Which of the newest Dolphins are ‘freak' athletes?
Since 2005, college football insider Bruce Feldman has released a 'Freak List' in the offseason.
It comprises the top players who've done some exceptional – freakish, if you will – athletic feats prior to the upcoming season.
Check the 2024 list and you see six of the Miami Dolphins.
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Of the Dolphins' eight picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, three – defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea and defensive tackle Jordan Phillips – found themselves on Feldman's list. Another three undrafted free agents (UDFAs) – linebacker Eugene Asante, receiver Monaray Baldwin and quarterback Brett Gabbert – wound up there as well.
Grant clocked in at No. 3 on the 'Freak List' due to his rare combination of size and speed. Despite his 6-3, 350-pound-frame, the Michigan defensive tackle still managed to hit 18.75 miles per hour on the GPS as well as press a 115-pound dumbbell more than two dozen times with either hand, according to Feldman.
'Watching KG move is like a work of art,' Michigan's director of strength and conditioning Justin Tress told Feldman. 'He plays and trains violent and explosive.'
Asante, a 6-1, 219-pound linebacker out of Auburn, checked in at No. 33. An UDFA, Asante was described as 'the prototypical heat-seeking missile backer the SEC is known for' following a 2023 season in which he led the Tigers in tackles (86). His freakish traits were his power and explosively, according to Feldman.
'This offseason, he squatted 635 pounds, benched 405 and clocked a 4.48 40,' Feldman wrote. 'He's also had a max velocity of more than 22 mph.'
Drafted to be the missing piece along the Dolphins offensive line, Savaiinaea slotted in at No. 37 on Feldman's list. Not only did he allow two sacks on 889 snaps in 2023, Savaiinaea size and stature immediately stand out. Arizona listed him at 6-4, 334 pounds which is rather impressive considering he has 21-percent body fat, according to Feldman, a sign that hopefully he can move in the Dolphins' fast-paced offense.
Similar to Grant, Savaiinaea also has a unique blend of speed and power.
'This offseason, he ran faster than 19 mph, bench pressed 406 pounds, power cleaned 355 and squatted 532.' Feldman wrote.
Baldwin, who also appeared on the 2023 Freak List alongside Dolphins edge rusher Chop Robinson, might not have the size of Grant or Savaiinaea as Baylor listed the wideout at 5-9, 168 pounds. Still, Baldwin earned the No. 41 spot for his strength – he benched 365 in 2024 – as well as his speed. A GPS clocked him at 23.16 miles per hour, a few ticks faster than his top speed in 2022.
Smack dab in the middle of Feldman's list was Phillips whom the Dolphins selected in the fifth round. The 6-3, 320-pound defensive tackle might not have stats that jump off the page but he's extremely strong which led to his No. 51 selection. The former Maryland standout squatted 665 pounds and power cleaned 365, according to Feldman.
'This kid is a manchild,' Maryland coach Mike Locksley told Feldman. 'He's explosive. He's [former Alabama star-turned-first rounder who was No. 11 on the 2016 Freaks List] Daron Payne. He's a nose tackle, but he's light and so twitchy.'
The very last spot on Feldman's list belongs to Gabbert, the younger brother of former NFL quarterback Blaine Gabbert. Unlike the other players mentioned on this list, the younger Gabbert won't wow with his size (6-0, 210-pounds) or speed (4.79 40). The Miami University quarterback's best trait is his toughness considering he suffered gruesome broken leg in Oct. 2023 that threatened to end his career.
'I felt my fibula go first,' Gabbert recalled to Feldman. 'It sounds gross but you can obviously feel and you can hear it. Then felt my tibia go, and that doesn't feel great. I just remember throwing my helmet off and waving to the sideline just to have them come out there and cover it up because obviously the bone was sticking out.'
What happened next certainly earned him a spot on the 'Freaks List.' Despite originally being given a 12-16 months recovery time frame, Gabbert finished way ahead of schedule and was able to start the RedHawks' 2024 season opener, roughly 10 months after the injury. Gabbert's perseverance was even more impressive considering this wasn't his first major injury; he broke his collarbone at the start of the 2022 season.
'The kid is so competitive, driven, committed,' Miami coach Chuck Martin told Feldman. 'He does everything right all the time. He's like a machine. And it's not just how he comes back from these major injuries multiple times. He'll stand in the pocket and he'll take a hit. His willingness to sacrifice for the team. He plays with no fear.'
Based off Feldman's list alone, it's clear the Dolphins certainly have some athletes on their roster. Fans need to just hope the same traits that landed them on Feldman's list can translate into the NFL.
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