3 Badgers transfers make The Athletic’s annual College Football ‘Freaks’ list

Every year, The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman compiles a list of the top ‘freak’ athletes in the country, with a lot of those names usually getting draft recognition in the coming years due in part to their athletic talent.

This year, there are three Badgers that cracked the Top 101 list, with all three being transfers, interestingly enough.

Up first is a name that most fans wouldn’t expect, but Buffalo defensive lineman transfer Junior Poyser clocked in at No. 46 on the list.

“The Ontario native made third-team All-MAC last year at Buffalo after recording 31 tackles and 5.5 sacks,” Feldman wrote of Poyser. “At 6-2, 325, Poyser moves surprisingly well. He ran a 4.55 shuttle time this summer, which would’ve been the fastest among defensive tackles at the 2026 NFL combine. He also vertical jumped 31 inches, broad jumped 9-0 and did 30 reps on the bench with 225, which would’ve tied for second at the combine among DTs.”

That’s a great sign for the Badgers defensive tackle, who was arguably the most impressive player in the room during the spring. At 6’2, 325 pounds, Poyser should be helpful in the run game, but he showed at Buffalo last year that he’s also got some twitch to him, demonstrated by that elite 4.55 shuttle time.

He’s also got some explosiveness, as seen with the broad jump and vertical, and has sheer strength. That’s an athletic freak, and a player who Wisconsin is hoping can take that next step to replace some of their departing talent this season.

Just a few spots behind is Iowa State transfer running back Abu Sama, who comes in at No. 53.

“Sama ran for 732 yards and five touchdowns on 140 carries for Iowa State last season before transferring to Wisconsin. Sama won two state long jump titles in high school in Iowa and is a state record holder (24-10). The 5-11, 211-pounder has impressed his new teammates with his athleticism. He benched 225 pounds 25 times. He’s topped 23 mph on the Catapult. He also broad jumped 10-7, ran a 4.44 40-yard dash and was electronically timed at 1.45 seconds in his 10-yard split.”

Sama’s electrifying outside speed was seen on display from the jump during his career at Iowa State, as the running back went for 614 yards and 7.3 yards per carry as a true freshman with the Cyclones. That should be a huge boost to Wisconsin’s offense and a quality complement to Darrion Dupree, who works well in space and is a solid runner between the tackles as well.

The third Badger on the list is the team’s top projected cornerback, Javan Robinson, who comes in at No. 77 after transferring in from Arizona State.

“The Badgers’ defense has a few guys who could’ve also made this list. Stud sophomore linebackers Mason Posa (a 34-inch vertical at 235 pounds) and Cooper Catalano (a 1.53 electronically-timed 10-yard sprint at 232 pounds) and edge Nicolas Clayton (a 10-3 broad jump and 22+ mph on the GPS at 6-5, 245) each gained serious consideration, as did linebacker Jon Jon Kamara (a 10-11 broad jump at 6-4, 242).

“But we’re opting for Poyser and Robinson. At 5-11 1/2, 185 pounds, Robinson, who has added 15 pounds since January, has turned heads with his speed, clocking a 4.32 40, hitting over 23 mph on the GPS and broad jumping 10-11. He did 14 reps on the bench with 225 pounds and also did pull-ups for reps lugging an extra 100 pounds up.”

To be honest, it is a bit of a surprise that freak athlete Jon Jon Kamara didn’t make the list, while Posa, Catalano, and Clayton are all good shouts as well. But Robinson ran a 4.32 40-yard dash, according to Feldman, which is absolutely incredible and likely tops the cornerback room alongside fellow speedy corner Eric Fletcher Jr.

Not only is Robinson fast, but he showed his ability to tackle and be physical at Arizona State, which should be a big boost for Wisconsin as well.