Clemson Star’s Insane Body Scan, Blazing Speed, and Athletic Testing Put Him at No. 1 on 2025 Freaks List

Every year, college football fans, NFL scouts, and sports performance junkies eagerly await the release of Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List” — a revered compilation of the most athletic, physically gifted, and jaw-droppingly powerful players in the nation. In 2025, the top honor didn’t go to a quarterback, a flashy wide receiver, or a hulking offensive lineman. Instead, it went to Clemson’s newest athletic marvel — a player whose body scan numbers, speed metrics, and sheer physical dominance have left coaches, scientists, and talent evaluators completely stunned.

Meet Elijah “E.J.” Daniels, the 6-foot-4, 248-pound hybrid linebacker/edge rusher who has not only cemented his place as one of college football’s most feared defenders but also earned the distinction of being the most freakishly athletic player in America. Daniels’ placement at the very top of the 2025 Freaks List wasn’t just a matter of hype or projection — it was the result of staggering data that reads more like the specs of a video game character than a real human being.

When Clemson’s strength and conditioning staff uploaded Daniels’ latest DEXA body scan results into their database, jaws dropped. His body fat percentage was an astonishing 4.1%, nearly unheard of for a player his size and position. Even more shocking was his lean muscle mass ratio, which was described as “borderline superhuman” by one member of the university’s performance science team. His muscle symmetry and bone density placed him in the 99.9th percentile of all tested athletes — collegiate or professional. One analyst bluntly described the scan results as “NFL Combine ready, today.”

But it wasn’t just Daniels’ body composition that blew everyone away — it was what he could do with it. Clemson released some verified GPS tracking data during spring practice, and Daniels clocked an eye-popping 22.5 miles per hour on a backside pursuit during a scrimmage. For context, that’s the kind of speed typically reserved for elite NFL receivers and defensive backs — not 248-pound edge defenders. In short bursts, Daniels’ acceleration was reportedly even more impressive. His 10-yard split time, taken during a modified 40-yard dash drill, was clocked at 1.51 seconds — on par with some of the NFL’s most elite pass rushers.

His vertical jump? 42.5 inches. Broad jump? A freakish 11 feet, 2 inches. Bench press reps at 225 pounds? 34. And that’s not even accounting for the fact that he squatted 605 pounds for three clean reps during a filmed offseason training session, while teammates watched in awed silence. One assistant coach joked, “We stopped lifting that day. Nobody wanted to follow that act.”

There’s something different about Daniels, and people inside the Clemson program have known it since the day he arrived on campus. Originally a four-star recruit out of Marietta, Georgia, Daniels flew somewhat under the national radar during his high school career. He was a standout, yes, but not the kind of player who earned the “generational talent” labels or drew headlines before ever stepping foot on a college field. It wasn’t until his sophomore year at Clemson — when he finally earned a full-time starting role — that the nation got a glimpse of what he could become.

Last season, Daniels recorded 14.5 tackles for loss, 9.0 sacks, and forced three fumbles, but the raw stats don’t fully capture the disruption he caused. He was double-teamed on nearly 40% of his pass rush snaps yet still led the team in quarterback pressures. His closing speed off the edge is so fast that opposing quarterbacks are coached to roll away from his side or get the ball out in under 2.5 seconds — or risk being hunted down from behind.

What truly separates Daniels, however, is not just his physical tools but how he applies them. He has a natural instinct for timing the snap count, elite hand usage developed from offseason MMA training, and an unusual ability to bend around offensive tackles at angles that defy conventional biomechanics. His flexibility and balance are off the charts, allowing him to dip his shoulder while maintaining speed and leverage. Multiple scouts have commented on how “clean” his pass rush reps look on film — violent, but under control.

“He’s not just an athlete — he’s a technician,” said one NFL scout who attended Clemson’s spring practices. “You can find guys who are fast or strong, but you almost never find a guy who is that fast, that strong, and that refined. He’s going to be a Top 10 pick, easy.”

Behind the scenes, Daniels is known for an intense, almost obsessive approach to preparation. He logs every workout, keeps a training journal with daily goals, and is often the last player out of the film room. During the summer, while most players took a brief vacation after spring ball, Daniels flew to Phoenix to train with a former NFL linebacker and speed specialist. According to his trainers, Daniels spent nearly three weeks working on lateral explosion, hand speed, and footwork drills — honing the minute details of his craft while most of the college football world was still catching up on sleep.

His nutrition is also meticulously managed. Clemson’s performance staff revealed that Daniels works closely with a private sports dietitian who helps him fine-tune his macros, hydration, and recovery routines. He reportedly consumes over 5,000 calories a day during training periods, balanced across a nutrient-dense plan focused on lean proteins, omega-3 fats, and performance carbohydrates. It’s all part of the package that makes Daniels not just a college star, but a walking, breathing prototype for the modern NFL defender.

Feldman, who has curated the Freaks List for nearly two decades, said that Daniels was a “no-brainer” for the top spot this year. “He tested off the charts in every category. Body scan? Unreal. Speed? Unthinkable. Strength? Ridiculous. On top of that, he’s dominating in actual games. It’s everything you want in a football freak.”

NFL teams have taken notice. At least a dozen scouts are expected to attend Clemson’s early-season matchups, with many specifically requesting sideline access during warmups to observe Daniels’ movements up close. There are already whispers that several front offices see him as a potential Top 5 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, provided he stays healthy and continues to produce at the level he’s shown so far.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, never one to throw around hyperbole lightly, offered high praise: “I’ve coached some special athletes here — guys who are playing on Sundays, some who’ve made Pro Bowls — but E.J. Daniels is built different. His approach, his body, his mind… he’s the kind of guy you only get once in a decade.”

For Daniels, the recognition is appreciated, but not a distraction. In interviews, he comes across as humble, almost uncomfortable with the hype. “I just want to help my team win. That’s all that matters,” he said at ACC Media Days. “All the other stuff is cool, but at the end of the day, I want to be remembered as a guy who gave everything for Clemson.”

That mindset — combined with his freakish physical gifts — is what makes Daniels so unique. He’s not just an athlete who tests well in the lab. He’s a relentless competitor who lives in the weight room, dominates on Saturdays, and prepares like a professional. As the 2025 season gets underway, all eyes will be on Clemson’s No. 11 — not just because of what he might do, but because of what he already is: the most freakishly athletic player in college football today.

And if the numbers are any indication, the legend of E.J. Daniels is only just beginning.