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Freaks Checklist
Which college has probably the most jaw-dropping athletes?
Bruce Feldman’s annual Freaks Checklist dropped this week. It contains the first-ever repeat No. 1 — South Carolina WR Nyck Harbor, a 242-pound observe All-American — adopted by the 100 different most freakish athletes within the school sport. We’ll have a whole lot of enjoyable breaking down this listing — and looking out again to it throughout the season — however let’s begin at the moment by spotlighting a few its largest members:
The tallest: Jordan Burch, Oregon DL, 6-5 1/8, 295 kilos: The 1/8 of an inch makes him the tallest Freak on the listing. Dan Lanning advised Bruce that Burke has “finished an incredible job this offseason altering his physique,” which incorporates placing on 13 kilos of muscle.
The most important: Kenneth Grant, Michigan DT, 6-3, 350 kilos: Grant anchored Michigan’s protection en path to a nationwide championship in 2023. Try this video of him flying up Michigan’s reactive plyo stairs take a look at, and take into accout these seven stairs are every 26 inches excessive:
Freakiest college(s): Michigan and Penn State are tied with 4 honorees a bit. Grant ranks the very best, No. 3 on Bruce’s listing, adopted by fellow Wolverines Alex Orji (CB, No. 13) and Will Johnson (CB, No. 28). Penn State’s highest-rated participant is DE Abdul Carter, who ranks No. 12 and might vertical leap 33.5 inches, energy clear 350 kilos, bench press 375 and squat 600. Different Nittany Lions embrace Zane Durant (DL, No. 18) and Nick Singleton (RB, No. 29).
Quote quiz: Right here’s a Freak-worthy quote from a head coach on one among his gamers included in Bruce’s listing:
“This child is a manchild,” the coach stated. “He’s explosive. He’s (former Alabama star-turned-first rounder who was No. 11 on the 2016 Freaks Checklist) Daron Payne. He’s a nostril sort out, however he’s gentle and so twitchy.”
Are you able to guess the participant? I’ll provide you with three decisions. Yow will discover the reply on the finish of the publication.
Burgergate Revelations
The actual story of Harbaugh’s legendary sandwich
Yesterday, the NCAA gave former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh a four-year show-cause order and a one-season suspension in connection to violations of the COVID-19 recruiting lifeless interval in 2021 (a.okay.a. Burgergate). In fact, Harbaugh is now with the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers, so the penalties signify extra of a formality than something.
So what actually occurred within the case everybody is aware of about however few actually perceive? Wolverines beat author Austin Meek answered that precise query at the moment.
In his story, Austin will get to the underside of the mysterious bacon cheeseburger (ordered for BREAKFAST) that seemingly pinned Harbaugh as responsible for breaking the NCAA’s COVID-19 no-contact rule with recruits. The story has usually turned to Ann Arbor’s Brown Jug restaurant because the scene of the crime … however after getting in touch with the daddy of the recruit who attended this outing with Harbaugh, Austin discovered the Brown Jug has nothing to do with this. A distinct restaurant has been hiding behind the scenes all alongside …
Sure, that is all an actual story. You’ll be able to learn all of the juicy (no pun supposed) particulars right here.
Ivan Apfel / Getty Pictures
Pitbull Stadium
Not the primary CFB stadium with a enjoyable identify
Earlier this week, Florida Worldwide (or ought to we name it Worldwide?) College signed a five-year deal to rename its soccer stadium after recording artist Pitbull. Pitbull — a.okay.a. Mr. 305 (a nod to Miami’s unique space code) — is anticipated to pay FIU $1.2 million per 12 months over the following 5 years to call the Panthers’ dwelling “Pitbull Stadium.” As an added bonus, Pitbull will create an FIU anthem, too!
With a stadium identify as epic as Pitbull Stadium, I assumed I’d examine the opposite most unusual stadium names in school soccer. Listed below are only a few. In case you’d prefer to nominate any deserving of consideration, be happy to e mail me (JBardahl@TheAthletic.com) or tweet me (@JaynaBardahl). Spoiler: Not one of the 10-plus Memorial Stadiums will ever make the listing.
Strawberry Stadium, Southeastern Louisiana: In 1937, then-Governor Richard Leche initially deliberate to call the stadium after himself, however opted to honor native strawberry farmers with the identify as a substitute, in response to the college journal.
Kibbie Dome, Idaho: The legendary Kibbie Dome is thought for its quirks. TCU coach Sonny Dykes advised ESPN a number of years again that when he coached Louisiana Tech and performed within the wonderful shed, 6,000 individuals gave the impression of 60,000. The 16,000-seat stadium was the smallest within the FBS earlier than the Vandals moved again to FCS in 2017.
The J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome, Northern Arizona: The stadium identify actually comes from former college president J. Lawrence Walkup, however I nonetheless admire the best way “Walkup Skydome” seems like one thing straight out of a sci-fi film.
Fast Snaps
The Till Saturday podcast previews all issues Large Ten. Is Ohio State or Oregon the true No. 1? Pay attention right here.
Which group would win in a Texas vs. Oregon matchup? What about Alabama vs. Penn State? The Athletic predicts the outcomes of a hypothetical Large Ten vs. SEC problem. (Can we make this an precise factor?)
Which groups needs to be panicking on the recruiting path? Antonio Morales brings again the panic index from a scale of acceptance (Colorado) to painful (Florida).
Quote quiz reply: “This child is a manchild,” stated Maryland coach Mike Locksley on DT Jordan Phillips.
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(Prime photograph of Grant: Mark J. Rebilas / USA Right this moment)
