Two Wolverines make The Athletic ‘freaks’ to watch at NFL combine
Michigan football has made some pretty big headlines in the offseason, not too long after Big Ten media days, each of the past few years as several players have been highlighted by The Athletic’s ‘freaks’ list.
Bruce Feldman looks into feats in the weight room and players across college football who can do things others simply cannot. At or near the top of the list in recent years have been Kris Jenkins, Mazi Smith and Kenneth Grant. But being a freak entering a college football season and preparing to enter the NFL scouting combine are two different things.
Feldman updated his list specifically for the combine (subscription required), and two Michigan players made the cut, starting with wide receiver Roman Wilson.
The Athletic:
6. Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan
Here’s our latest two-point stance speedster from the Wolverines. Wilson clocked a 4.33 40 out of it last offseason. Even more impressive, Wilson ran a sizzling 6.20-second 3-cone drill and topped everyone at Michigan with a 3.77 shuttle time. Those two times have been met with some disbelief in combine training circles, so there will be a lot of eyeballs on Michigan’s top receiver. Wilson, who also flew up the Wolverines’ reactive plyo stairs in 2.22 seconds (tops in the program), had a fantastic few days at the Senior Bowl.
Not to be left out, Jenkins, who came in at No. 6 on the 2023 freaks list, made it in this edition, as well.
10. Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan
The son of the former star NFL D-lineman by the same name was described by Jim Harbaugh as “the mutant of all mutants.” Some of the freaky stuff Jenkins can do that merited the No. 1 spot on the Freaks List in 2023 won’t be relevant at the combine. At 307 pounds, Jenkins did a Turkish get-up with a 170-pound dumbbell — the heaviest former Michigan strength coach Ben Herbert has ever witnessed. Jenkins also does pull-ups with a 100-pound weight strapped to his waist and could do 760 pounds on the combo twist.
Both are among players who could greatly improve their draft stock this week with strong showings. Wilson’s speed should wow NFL scouts and general managers while Jenkins’ athleticism while being a big man should likewise have player personnel swooning.
The NFL scouting combine is set to begin on Monday and runs through March 4, the following Monday, in Indianapolis.
