Future Freaks: Most Athletic 2025 Football Recruits

The sport of football attracts and cultivates some of the world’s best athletes. The combination of size, speed and strength we see on college football and NFL fields is unique across sports.

Football is also unique in the late-developing nature of the sport. We see some future college and NFL stars not emerge until late in their high school careers. Many, if not most, are talented multi-sport athletes, with diverse and interesting backgrounds.

The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman compiles his annual Freaks List, which features 50 of college football’s best athletes. As the 2025 recruiting cycle enters their senior season, we’re highlighting 25 prospects who could ascend to Freak status when their time comes.

In assembling this group, we looked at prospects’ multi-sport profile, combine and track athleticism along with their size and dimensions (many taken at the On3 Elite Series). Coming up with a numeric order is subjective and required splitting hairs – everyone featured here is a top athlete.

With that said, here are On3’s 25 Future Freaks from the 2025 recruiting cycle.

1. QB Deuce Knight – Notre Dame

Deuce Knight would register as a top tier NFL athlete right now. The Lucedale (Miss.) George County product is an elite athlete in the combine setting. He is a three-time state champion in track and field and is an above-the-rim basketball player. The athleticism makes him one of the higher upside prospects in the 2025 cycle.

• 6-foot-4.5, 208 pounds
• 33.875-inch arms, 9.75-inch hand
• 4.53 second 40-yard dash
• 10’8.5 broad jump
• 40+ inch vertical at Elite 11 regional
• 6-8 foot high jump – state champion (2024)
• 23-6 foot long jump – state champion (2023, 2024)
• Windmill dunker in basketball

2. WR Jerome Myles

Jerome Myles could have the best size and speed combination in the 2025 cycle. A full year younger than the majority of his peers, Myles has seen a spike in his physical development and athleticism. This spring, he broke a 43-year state record in the 100 meters in his first year running track, ripping off a scintillating wind-legal 10.36 mark at 215 pounds.

• 6-foot-3, 215 pounds
• 10.36 100 meters – state champion (2024), breaking a 43 year state record
• 20.84 200 meters – state champion (21.38/2024)
• 4.48 40-yard dash, 4.29 shuttle, 9’4 foot broad jump at the UC Report’s Utah camp
• 305 pound clean
• Among the youngest prospects in 2025 cycle – turns 16 years-old on July 28

3. TE James Flanigan – Notre Dame

Nobody may have a more robust multi-sport profile in the 2025 cycle than James Flanigan. He is a true three-sport standout as a blue-chip football player, national level track athlete and key contributor for a state championship hockey program that pumps out college players. Flanigan’s combination of explosive strength and athleticism at his size sticks out. The Notre Dame legacy also has NFL pedigree as his father (3rd round pick) and grandfather (2nd round pick) both played in the league.

• 6-foot-5.5, 245 pounds
• 33.5-inch arms, 10-inch hands
• 61-7 foot shot put – state champion (2024), 7th place at New Balance Nationals
• 181-1 foot discus – state champion (2023, 2024), 18th place at New Balance Nationals
• 11.44 second 100 meters
• 6-0 foot high jump
• All-state in hockey, alternate captain for back-to-back state champions

4. TE Linkon Cure – Kansas State

It’s not every day you see a top tight end prospect be a three-time state champion as a hurdler. Linkon Cure is one of the cycle’s most decorated athletes, showing highly impressive speed at his size, in addition to his bounce as a basketball player.

• 6-foot-4.5, 210 pounds
• 32-inch arms, 10-inch hand
• 14.52 second 110 meter hurdles – state champion (2024)
• 38.90 second 300 meter hurdles – state champion (2023, 2024)
• 11.05 second 100 meters
• Above-the-rim basketball player, averaging double figures for a state finalist

5. IOL Carius Curne – LSU

Carius Curne‘s 40-yard dash is faster than the shuttle time from most offensive linemen. The Marion (Ark.) High standout posted some eye-popping testing numbers at college camps in addition to elite weight room numbers and rare acrobatic skills for a prospect of his size. It’s not surprising that college staffs view Curne as a top athlete on either side of the ball.

• 6-foot-4, 320 pounds
• 33.5-inch arms, 9.5-inch hand
• 4.81 second 40-yard dash, 4.3 second shuttle, 9’8″ broad jump at college camp (2023)
• Claims a 420 pound bench press, 630 pound deadlift
• Can do backflips

Warm up with a flip before my first Spring Break lift! pic.twitter.com/AscWD6YA1S

— Carius Curne (@CurneCarius) March 13, 2023

6. CB DJ Pickett – LSU

DJ Pickett has rare dimensions and athleticism at the corner position. The Five-Star Plus+ prospect has the frame of a jumbo corner with elite length, but also touts speed that eclipses most of his peers at the position.

• 6-foot-4, 179 pounds
• 33.625-inch arms, 6-foot-8-wing-span, 9.125-inch hand
• 10.62 second 100 meters
• 21.66 second 200 meters

7. EDGE Isaiah Gibson – Georgia

Isaiah Gibson posted some of the more eye-raising measurements at the On3 Elite Series with exceptional length and a big frame. He also tested as a top combine athlete at Under Armour’s Atlanta camp back in February and shows his physical gifts on the basketball court.

• 6-foot-3.25, 263 pounds
• 35-inch arms, 7-foot-1.5 wing-span, 10.5-inch hand
• Top combine athlete
• Rim-protector and dunker in basketball

8. LB Charles Ross – LSU

Charles Ross is certainly one of the fastest prospects in the 2025 cycle. The Houston native’s speed looked truly elite both on the track and in the combine setting during the spring.

• 6-foot-0.25, 198 pounds
• 10.36 second 100 meters (5th place at state finals)
• 4.34 second 40-yard dash at the UC Report’s Houston camp (fastest nationally)

9. OT Will Black – Notre Dame

Will Black‘s towering stature and ideal frame pair with top shelf athleticism to make him one of the most physically-gifted offensive linemen in a historically loaded cycle at the position. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Black maintain his sub-5.0 second speed at over 310 pounds after time in a college strength program.

• 6-foot-7.5, 283 pounds
• 34.25-inch arm, 9.75-inch hand
• 4.90-second 40-yard dash (electronically timed)
• Shuttle in 4.5 second range
• Hockey background

10. DL Elijah Griffin

Elijah Griffin‘s big frame and elite length pair with advanced weight room strength and plus athleticism to manifest in the cycle’s top-ranked defensive lineman. The Five-Star Plus+ prospect’s well-rounded skill set makes him a dominant player on Friday nights and one that is capable of winning with power or speed.

• 6-foot-4, 300 pounds
• 34.5-inch arm, 10-inch hand
• 405 pound bench press, 550+ pound squat, 315 pound clean prior to junior season
• 52-2.5 foot shot put
• Top combine athlete

11. WR Dakorien Moore – Oregon

Dakorien Moore is an elite track athlete as a standout sprinter and jumper. The cycle’s top-ranked wide receiver also has some of the biggest-hands among blue-chip pass-catchers, helping to create an advantage at the catch point.

• 5-foot-11, 186 pounds
• 10.25-inch hand, 31.625-inch arms
• 10.40 second 100 meters
• 24-0.75 foot long jump
• Member of 4×100 team that posted a top five result of all-time

12. DB Kade Phillips – LSU

Kade Phillips pairs a uniquely translatable frame with an outstanding track and field profile. He has elite length with massive hands and is a standout in three events, highlighted by a state finalist showing in the long jump.

• 6-foot-0.5, 185 pounds
• 33.25-inch arms, 6-foot-8.5 wing-span, 10.25-inch hand
• 24-7.5 foot long jump (3rd place at state finals)
• 21.50 second 200 meters
• 49.74 second 400 meters

13. WR Derek Meadows – LSU

Derek Meadows is one of the biggest blue-chip wideouts in the cycle and also one of the most athletic. Though we didn’t see much from him on the track as a junior, Meadows laid down some sensational times as a sophomore, particularly for a prospect of his size.

• 6-foot-6, 205 pounds
• 34-inch arms, 9.75-inch hand
• 36.73 second 300 meter hurdles – state champion (2023)
• 14.64 second 110 meter hurdles – state runner-up (2023)
• Nevada Gatorade Player of the Year in track and field as a sophomore

14. OT David Sanders Jr. – Tennessee

David Sanders Jr. is the definition of a twitchy athlete along the offensive line. The Five-Star Plus+ prospect is a top combine athlete with elite marks in the shot put to go with impressive weight room strength.

• 6-foot-5.75, 276 pounds
• 33.5-inch arms, 9.5-inch hand
• 53-3.5 foot shot put (school record)
• 340 pound bench press, 455 pound squat, 335 pound clean prior to junior season

15. CB Dalen Penson – Georgia Tech

Dalen Penson may be the smallest prospect featured here, but is also one of the most explosive. The Tyrone (Ga.) Sandy Creek product is a national level hurdler and a state champion over multiple track and field events. He’s also registered as a top athlete in the combine setting.

• 5-foot-10, 165 pounds
• 49-5.5 foot triple jump -state champion (2024)
• 14.05 second 110 meter hurdles – state champion (2024), 16th place at New Balance Nationals
• 4.5 second 40-yard dash, 4.2 second shuttle, 10+ foot broad jump at college camps

16. S Tae Harris – Clemson

Tae Harris is a highly explosive athlete who turned in one of the more impressive combine showings during Under Armour’s 2024 camp circuit. He carries that speed over to the track, where he doubles as a top sprinter.

• 5-foot-11, 183 pounds
• 4.38 second 40-yard dash, 4.1 second shuttle at Under Armour’s Miami camp
• 10’5.6″ foot broad jump, 33.8-inch vertical at Under Armour’s Miami camp
• 10.60 second 100 meters
• 21.21 second 200 meters

17. OT Jackson Lloyd – Alabama

Jackson Lloyd is a true multi-sport star at Carmel (Calif.) High. He effortlessly runs the floor and elevates for dunks at 280 pounds as one of the area’s top prep basketball players. Once basketball season is over, Lloyd turns his sights to the diamond, where he continues to show high-level coordination and movement skills.

• 6-foot-6.5, 280 pounds
• 15.8 points per game, 9 rebounds per game in basketball as a junior
• Above the rim athleticism on the hardwood
• Power hitter in baseball

18. WR Caleb Cunningham – Alabama

There’s a case to be made that Caleb Cunningham has the best dunk reel in the 2025 cycle. Cunningham is a high-flyer who throws down multiple electric dunks every game. He’s also a strong overall player with a pull up jumper and court vision. Cunningham has the skill level to be considered a basketball prospect if he wanted.

• 6-foot-2, 180 pounds
• 32-inch arms, 9-inch hand
• 18.6 points per game as a junior
• High-flyer and electric dunker in basketball
• 43-4.25 foot triple jump as a freshman

New Alabama commit Caleb Cunningham is a high flyer on the basketball court with arguably the best dunk reel in the 2025 cycle https://t.co/y6mzMRxdhv pic.twitter.com/gZihjeRCRB

— Charles Power (@CharlesPower) July 15, 2024

19. DL Iose Epenesa – Iowa

Iose Epenesa is a powerful, strong athlete who is a standout in the throwing events in track and field along with providing an enforcing presence on the hardwood.

• 6-foot-3, 265 pounds
• 33.25-inch arms, 10.38-inch hand
• 189-10.75 foot discus (2nd place in state finals)
• 55-4.5 foot shot put
• Also plays basketball

20. S Jonah Williams

Jonah Williams has the athleticism of a top defensive back in the frame of a linebacker. He doubles as a talented baseball player with the potential of being a two-sport star at the college level.

• 6-foot-3.25, 206 pounds
• 32.25-inch arms
• 4.53 second 40-yard dash, 4.21 second shuttle, 30-inch vertical at the UC Report’s Houston camp
• 22.24 second 200 meters
• Talented baseball player who can hit 94 MPH as a left-handed pitcher

21. TE Elyiss Williams – Georgia

Elyiss Williams is one of the more physically-imposing prospects in the cycle, regardless of position as a massive tight end. In addition to being a standout in football, Williams eclipsed the 1,000 point threshold in just 2.5 years of varsity basketball.

• 6-foot-7, 245 pounds
• 34+ inch arms, 7-foot wing-span, 10.5-inch hands
• Region player of the year in basketball
• 15.4 points per game, 10.5 rebounds per game, 1.7 blocks per game as a junior

22. CB Shamari Earls – Georgia

Shamari Earls owns one of the best size and speed combinations among 2025 cornerback prospects. He is bigger than some top linebacker prospects and turned in a very strong indoor track season as a junior.

• 6-foot-2, 205 pounds
• 32.5+ inch arms
• 6.36 second 55 meters
• 10.80 second 100 meters
• 21.87 second 200 meters
• 23-10.75 foot long jump – indoor state champion (2024)

23. QB Bryce Underwood – LSU

In addition to being arguably the top arm talent in the 2025 cycle, Bryce Underwood owns a large, wide-shouldered frame and twitchy athleticism. Underwood is continuing to physically develop as one of the younger top prospects in the cycle.

• 6-foot-4, 214 pounds
• 10-inch hand, 34.5-inch arms
• Acrobatic athlete
• Young for cycle, turning 17 years-old on August 19

https://x.com/On3Elite/status/1803864798192636107

24. LB Riley Pettijohn – Ohio State

Riley Pettijohn brings prototypical speed and strength as a linebacker. While he’s always registered as a top athlete, Pettijohn has made impressive strides this offseason, packing on muscle while adding speed.

• 6-foot-1.5, 215 pounds
• 10.77 second 100 meters
• 315 pound clean
• Young for the cycle, turned 17 years-old on July 8

25. CB Devin Sanchez – Ohio State

Devin Sanchez is how you draw them up as a big, outside corner. The Five-Star Plus+ prospect has a big frame and outstanding top-end speed.

• 6-foot-2, 180 pounds
• 32-inch arms, 9.5-inch hand
• 10.69 second 100 meters
• 21.73 second 200 meters
• 460 pound squat

Honorable Mention

IOL Demetris Dean – Houston
CB Brandon Finney – Oregon
OT Ty Haywood – Alabama
EDGE Mariyon Dye – Tennessee
OT Broderick Shull – Auburn
DL DJ Sanders – Texas A&M
LB Sullivan Schlimgen – South Dakota State
TE Nick Townsend – Texas
LB Burke Gautcher – Iowa
ATH Dylan Robinson – Washington

On3 National Scout Cody Bellaire contributed to this story.