One of the better indications that football season is back is Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List on The Athletic every year, a list of around 100 dynamic athletes that are either household names or looking to become one soon. You never know what kind of players you’ll find or what sort of athleticism you’ll read about, but reading through the list, I found three Feldman’s Freaks that Jacksonville Jaguars fans should watch intently through the 2026 college football season.
Tony Rojas, LB, Penn State
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 236
Despite a torn ACL that ended his 2025 campaign, Rojas’ freakish athleticism only knocked him down five slots from his appearance on last year’s list. Rojas is the kind of linebacker you want in the room, incredible in coverage with sprinter-like speed and explosive coming downhill. If he can put together a fully healthy season in 2026, there’s no telling where Rojas’ draft stock will go. For Jaguars fans, with uncertainty still lingering in the linebacker room, Rojas may be a fun player to watch in next year’s draft.
Desmeal Leigh, OT, Youngstown State
Height: 6’7”
Weight: 325
One of the best things about Feldman’s Freaks List is that it spans beyond just the Power 4 and Group of 5 programs; it also covers the FCS freaks that may emerge. Desmeal Leigh is a prime example of a player who can benefit greatly from this kind of coverage. As a fifth-year senior, Leigh has stood tall at Youngstown State and become one of the top FCS prospects to watch for next year’s draft. He is incredibly fleet-footed and, according to the article, can move around a ton of weight: a 505-pound squat, 390-pound front squat and a 385-pound bench press to match up with sub-5.0 40-yard dash speed.
Jaylen Lewis, S, Western Kentucky
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 187
Every great team and defense has an enforcer-type safety who lives in the intermediate-to-short zones close to the line of scrimmage to cause maximum chaos. Jaylen Lewis takes care of the need for a quality safety with his versatility and athleticism on full display.
