Penn State football has what many feel is one of the best strength programs in the country.
That leads to the team having some “freaks” on campus every year.
In this context, it’s a good thing to be a “freak.”
Last season, Bruce Feldman of the Athletic listed six Penn State players among his top 100 “freaks” in college football. This means that these guys are very strong, and in many cases very fast.
Feldman’s 2024 “freaks list” is out now, and here’s how Penn State made out.
PENN STATE FREAKS
NO. 12: ABDUL CARTER
Penn State moved Carter to defensive end over the offseason. He has the size and speed to make a smooth transition and be just as good, if not better than he was at linebacker. Even though Penn State lost Chop Robinson and Adisa Isaac to the NFL, the duo of Carter and Dani Dennis-Sutton should be formidable as well.
He was No. 43 on the “Freaks List” last season, and now is up more than 30 spots.
“He matched his numbers from last offseason,” Feldman wrote, “clocking a 4.48 40, a 4.35 shuttle and broad-jumping 10-7 when he was No. 43 on our list in 2023. A first-team All-Big Ten selection by the league’s coaches, he had 48 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, an interception, a forced fumble, five pass breakups and five quarterback hurries. He’ll be an even bigger problem for rival quarterbacks now that he’s coming off the edge. Carter’s max velocity is 22.4 mph. He vertical-jumped 33.5 inches, power cleaned 350 pounds, bench pressed 375 and squatted 600.”
NO. 18: PENN STATE DT ZANE DURANT
Durant proved last season that he’s good enough to start in the Big Ten. He ended his second year with all-Big Ten honorable mention honors. Now, the big question is if he’ll be good enough to where declaring for the NFL Draft— which he’ll be able to do this season, as it is his third year of eligibility. If Durant takes the next step, that would do wonders for a Penn State defense which should again rank amongst America’s best.
“Durant was No. 38 on the list last year; he has added six pounds (up to 290) but hasn’t lost any speed, running another 4.66 40 this offseason,” Feldman wrote. “He hit a max velocity of 21.1 mph. His shuttle time improved to 4.43, and his broad jump stayed at 9-10. He vertical-jumped 30.5 inches. His 660-pound squat set a Penn State record for defensive linemen. He also bench pressed 425.”
NO. 29: NICHOLAS SINGLETON
A lot of Singleton’s success could depend on new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki. It should excite Penn State fans that Kotelnicki has had great success with running backs. Last season at Kansas, Devin Neal exploded in Kotelnicki’s scheme, going for 1,280 yards, 16 touchdowns and averaging 6.3 yards per carry. There’s no reason to think Singleton can’t match those numbers, if not eclipse them.
Feldman agrees.
“Expect Singleton and the Penn State offense to become more potent with former Kansas offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki taking over,” Feldman wrote. “This offseason, the 228-pound Singleton hit 23.6 mph on the GPS and trimmed his 40 time from 4.39 to 4.35. His shuttle time stayed at 4.18. His broad jump improved to 10-1. His power clean went up to 390. His 655-pound squat bumped Penn State great Saquon Barkley off of the top spot as the program’s record holder for running backs.”
NO. 91: GABRIEL NWOSU
The 6-foot-6, 280-pound kickoff specialist is an entrant that might surprise some people. But Feldman described Nwosu as “definitely not your average kicker or punter.”
“He benched 365 pounds, squatted 525 and cleaned 330,” Feldman wrote. “Even more impressively, he clocked a 4.86 40 at that size, broad-jumped 9-9 and vertical-jumped 31.5-inches. As PSU’s kickoff specialist in 2023, Nwosu finished third in the Big Ten in touchbacks with 50, and was fourth in kickoff average at 63.7 yards.”
