Being a “freak” in college football may be one of the few places where the word carries an extremely positive connotation. It often refers to individuals who, in one way or another, are supremely athletic and stand above their peers with a freakish ability on the field.<\/p>\n
The Iowa Hawkeyes,<\/a> one of the nation’s best developmental programs in the country, have often produced freaks in the weight room and via offseason training, where they mold underrecruited talents into college football stars.<\/p>\n Each year, The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman undertakes the duty of finding the biggest freaks across the land in his annual “College Football Freaks List”<\/a> (subscription required) and what they can bring to the table. On the 2025 list, the Hawkeyes have three current “freaks” cracking the list.<\/p>\n No. 7: Logan Jones, Center<\/p>\n Cracking the top 10 on the list and coming in at No. 7 is Iowa<\/a>‘s star center Logan Jones. The leader of Iowa’s offensive line, Jones has the mental ability to handle pressures, set up blocking schemes, and command the fronts, but his athletic ability is undeniable.<\/p>\n A former basketball player who was in the 260-pound range in high school, Jones first dunked in ninth grade at about 6-1. Now, at 303 pounds, he is one of the country\u2019s best centers. Last year, Jones had zero sacks allowed in 280 pass blocking snaps, per PFF. He set the program record this offseason with a 705-pound squat. He holds the position record with a 36.6-inch vertical, a 1.53 10-yard split and a 4.09 shuttle. His 470-pound hang clean this summer is also a position record, but he was hoping to break the program record for all players held by another Freaks List alum, Tristan Wirfs.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a good number,\u201d Jones said, \u201cbut I broke my hand in the winter, so I know I could\u2019ve gotten more. Wirfs was five. I feel I could\u2019ve gotten it, or gotten close at least. But I\u2019m proud of my hang clean.\u201d – Feldman, The Athletic<\/p>\n No. 22: Kade Pieper, Offensive Guard<\/p>\n Next on the list is another offensive lineman, Kade Pieper, coming in at No. 22 on the list, only furthering the sentiment of how talented the Hawkeyes are up front. Pieper, a younger and budding star for the Hawkeyes, is like so many of their talents. He played multiple sports growing up and is infusing those skills into football.<\/p>\n The 6-4, 290-pound former Nebraska state champion shot putter, who played in 11 games in 2024, is next in the long pipeline of Hawkeye O-line Freaks. Only a sophomore, Pieper already holds the program record (4.13) for fastest short shuttle among offensive guards. He also holds the vertical jump record for guards at 37.4 and for the best 10-yard dash program record at 1.52.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a Freak,\u201d said Hawkeye center Logan Jones. \u201cHe can jump! It\u2019s ridiculous. We don\u2019t even practice broad jump, and the dude did like 10 feet.\u201d – Feldman, The Athletic<\/p>\n No. 50: Preston Ries, Linebacker<\/p>\n Possibly a lesser-known name on the list, Preston Ries is only a matter of time before he becomes more well-known among Iowa and college football fans. Coming in at No. 50 on the list, his work in the weight room and his agility are second-to-none and have the Hawkeyes’ linebacker pipeline alive and well.<\/p>\n The former all-star QB didn\u2019t get into any games last season, but don\u2019t be surprised if he becomes a factor for the defense soon. A four-sport super athlete from a small town in Iowa (Monticello, pop. 4,056), the 6-1, 225-pound Reis already holds the program linebacker record with a 630-pound squat as well as a 41.4 vertical jump\/ and 1.45-second 10. – Feldman, The Athletic<\/p>\n Contact\/Follow us\u00a0@HawkeyesWire<\/a>\u00a0on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0to follow ongoing coverage of\u00a0Iowa<\/a>\u00a0news, notes and opinions.\u00a0Follow Riley on X:\u00a0@rileydonald7<\/a><\/p>\n