Every year since 2005, Bruce Feldman of The Athletic has released his “Freaks List,” listing the top 100 “freakish athletes” in College Football. The USC Trojans have been well represented over the years, and typically have at least one player make the list.
Last year, the USC Trojans had two players make the list: WR Zachariah Branch and OL Emmanuel Pregnon.
Neither of those players is on the team anymore, as Pregnon transferred to Oregon and Branch transferred to Georgia. Neither made this year’s list.
The Trojans do, however, have a young player featured by Feldman, and it’s someone who most casual fans may not expect.
USC Trojans DL Jide Abasiri Featured On Bruce Feldman’s Freak List
Jide Abasiri was a true freshman last year who gained playing time as the season went on, partially due to the lack of depth at the position, but also because of his athletic ability.
Feldman ranks Abasiri 38th on his list and writes:
“As a true freshman last year, the former four-star recruit appeared in 10 games and made seven tackles. The 6-5, 295-pounder from Minnesota has intriguing athleticism, having clocked 19.22 mph at nearly 300 pounds. More impressively, Abasiri’s 10-yard split was 1.60, which would be a good time for an edge rusher. He squatted 700 pounds.”
Having the size and power of an interior lineman but the speed of an EDGE is a tantalizing combination.
After an up-and-down year from the defensive front, the unit is now one of the deepest in the Big Ten.
Abasiri is likely to be a rational starter within the group. An unofficial depth chart has yet to be released, but based on practices that we have been to, I would expect the group to look something like this:
- EDGE: Anthony Lucas, Jahkeem Stewart
- NT: Keeshawn Silver, Jah Jarrett, Kobe Pepe
- DT: Devan Thompkins, Jide Abasiri
- EDGE: Kam Fountain, Braylen Shelby
This unit is incredibly deep heading into this season, and Abasiri is set for a breakout year. Will he live up to his “Freaks List” nod?
Comment your thoughts below!