Owen Pappoe Makes Coveted ‘College Football Freaks List’

Every year, respected CFB savant Bruce Feldman releases his preseason ‘College Football Freaks List’. In his own words, Feldman attempts to “spotlight the players who generate buzz inside their programs, by displaying the unique physical abilities that wow even those who observe gifted athletes every day.” On Wednesday, Feldman’s freaks for 2022 were announced. And an Auburn Tiger has made the list…

Senior linebacker Owen Pappoe has many admirers on The Plains, and word appears to be spreading. Enduring a frustrating injury-hampered season in 2021, Pappoe was keen to return to Auburn and cement his legacy. At 6’1” and 225lbs,the coaching staff will look to Pappoe to be the true leader at the heart of this defense.

Pappoe has taken that responsibility to heart – with extra work in the training room this offseason. Here he is bench-pressing an astonishing 435 pounds:

Already widely regarded as a hard-hitting linebacker, Owen Pappoe has recorded 165 tackles, 12 TFL’s and 6 sacks in 29 games for AU. But it’s the combination of power and strength with elite athleticism that wows onlookers. Pappoe is reputed to run a 4.32 second 40-yard dash, numbers that not many receivers or defensive backs record.

Suitably nicknamed ‘The Freak’, there was an air of inevitability that Pappoe would end up on Feldman’s list this year. Tiger fans will be hoping he’s able to stay on the field and live up to the hype. WDE!