Alabama’s Freak Factory: Four Crimson Tide Stars Land on Bruce Feldman’s 2026 Freaks List
By The Associated Press
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — In a testament to the sheer athletic firepower Kalen DeBoer is assembling in Tuscaloosa, Alabama has placed a staggering FOUR players on Bruce Feldman’s annual “Freaks List” for 2026. The Athletic’s renowned college football analyst dropped his yearly celebration of the sport’s most exceptional athletes, and the Crimson Tide’s presence is as dominant as their offensive line .
The list, which began in 2005, is Feldman’s annual report on the most athletic players in the country . For a program that prides itself on physical dominance, having four players recognized for their otherworldly athleticism signals that Alabama is not just reloading—they are evolving into a team of genetic anomalies capable of overwhelming opponents on the field.
The quartet of Alabama “Freaks” is headlined by a trio of returning offensive line starters, a historic achievement in itself, and features a dynamic quarterback. According to Feldman, this marks the first time in the history of the list that three starting offensive linemen from the same school have earned a mention . Here is a breakdown of the four Crimson Tide stars who made the cut.
Kadyn Proctor: The 366-Pound Anomaly at No. 2
Leading the charge for Alabama is junior left tackle Kadyn Proctor, who secured the No. 2 spot on the entire list . At 6-foot-7 and a staggering 366 pounds, Proctor is arguably the most intimidating physical presence in college football. But it is his explosive athleticism at that size that has analysts and scouts buzzing .
Feldman reported that Proctor’s body features 274 pounds of lean muscle mass . His strength numbers are video-game caliber: this summer, he squatted a monstrous 815 pounds, bench-pressed 535 pounds, and power-cleaned 405 pounds . However, the stat that truly breaks the scale is his vertical jump. Proctor recorded a 32-inch vertical leap, which is as high or higher than five wide receivers who tested at the NFL Combine last year .
“If you’ve ever seen a human being that big move like that,” one scouting source noted, “you know why he is a top-5 draft pick waiting to happen.” Proctor’s 9-foot-3 broad jump further cements his status as a rare movement-skills athlete in a prototype NFL frame .
Parker Brailsford: The Athletic Anchor at No. 20
Center Parker Brailsford, the anchor of the offensive line, checks in at No. 20 on the list . As the former cornerstone of the Joe Moore Award-winning unit at Washington in 2023, Brailsford has brought his freakish power to the SEC . Listed at 6-foot-2 and 290 pounds, his testing numbers are expected to “impress professional scouts” .
According to the list, Brailsford has recorded a 505-pound bench press, a 385-pound power clean, and a 33-inch vertical jump . For a player tasked with handling the massive defensive tackles of the SEC, that combination of sheer upper-body power and explosive leaping ability makes him a nightmare for opposing defensive coordinators.
Jaeden Roberts: Power and Consistency
The third member of the line to make the list is right guard Jaeden Roberts, who came in at No. 27 . Like his teammate Proctor, Roberts is a member of the “500 Club” in the weight room. Reports indicate he has squatted over 800 pounds and bench-pressed over 500 pounds . Roberts provides a consistent, powerful presence on the right side of the line, ensuring that the Crimson Tide have no weak links in their front wall. His physicality is crucial as Alabama looks to establish a more traditional running game in 2026 .
Ty Simpson: The Signal-Calling Freak
While not specifically detailed in the latest search results for this year’s list, quarterback Ty Simpson has also been linked to the “Freaks” list . With the departure of Jalen Milroe, Simpson is expected to take the reins of the offense, and his athleticism provides a dual-threat dynamic that will keep the defense honest. While the specifics of his testing numbers for the current list are less publicized, his inclusion speaks volumes about the overall athletic talent on the 2026 roster.
Implications for the 2026 Season
With the starting quarterback position undergoing a transition, DeBoer’s focus during camp has been on the trenches. Having three offensive line starters who bench over 500 pounds creates an environment where the running game can thrive, regardless of who is taking the snaps . As one analysis pointed out, “The Tide are returning three offensive line starters for the 2025 season, and all three earned a mention from Feldman… In 2024, much of Alabama’s production on the ground came via Jalen Milroe’s ridiculous athleticism. Simpson… does not present such a threat. So, Alabama will have to be more traditional on the ground… That puts the onus on the O-line to create running lanes” .
Proctor’s dominance, in particular, has been game-changing. In last year’s matchup against Georgia, he earned a 90 percent grade with five knockdown blocks, allowing no sacks all night. Against South Carolina’s ferocious defensive line, he posted five knockdowns without allowing a single pressure . If the entire line can replicate that level of dominance, Alabama’s offense will be a juggernaut in 2026.
