead.
Feldman wrote:
"[He] made big gains this offseason, improving his 40 to 4.37 from 4.50 last year. His vertical jump went from 34 inches to 37 1/2, he now broad jumps 10-5 and also bettered his shuttle time to 4.05 — no linebacker has gone faster than that at the combine since 2019. Rojas hit 22.5 mph on the GPS, power cleaned 350 pounds and benched 375."
Washington II posted 26 tackles (18 solo, eight assisted), seven passes defensed, six pass break-ups, and one interception as a sophomore in 2024. He only started one game for Penn State, but was a consistent face in the secondary.
In 2025, Washington II is expected to be A.J. Harris' opposite, but his starting position is not guaranteed. Still, he's underrated and key to the Nittany Lions' cornerback depth.
Feldman wrote:
"The 5-11, 205-pound junior is one of the Freakiest DBs in the country. He set the Penn State record for DBs in the squat, doing 565 pounds in his freshman year. He’s clocked a 4.32 40 and this offseason, broad jumped 10-7, vertical jumped 37 1/2 inches and hit 23 mph on the GPS."
Dinkins is flying under the radar, according to Franklin. The tight end had 14 catches for 122 yards and two touchdowns as a redshirt junior, but playing in the shadows of Tyler Warren is tough to breakthrough.
Now without the star tight end in the room, Dinkins shouldn't be underestimated. Dawkins said that the redshirt senior is an elite blocker, an extension of the offensive line. So even if he doesn't hit Warren numbers, Dinkins will be a key part to Penn State's offensive scheme.
Feldman wrote:
"Penn State offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki proved last year he’s very creative in finding ways to get his best athletes the ball, and Dinkins is one of the Freakiest athletes in the country. At 6-4, 255 pounds, Dinkins ran a 4.50 40 (a school record for Penn State tight ends) and hit 21.8 mph. He broad jumped 10-0, clocked 4.30 in the shuttle, bench pressed 405 pounds, power cleaned 355 and squatted 550."