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Four Penn State Football Players Listed Among Top College Football ‘Freaks’

Four Penn State football players — Jayson Oweh, Micah Parsons, Journey Brown, and Jaquan Brisker — are ranked among the top 50 college football “freaks” entering the 2020 season, according to The Athletic‘s Bruce Feldman.

Oweh is ranked at No. 4, Parsons at No. 13, Brown at No. 15, and Brisker at No. 46.

Feldman, an esteemed college football writer at The Athletic, annually releases a list of the top “freakish” talents in college football. His rankings hope to “spotlight the guys who generate buzz inside their programs by displaying the type of rare physical abilities that wow even those folks who are used to observing gifted athletes every day.”

Oweh jumped up two spots in this year’s rankings compared to 2019. The sophomore totaled 21 tackles, five for a loss, and two sacks last season as a rotational player on the Nittany Lions’ defensive line. He’ll be primed for another impressive season after some big-name departures this offseason.

According to Feldman, Oweh’s freakiest attribute is his speed. The 6’5″, 257-pound defensive end runs a “jaw-dropping” 4.33 40-yard dash, boasts a 36-inch vertical jump, 380-pound bench press, and 4.46 pro agility time. Additionally, Feldman touted his 4.9% body fat and 10-7 broad jump.

Parsons, on the other hand, received a slight downgrade from his No. 7 spot on last year’s rankings but remains in the top 15. Feldman described the linebacker as a “wrecking ball” on the field, citing his 109 tackles, 14 for a loss, and four forced fumbles last season. Parsons’ freakiest attribute, according to Feldman, is his agility, backed up by his 4.24 time in the pro agility test.

Brown is coming off a breakout season in 2019 in which he totaled 890 rushing yards and 13 total touchdowns (12 rushing, one receiving). Feldman mentioned his track history, which includes breaking the Pennsylvania State 100-meter mark. He noted that Brown ran a 4.29 40-yard dash despite upping his weight to 216 pounds. It’s no surprise that Brown’s freakiest attribute is his blazing speed.

Brisker totaled 31 tackles and two interceptions last season en route to being named third-team All-Big Ten by Pro Football Focus. Feldman called Brisker the biggest freak in Penn State’s secondary that is filled with “stud athletes.” The 6’1″, 205-pound safety is able to bench 355 pounds, broad jump 10-7, and post a triple jump of 32-5.

Brisker’s freakiest attribute, according to Feldman, is his explosiveness. The author mentioned fellow Nittany Lion Tariq Castro-Fields drew serious consideration for this spot, too.

Penn State’s four representatives on the list are the most from any team in the country.

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About the Author

Gabe Angieri

After a four-year career with Onward State, Gabe is now a college graduate and off to the real world. He shockingly served as the blog’s managing editor during the 2022-23 school year and covered football for much of his Onward State tenure, including trips to the Outback Bowl and Rose Bowl. For any professional inquiries, please email Gabe at [email protected]. You can still see his bad sports takes on Twitter at @gabeangieri.

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