Three Frogs highlight Feldman’s ‘Freaks’ list

Bruce Feldman’s annual Freaks List is one of the highlights of the countdown to the college football season, showcasing some of the athletic marvels that litter the CFB landscape. TCU has had many players grace the top 100 over the years, but, for the first time ever, three Frogs that are all starters (one with an asterisk) have made the top 25.

College football fans nationwide marveled over the speed and strength of wide receiver Jalen Reagor, a rising junior who led TCU Football in every major offensive category a season ago despite catching passes from three different starting QBs and throwing a few himself.

Reagor’s 4.29 40 would have been the best at the NFL Combine in 209, tying Mississippi safety Zedrick Woods, and would have been the top time by a wide receiver overall. But Reagor isn’t just flash and dash; the 5’11”, 190 pound marvel squats 630, benches 380, and cleans 380 to boot. He also recorded a 38.4” vertical (in high school), so it’s clear we are working with a well-rounded athlete, here.

After leading the Frogs with 1,061 yards and nine touchdowns - as well as the Big 12 Conference at over 30% of his team’s receptions - Reagor is primed to put his name up on the national stage in 2019. And if the Frogs’ can identify a quarterback who can stay healthy and produce consistently, he will not only do that, but likely vault himself into the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

As much of a specimen that Reagor is, though, he comes in third place in Feldman’s mind amongst TCU freaks. Eight spots above him, at 13, is cornerback Jeff Gladney - the best cover corner in the Big 12 and another under-appreciated star on the national stage.

Reagor’s speed is other-worldly, but Gladney is still fast as hell, clocking in with a 4.34 40. Though he’s not the biggest guy (6’0”, 183 pounds), he’s insanely strong for his size, squatting 620, benching 400, and cleaning 400. He uses that strength to push receivers off their routes and body them up at the point of impact - 13 PBUs in 2018 says he does so effectively. He also held opposing quarterbacks to just a 46.9 passer rating, best in the Big 12.

The senior leader will be called upon to quarterback the defense this fall, and Gladney has the skills and respect to do just that. Not talked about much when it comes to his professional future, another strong season will definitely grant him an NFL look.

While Reagor and Gladney are both mighty impressive in their physical feats, they can’t match up with the number eight man on the Freaks List - running back Sewo Olonilua. Olonilua was a potential two way player out of high school who starred about both linebacker and running back out of Kingwood High School in Houston. The former four star recruit wanted to tote the rock though, and has done that well for the Horned Frogs in his three seasons on campus - culminating with a Cheez-It Bowl MVP after his nearly 200 yard performance on the ground in the Frogs’ win last December. At 6’3” and 231 pounds, the bulldozing back will surprise you with his speed (4.47) and fancy footwork - but all that size and fleetness doesn’t mask a physicality that few at his position can match: “he squats 770 pounds and can do 705 for a double. He benches 470 and cleans 475. In addition, he vertical jumps 40 inches,” according to Feldman.

Sewo is a TCU graduate, having finished his degree in just 3 ¹⁄₂ years. But his future with TCU Football is cloudy at the moment, after a felony drug arrest in May that remains in the justice system. We hope to find out more about his prospects in 2019 at Media Days next week, though he is still listed on the official TCU Football roster at this time.

Other Big 12 players on the list include Oklahoma DT Neville Gallimore (#2) and LB Will McDonald (#41) - whose first career snap was a strip sack against the Horned Frogs.