The NFL Scouting Combine kicks off in a few days, and it provides a great callback to our annual Freaks List of college football phenoms. Some of those Freaks in this draft aren’t expected to work out this year, including East Carolina star cornerback Shavon Revel Jr., who is coming off of a torn ACL.

Based on a lot of the intel I’ve gathered during the past year, including plenty I’ve heard in the past month, here are the 40 players The Athletic is most intrigued to see perform in Indianapolis. As you will notice, I expect many defensive players to shine.

1. Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina, safety

For a while, he was the best-kept secret in the SEC. He made 156 tackles in his first two seasons of college football, including 24 in two games against Georgia. He was No. 11 on the 2024 Freaks List after he put up spectacular numbers last offseason, broad-jumping 11-4, vertical-jumping 42 inches and completing 24 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press in addition to squatting 565 pounds. The former three-star recruit was lights-out again last season, earning first-team All-America honors after leading the team with 88 tackles, to go with four interceptions and three tackles for loss. He turned 21 this month. At 6 feet 3 inches and 220 pounds, he ran, I’m told, a 4.35 in the 40 last week.

2. Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M, DL

The one-time five-star recruit had an inconsistent college career. He managed only 4 1/2 sacks in 37 games, but his potential is tantalizing, and he was impressive during Senior Bowl week when he showed some refinement in his pass-rush game. In 2024, the Miami native led A&M with seven QB hurries to go with 5.5 TFLs. Expect him to turn a lot of heads when he tests in Indy.

“He’s a Freak, man,” said his former defensive line coach at A&M, Sean Spencer, who previously coached at Penn State and Florida and in the NFL. “He will run a low-4.5 (in the 40) at 280 and 6-5-plus. He can fly. At worst, I think he’ll go 4.62, 4.63. I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t break 4.60.”

3. Abdul Carter, Penn State, edge

The latest Nittany Lions freakshow defensive talent, Carter was Penn State’s first unanimous consensus All-American since Saquon Barkley in 2017. Carter had a nation-leading 23.5 TFLs and 12 sacks in leading Penn State to the College Football Playoff semifinals. Last offseason at 6-3 and 254 pounds, Carter clocked a 4.48 40 along with a 4.35 shuttle to go with an equally impressive 10-7 broad jump. He vertical jumped 33 1/2 inches.

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4. Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado

The Heisman Trophy winner’s best physical traits — the ones that make him so special — are harder to test for than what you see on the field at the combine. Yes, the 6-1, 185-pounder is very fast and is expected to run the 40 sub-4.4 and jump around 40 inches in the vertical. His shuttle times should be elite too, but his gas tank and play-speed are what are so rare.

For the past two years at Colorado, he has been playing almost twice as many snaps as most players, and he still is capable of making game-changing plays late in games. In 2023, Reel Analytics gauged Hunter’s max speed on a touchdown-saving chase-down against TCU at 21.2 mph. Then, on Hunter’s 81st snap of that game in near 100-degree heat in Texas, he displayed a closing speed of 6.9 yards per second on his diving red-zone interception midway through the third quarter. That 6.9 YPS was the second-fastest time on record for nearly 8,400 defensive backs in the Reel Analytics database.

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5. Jalon Walker, Georgia, edge/linebacker

The 6-2, 245-pound junior was a problem for offenses as an off-the-ball linebacker and as a ferocious pass rusher. His closing speed is scary. Walker won the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker after making 60 tackles and 10.5 TFLs and notching 6.5 sacks. He dominated Texas in two games, producing six combined TFLs and four sacks. Georgia coaches think he could run in the 4.4s in Indy and vertical jump around 36 inches.

6. Jordan Burch, Oregon, DL

Like Stewart, Burch is another former five-star recruit who has been inconsistent but figures to shine at the combine. Burch was more productive, notching 11 TFLs in 10 games with 8.5 sacks and six passes broken up while battling some injuries. Last offseason, the South Carolina transfer added 13 pounds to his 6-5 frame to weigh 295 pounds — and still vertical jumped 35 inches and hit 20.75 mph on the GPS.

A five-star recruit in high school, defensive end Jordan Burch (1) had a very productive 2024 season. (Troy Wayrynen / Imagn Images)

7. Savion Williams, TCU, WR

The 6-5, 225-pound receiver is coming off his best season, catching 60 passes for 611 yards and six touchdowns, and he had 51 carries for 332 yards and six more TDs. In addition, he was 3-for-3 passing for 22 yards and a touchdown. His size and athleticism are eye-catching: Last offseason, he hit 10-6 on the broad jump and posted a 40-inch vertical. He squatted 600 pounds, bench pressed 355, power cleaned 350 and clocked 22.5 mph. And it shouldn’t have been a big surprise that he was a weapon throwing the ball because he is a former high school quarterback who has a strong arm, and teammates say can throw the ball 80 yards.

8. Kenneth Grant, Michigan, DT

The former unheralded recruit from Indiana began wowing the UM staff almost from the moment he set foot on campus, causing Jim Harbaugh to rave about the then-360-pounder running a sub-5.0 40. Grant, No. 3 on our Freaks List in 2024, has been clocked at 18.75 mph on the GPS while weighing 350 pounds. Last offseason, he vertical jumped 29 inches. He had 32 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, three sacks and three QB hurries to go with five passes broken up in 2024.

9. Elijah Arroyo, Miami, TE

The latest in a deep and talented pipeline of Canes tight ends, Arroyo was finally healthy and became a big weapon for Cam Ward, catching 35 passes for 590 yards and seven touchdowns in 2024. The 6-5, 251-pounder had scouts at the Senior Bowl raving over his agility and route-running. He’s expected to run the 40 in the low 4.5s at the combine. Miami coaches tell me they expected his shuttle times to be “elite.” Offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson said Arroyo moves like a huge wideout and will become a Pro Bowler before too long.

10. Jihaad Campbell, Alabama, edge/linebacker

The 20-year-old was the best player on the Tide defense in 2024, wreaking havoc as he piled up 117 tackles to go with a team-high 11.5 TFLs and five sacks. The 6-3, 245-pounder is expected to run the 40 in the 4.4s and I’m told he should excel in everything else.

11. Tyleik Williams, Ohio State, DT

The Buckeyes had a terrific D-line, and the 6-3, 327-pound Williams was its anchor. He had eight TFLs and 46 tackles for the national champions and should excel at the combine. Despite his massive frame, I wouldn’t be shocked to see him run the 40 in the 4.8s and clock a 10-yard split under 1.65.

12. Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona, WR

He has the best ball skills of any receiver in this draft, and though this draft isn’t as good as last year’s for receivers, the 6-4 former volleyball star probably has better ball skills than any of those top players. He has remarkable timing, which makes it seem like he’s a much bigger leaper than he is.

“T-Mac is probably the biggest freak that I’ve ever been around,” said Washington head coach Jedd Fisch, McMillan’s former coach at Arizona and a former longtime NFL coach. “He doesn’t have that great a vertical, but it’s his coordination that is freakish. He has great hand-eye coordination. He’s the best athlete I’ve ever seen.”

The 212-pounder’s speed is good, not great, but he was clocking almost 22 mph last summer, up from 19.8 when he first arrived in Arizona. One NFL receivers coach said this month that his football speed is still impressive as he has noticed how often McMillan is running away from defenders on film. During the past two seasons, McMillan caught 174 passes for 2,721 yards and 18 TDs on a team where everyone knew he was the one who Noah Fifita, his best friend and quarterback, looked for on almost every play.

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13. Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota, OL

A three-year starting left tackle for the Gophers, the 6-5, 339-pounder earned first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2024 after being voted second-team All-Big Ten in 2023. The Kansas City native excelled in high school track and field as a shot putter, and threw the discus and javelin. Some of that athleticism is reflected in the eye-popping numbers he put up last offseason, clocking a 1.52-second 10-yard split — a program record for offensive linemen — and hitting 18.34 mph on the GPS. If he matches that 1.52 or gets close to it, there will be some jaws on the floor. That time is faster than any offensive lineman has clocked at the combine since the league officially has kept that stat. Duke’s Jacob Monk did a 1.66 last year, which tied Weber State’s Sua Opeta from 2019 as the fastest. Ersery posted a 27.5-inch vertical and a 9-2 broad jump along with a pro shuttle time of 4.61. That’s not bad for a player who was once rated as the No. 77 tackle prospect in the 2019 class.

14. James Pearce Jr., Tennessee, edge

He has been productive for a good Vols defense, posting a team-high 13 TFLs, 7.5 sacks and 10 QB hurries in 2024. As a sophomore, the 6-5, 243-pounder wowed folks in the Citrus Bowl when he clocked 23 mph on a pick six against Iowa, turning in one of the fastest GPS measurements of any FBS play all season. Vols coaches have told me Pearce is a legit 4.4-caliber talent. He has become a bit of a polarizing prospect, but he should impress in the testing part of the draft process.

15. Will Johnson, Michigan, CB

The defensive MVP of the 2023 national championship game missed much of last season due to injury. The 6-2, 202-pounder is the complete package. Coaches gush about his intelligence. Johnson has good size and had the fastest time on the team last offseason on Michigan’s reactive plyo stairs test at 2.27 seconds. He did the three-cone drill in 6.57 seconds, which would top the best time during the past two years for corners at the past two combines of 6.62. Johnson’s 20-yard shuttle time was 4.05 seconds, which would’ve been third during the past two years in Indianapolis. His broad jump was 10-8 1/2.

16. Charles Grant, OT, William & Mary

A former standout wrestler, Grant had only two offers out of high school: William & Mary and UVA Wise. He enrolled weighing 240 pounds but has blossomed with the Tribe. Before the 2024 season, he measured in at 6-4 1/2 and 301 pounds and hit 21 mph on the GPS and vertical jumped 32 inches. Scouts have measured his arms at 35 inches. Tribe strength coach Kenny O’Mary told me Grant has clocked a fully automatic timed 1.44 10-yard split, which is remarkably fast for any football player, let alone an offensive lineman.

17. Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss, edge

The Texas native began his career at Florida before transferring to the Rebels and was a big reason Ole Miss set program records in sacks (52) and TFLs (120), leading the nation in both categories. The 6-4, 255-pounder tied for the team lead with 10.5 sacks and had 13.5 TFLs. He had 25.5 sacks and 38 TFLs in his college career. Umanmielen has elite get-off speed and bend. His coaches expect him to run the 40 in the 4.5s, and his 10-yard split should be blazing.

18. Beaux Collins, Notre Dame, WR

The former Clemson receiver was a good addition to the Irish offense, catching 41 passes for 490 yards and three touchdowns. He could flash in Indy in the testing. The 6-3, 208-pounder from Los Angeles put up some freaky numbers during the training program last offseason at Notre Dame, vertical-jumping 41 1/2 inches and broad-jumping 10-11 1/2.

19. Donovan Jackson, Ohio State, OG

One of the leaders for the national champions, Jackson shifted from guard to left tackle when Josh Simmons was lost for the year with an injury. The 6-4, 320-pound Jackson is super strong, but his agility is even more impressive. He timed a 1.59 10-yard split last offseason, vertical jumped 30 inches and went 9-7 in the broad jump.

20. Armand Membou, Missouri, OL

He probably could play right tackle or guard in the NFL and do well at both. The 6-3, 332-pounder has run an electric 10-yard time of 1.63 and a 20-yard time of 2.80 in addition to clocking 20 mph on the GPS. He has squatted 650, cleaned 375 and benched 425.

Armand Membou could play a few positions on the offensive line in the NFL and excel. (Eric Canha / Imagn Images)

21. Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech, RB

One of our favorite Freaks to watch the past few years, Tuten, a former North Carolina A&T player, can fly. Last offseason, the 5-11, 208-pounder clocked a 4.32 40, reached a 23.15 mph max velocity, bench pressed 400 pounds and had a vertical jump of 39 inches. In 2024, he was tied for third in the nation with four runs of 50-plus yards. That season, he averaged more than 6.0 yards per carry and went for 1,159 yards and 15 rushing TDs.

22. Isaac TeSlaa, Arkansas, WR

He was No. 83 on the 2023 Freaks List after transferring from Division II Hillsdale College. He had a big finish for the Hogs, catching three passes for 107 yards in the Liberty Bowl win over Texas Tech. He had 545 yards on 29 catches for three TDs in 2024. The 6-2, 212-pounder has been testing very well in training ahead of the combine and is expected to vertical jump around 40 inches and broad jump in the 10-7 range. He is running the 40 in the mid-4.4s, which are all impressive numbers for a big wideout.

23. Nic Scourton, Texas A&M, DL

The Big Ten’s sacks leader in 2023 at Purdue, the 6-4, 280-pounder was voted a team captain at 19. He transferred close to home at A&M and led the Aggies with five sacks in 2024 and had 14 TFLs, one fewer than he had in 2023. His old defensive line coach at A&M, Sean Spencer, thinks Scourton’s 40 time will be in the 4.7 range but adds that his agility numbers “will be fast.”

24. Mike Green, Marshall, edge

He was one of our sleepers last year who blew up this past fall. His former coach at Marshall, Charles Huff, says Green reminds him a lot of former Alabama star Will Anderson, who Huff was around when he was a Bama assistant, adding that Green might not be as powerful but is probably more athletic. Green measured in at the Senior Bowl at 6-3, 251 (up eight pounds from last season). His explosiveness gave opponents at the Senior Bowl fits, but it was his bull-rush in one-on-ones against Oregon’s 313-pound Josh Conerly that had coaches talking. Green, who last offseason ran a 4.57 40, led the nation in sacks with 17.

“He’ll test phenomenal,” Huff told me this month. “He was probably playing at 240, 245 last season. He came in this summer and said, ‘What do I need to do to make it to the league?’ I said, ‘You need to put on a little weight.’ He went out, paid out of his own pocket and bought his own meal prep. He started eating right and ended up putting on 10 pounds, got to about 245 by the end of the summer. End of season was around 240, 242. I think he’ll run in the 4.5s, but his 10 is gonna be ridiculous. He’s got an unbelievable get-off. What he did at the Senior Bowl, I watched every day at practice. He’s stronger than you think, and he’s so explosive. His explosiveness is gonna be his equalizer.”

25. Da’Quan Felton, Virginia Tech, WR

He spent the first four years of college at FCS Norfolk State before transferring to Virginia Tech, where he caught 70 passes for 10 TDs and more than 1,000 yards the past two seasons. He’s an intriguing talent, measuring in at the Senior Bowl at 6-4 ¼ and 222 pounds with 33-inch arms. Last offseason, Felton displayed rare athleticism for that size, broad jumped 10-8 while running a 4.42 in the 40 to go with his 36.5-inch vertical.

26. Landon Jackson, Arkansas, DL

He began his career at LSU but flourished after transferring to Arkansas, recording 23 TFLs and 12 sacks in the past two seasons. At 6-6 and 281 pounds, Jackson topped out at 20.4 mph last offseason and broad jumped 10-2 and had a 34-inch vertical.

27. Jayden Higgins, Iowa State, WR

The Miami native began his college career at Eastern Kentucky before transferring to Ames and lighting up the Big 12. In 2024, he had 87 catches for 1,183 yards and nine touchdowns. At 6-3 and 217 pounds, Higgins is fast, explosive and long, with an almost 80-inch wingspan. I would not be surprised if he runs a lot faster than many expect.

28. Mykel Williams, Georgia, edge

He struggled his sophomore season to get rolling because he was injured early in the year and was in and out of the lineup. But he was back and ready to roll at midseason when Georgia went to Texas and got after the Horns. Williams had two sacks and forced a fumble in that victory. Later in the season, when the Dawgs faced Texas again, this time in the SEC title game, he had two more sacks and five QB hurries. He finished the season with five sacks and 8.5 TFLs. The 6-5, 265-pounder with 34-plus inch arms is expected by Georgia coaches to run the 40 in the high 4.5s or low 4.6s.

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29. Ashton Jeanty, Boise State, RB

He had a ridiculous 2024, leading the Broncos to the CFP. The Texan had 12 runs of 50-plus yards last season, which is seven more than anyone else, and has incredible balance and strength. Jeanty repeatedly has topped 22 mph in games and squatted more than 605 pounds; BSU strength coaches wouldn’t allow him to go any heavier. Scouts and coaches have compared him to LaDainian Tomlinson and Maurice Jones-Drew, among others.

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30. David Walker, Central Arkansas, edge

The three-time FCS All-American and two-time Freaks Lister piled up 63 TFLs, 31 sacks and six forced fumbles in three seasons and 34 games. The 6-2, 260-pounder should test well. Last offseason, his 40-yard-dash time was 4.59 seconds to go with a vertical jump of 36 inches and a 385-pound power clean.

31. Cody Lindenberg, Minnesota, LB

A very good player on a very good defense, he was voted by Big Ten coaches as a first-team all-league player after finishing with a team-best 94 tackles, five TFLs and six passes broken up, plus one interception. He has very good size at 6-3 and 240 pounds and has hit 21.46 mph. He ran a 4.00 pro shuttle time last offseason. The last time an NFL linebacker prospect went that fast in Indy was in 2019 when West Virginia’s David Long did it in 3.97 seconds. Lindenberg broad jumped 10-0 and vertical jumped 36 inches and had a 10-yard split of 1.51.

32. Will Campbell, LSU, OL

The 6-6, 320-pounder was a dominant lineman for the Tigers, and he faced more than his share of top pass-rushers in his time in Baton Rouge. He is exceptionally powerful and moves well. In 2023, he clocked the fastest max velocity of any offensive lineman in college football, hitting 17.9 mph in a game. Last offseason, he clocked a 1.57-second 10-yard split with a 1-yard lead-in.

Will Campbell’s speed should be a boon for his performance at the combine. (Scott Kinser / Imagn Images)

33. Elic Ayomanor, Stanford, WR

The 22-year-old from Medicine Hat, Canada, ran a 10.76 100 and 21.66 200 at Massachusetts Deerfield Academy and had his breakthrough game in 2023 against Colorado and Travis Hunter. Ayomanor torched the Buffs for a Cardinal-record 294 receiving yards on 13 catches as Stanford rallied from down 29-0 to beat Colorado. In two seasons at Stanford after redshirting, the 6-2, 210-pounder had 125 receptions for 1,844 yards and 12 TDs. He is expected to run in the low 4.4s, maybe high 4.3s.

34. Ashton Gillotte, Louisville, DL

A one-time Florida high school standout powerlifter and shot-putter, Gillotte has made the Freaks List a few times. He made 39.5 TFLs in his career to go with 25.5 sacks. The 6-2, 275-pounder has clocked around 20 mph on the GPS and is explosive and powerful, having vertical jumped 36 inches. He should test well in Indianapolis.

35. Eugene Asante, Auburn, LB

This team captain had 47 tackles and 4.5 TFLs in 2024. The 6-1, 219-pounder is the younger brother of former NFL safety Larry Asante and is explosive and strong. Last offseason, he squatted 635 pounds, benched 405 and clocked a 4.48 40. He has a max velocity of more than 22 mph.

36. Arian Smith, Georgia, WR

He’s probably the safest bet to run the fastest 40 this year. In 2021, Smith ran a blistering 10.10 in the 100, qualifying him for the NCAA championships. He also was part of UGA’s 4×100 team that qualified for the postseason and set a school record of 38.57. In 2023, the 6-foot, 185-pounder announced he was going to focus solely on football. He only had 20 catches in his first four years at Georgia, but had a breakout season in 2024, catching 48 passes for 817 yards and four touchdowns. Given his track pedigree, it would be a surprise if he doesn’t run in the 4.2s in Indianapolis.

37. Wyett Ekeler, Wyoming, DB

Austin Ekeler’s younger brother is close to joining his big brother in the NFL. The 5-11, 212-pound senior free safety had 46 tackles last fall. He is super explosive, like his brother. Last offseason, he topped what Austin did at his pro day when Austin vertical jumped 40 1/2 inches. Wyett did 42 1/2 inches and had a 10-7 broad jump.

38. Jackson Slater, Sacramento State, OL

An FCS standout who earned first-team All-America honors in 2024, Slater started 44 games in his career and didn’t allow a hit on his QB all season. The 6-3, 320-pounder power cleaned 405 pounds and squatted 635 last offseason but more impressively, topped out at 19.96 mph.

39. Marcus Yarns, Delaware, RB

He had a breakout season in 2023, showing off his versatility with 1,250 all-purpose yards and 18 total TDs. Against Penn State, he had a 66-yard touchdown run. This past season, he averaged 7.0 yards per carry. Yarns should vertical jump close to 40 inches and run around 4.4 in the 40.

40. Darius Alexander, Toledo, DT

The 6-4, 304-pounder bench pressed 400 pounds, hit 20 mph on the GPS and vertical jumped 30 inches last offseason. He had 40 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks and one 58-yard pick six in 2024.

(​Illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; Ryan Kang, Jacob Kupferman, Roger Wimmer/ISI Photos / Getty Images)