Two Tennessee Football Stars Named Among the Biggest "Freak Athletes" of College Football

The Tennessee Volunteers had two players make Bruce Feldman's freak list, which recognizes the best freak athletes in the country. Here is who made the cut.

Tennessee wide receiver Mike Matthews (4) scores a touchdown during a NCAA football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Oklahoma Sooners at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on November 1, 2025. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The 2026 college football season is quickly approaching, and the Tennessee Volunteers' roster has begun to receive some major recognition across the nation. Recently, the Tennessee Vols had two of their current players make the Bruce Feldman "freaks list."

This list is based around some of the biggest freak athletes in college football, and considering the Vols have two players who made the list, the 2026 season could be massive.

Here is who made the list for the Vols.

No. 71 - Mike Matthews, Wide Receiver

Tennessee wide receiver Mike Matthews (4) speaks to the media during Tennessee football’s media day on Aug. 4, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

"A former five-star recruit who enters his second season as a starter, he caught 53 passes for 813 yards and four touchdowns. The 6-1, 200-pounder has really benefited from the arrival of new strength coach Derek Owings, who came from national champion Indiana. Matthews has improved his top-end speed to 23.0 mph and his 1.43-second 10-yard split also stands out. Matthews also vertical jumped 38 1/2 inches," Feldman said when explaining why Matthews made the list.

Mike Matthews making the list is no shock, as he is set to be the No. 1 wide receiver on the Vols' roster. He is the perfect example of what the Vols are looking for on the outside, while also being paired with Braylon Staley. Matthews making the list just goes to show how much of a mismatch he is thanks to his size and vertical gifts when it comes to playing against any type of man coverage.

He could find his way to becoming a 1,000-yard receiver for the Vols if things go the way that coaches hope.

No. 6 - Arion Carter, Linebacker

Nov 22, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Arion Carter (7) works out prior to the game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

"He was in the top 12 on the Freaks List last year, and he’s moving up after improving his vert a few inches to 42 1/2 and upping his bench press to 400 pounds (up 75 pounds). The former high school 300-meter hurdle standout also recently clocked a 21.7 mph on the GPS (up from 21.2 last year). The 6-1, 238-pounder is a great student who has been on the SEC Academic Honor Roll each of the previous three seasons. He is also an All-SEC player and team captain who last year led the conference in tackles per game with 7.6," Feldman said when he was explaining why the linebacker for the Vols made the cut.

Arion Carter makes the cut, despite not being qualified to play during the first two weeks of the college football season after being suspended by the NCAA. Carter has elite size for the linebacker position and will also play some EDGE for the Vols this season. His continued success throughout the college level has been thanks to the development of the coaches and the constant growth within the defensive scheme.

A big 2026 season seems to be on the horizon for one of the Vols captains.