Four Michigan Wolverines appear on Bruce Feldman's 'Freaks List,' led by Kris Jenkins in top 10

The Athletic‘s Bruce Feldman released his annual list of the biggest ‘freaks’ in college football. Naturally, Michigan Wolverines football is well-represented. Feldman defines a freak as someone who “generates buzz inside their programs by displaying the unique physical abilities that wow even those who observe gifted athletes every day.”

The Maize and Blue have four players who made the cut, led by senior defensive tackle Kris Jenkins at No. 6. Michigan has had a top-10 ‘freak’ in five of the last six years, including three No. 1 ratings (Rashan Gary in 2018, Kwity Paye in 2020 and Mazi Smith in 2022. and a No. 2 selection (Aidan Hutchinson in 2021). All of those top-10 ‘freaks’ are defensive linemen. Former Michigan defensive lineman Julius Welschof, who transferred to Charlotte this offseason, checks in at No. 24 this year.

Here’s a look at the four Michigan players who were deemed ‘freaks’ this season.

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DT Kris Jenkins: No. 6

The second-highest ranked defensive lineman, Jenkins earned the nickname, ‘The Mutant,’ for his combination of size and speed/quickness, dubbed by Michigan head strength and conditioning coach Ben Herbert. He’s only getting bigger, now up to 305 pounds per the U-M roster, and has still maintained his explosiveness.

Jenkins racked up 54 tackles, 3.5 stops for loss and recorded 20 quarterback pressures, per PFF, in 2022. He received feedback from NFL circles that said he would’ve been a top-100 pick this past spring, but he chose to return to Michigan, and now he’s a prime candidate to be one of the sport’s breakout stars.

“People inside the Michigan program think he’s now ready to take a huge step forward as an impact guy,” Feldman wrote. “He’s up to 307 pounds and is more powerful and explosive than ever. He did 32 reps of 225 on the bench and did 760 pounds on the combo twist. Only last year’s top Freak, Mazi Smith, some 30 pounds heavier, did more slinging around 800 pounds.

“Jenkins recently did a Turkish get-up with a 170-pound dumbbell — the heaviest Herbert has ever witnessed. Jenkins does pull-ups with a 100-pound weight strapped to his waist. He also moves incredibly well for being a 300-plus pounder, running a 7.16 3-cone, a 4.33 shuttle, broad-jumping 9-8 and vertical-jumping 34 inches.

“Jenkins’ shuttle and 3-cone times are both almost two-tenths of a second faster than the quickest interior defensive lineman did at this year’s NFL combine. His broad jump would be tied for the best. His vertical jump would be second-best, and only Smith topped his number on the bench press.”

CB Amorion Walker: No. 12

If Michigan sophomore cornerback Amorion Walker — the biggest ‘freak’ among cornerbacks — puts it all together, at 6-foot-3, 180 pounds, Harbaugh believes he’ll be a “unicorn.” His height, length, speed and change-of-direction ability are all top notch.

Walker ran the three-cone drill in 6.10 seconds this past winter. The hand-timed mark would be the fastest in NFL Combine history.

“It’s the fastest time I have ever seen and likely the fastest I will ever see,” Herbert told The Athletic.

“Walker’s 3.89 shuttle would’ve been tops at the [2023] combine as well,” Feldman noted. “[Jaxon] Smith-Njigba ran a 3.93 with Brandin Cooks’ 3.81 in 2014 the record. And there’s more: Walker vertical-jumped 42 1/2 inches. He did 11-4 in the broad jump and he clocked a 4.34 40, and he did it out of a two-point stance.”

Amorion Walker with a hand-timed 6.10-second three-cone drill. Would be the fastest time in NFL Draft Scouting Combine history 👀👀

🎥: Will Johnson / IG pic.twitter.com/t7LzpzG1wc

— Clayton Sayfie (@CSayf23) February 8, 2023

QB Alex Orji: No. 50

Michigan sophomore Alex Orji is the first quarterback to appear on the list. It’s well-earned, too, Feldman pointed out, saying several Wolverine teammate said he’s actually the top ‘freak’ on the team.

“The 6-3, 237-pound sophomore quarterback ranks No. 1 on the team in its cumulative KPI score, which is made up of 48 Key Performance Indicators they use to track frame analysis: flexibility/mobility; strength/power; and agility/speed,” Feldman wrote of the Michigan signal-caller. “Orji vertical-jumped 41 inches and did 2.34 in the reactive plyo stairs; broad-jumped 10-6; and did 3.97 in the shuttle and 6.65 in the 3-cone. On the field, the Texas native ran for two touchdowns and completed one pass in mop-up duty in 2022.”

WR Roman Wilson: No. 73

With blazing fast speed, Michigan senior wide receiver Roman Wilson was once the ‘fastest man’ at The Opening as a high school prospect, running a 4.37-second 40-yard dash, Feldman noted. He’s only impressed since arriving to Ann Arbor, one of Michigan’s most experienced and productive receivers heading into the 2023 season.

“The 6-0, 193-pound senior wows the coaches with his ability to accelerate, decelerate and control his body,” Feldman wrote. “This offseason, Wilson clocked a 4.33 40 out of a two-point stance; ran a sizzling 6.20 3-cone drill that was only upstaged by teammate Amorion Walker.

“But then again, Wilson topped everyone with a 3.77 shuttle time, and also had a terrific 10.76 60-yard shuttle and flew up the Wolverines’ reactive plyo stairs in 2.22 seconds, also best in the program. On the field, Wilson caught 25 passes for 376 yards and four touchdowns and added two more rushing touchdowns.”