North Carolina State University Athletics
Pack Place Two on The Athletic College Football Freaks List 2026
8/11/2026 3:31:00 PM | Football
RALEIGH, N.C. - Spotlighting college football players whose athleticism stands out, Bruce Feldman of The Athletic has named Duke Scott and Colby Cronk to the 2026 Freaks List.
Coming in at No. 18 is running back Jayden Duke Scott. Longtime Wolfpack strength coach Dantonio Thunder Burnette predicted big things from Scott last year, when he made his debut on the Freaks List. The 5-10, 223-pound sophomore ran all over Georgia Tech, going for 196 yards, and later ran for 94 in the bowl romp over Memphis.
Scott has packed on 10 more pounds since last year but is still running a 4.35 40 with a 1.42 10-yard split and has upped his vertical jump to 38 1/2 inches. He cleaned 405 pounds this offseason, a huge amount for a running back. In addition, he back-squatted 575 pounds and did 20 reps at 225 pounds on the bench. He has continued to develop physically while maintaining his elite athleticism. Duke is primed for a breakout season and is poised to make a major impact for the Wolfpack offense.
Scott has been named to the Paul Hornung Watch List.
Nicknamed 'Crash', defensive lineman Cronk arrived in Raleigh with impressive power and explosiveness. He was a Florida state champion in the shot put and a runner-up in the discus. He reported at 260 pounds last year but is now 285 pounds on his 6-3 frame. This summer, he broke a program record by power cleaning 410 pounds. He bench-pressed 420 pounds, vertical-jumped 35.6 inches, broad-jumped 9-6, clocked a 4.80 40, a 4.30 shuttle, and had a 1.60-second 10-yard split.
