AUBURN, Ala. – It's that time of year again. It's time for Bruce Feldman's annual Freaks List, featuring the biggest Freaks in college football this upcoming season.
The list has featured former Auburn players in the past like Braden Smith in 2017 (No. 12) and Carl Lawson in 2015 (No. 23). In 2014, Sammie Coates was No. 1 on the list, and the former wide receiver backed up that spot by putting on a show at the NFL Combine.
This year, Auburn cornerback Jamel Dean comes in at No. 10 on the 2018 Freaks List. Dean redshirted his first year in 2015 and missed the 2016 season after he suffered a knee injury during fall camp. However, the former Ohio State signee elevated to a starting role last season and finished with 43 tackles and eight pass break-ups.
"This offseason, measuring in at 6-1, 215, Dean ran an electronically timed 4.3 40-yard dash," Feldman said in his article. "He also vertical jumped 38 inches and broad jumped 10-8."
Dean, who also made the SEC Academic Honor Roll last year, was the top SEC player on this year's Freaks list. He's in line to take over for Carlton Davis as Auburn's No. 1 cornerback this season.
In his story, Feldman also mentioned incoming freshman Anthony Schwartz, who finished second (10.22) in the 100 meters at the IAAF World U20 Championships this week in Finland. Schwartz ran a 10.19 in the semifinals, the fastest time of any competitor, and according to Feldman, he's been clocked at 10.02 in high school.
"He's the fastest guy in the country," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said on signing day. "He is also going to run track for our track team. I'm very excited about that. But he's a football player. I really believe this guy has a chance to be special from the standpoint that he got better and better throughout his high school career, and he's got that drive to make him special."
Greg Ostendorf is a Senior Writer for AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @greg_ostendorf