Big news for Syracuse football: two of their linebackers, Chris D’Appolonia and Antoine Deslauriers, just landed spots on Bruce Feldman’s annual Freaks List. Hosted by The Athletic, it’s basically the who’s who of college football athletes with wild athletic numbers and weight room stats.
D’Appolonia and Deslauriers grabbed the No. 45 and No. 52 spots, which puts them among the top linebackers in the country. Not bad, right?
Chris D’Appolonia: A Consistent Performer
Chris D’Appolonia, who transferred from Toledo, made Feldman’s Freaks List for the second year in a row. That alone says a lot about his consistency and athletic chops.
He’s 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, and his physical numbers are kind of jaw-dropping:
- Vertical Leap: 37 inches
- Top Speed: 21.67 mph
- Bench Press: 375 lbs.
- Squat: 565 lbs.
- Clean: 325 lbs.
Last season with Toledo, D’Appolonia racked up 68 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss, earning All-MAC honors. Clearly, he’s not just a weight room wonder—he actually delivers on the field.
Antoine Deslauriers: A Rising Star
Antoine Deslauriers is making waves fast. After a Freshman All-American year in 2025, he became the first true freshman ever to lead Syracuse in tackles.
His offseason? Pretty wild:
- Bench Press: 390 lbs.
- Squat: Over 500 lbs.
- Vertical Leap: Over 34 inches
- Top Speed: 23 mph
Last season, Deslauriers posted 60 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, two pass breakups, and two forced fumbles. He’s got a knack for reading plays and making things happen when it counts.
The Impact on Syracuse Football
Having both D’Appolonia and Deslauriers on Feldman’s Freaks List is a big deal for Syracuse. It shines a light on their individual talents and says a lot about the team’s strength and conditioning program.
The national attention doesn’t hurt either—recruiting might get a little easier with this kind of buzz.
Upcoming Season Expectations
Heading into the new season, all eyes are on D’Appolonia and Deslauriers. They’re both smart, athletic, and honestly, pretty fun to watch.
Syracuse kicks off six home games at the JMA Wireless Dome starting September 5. With these two in the lineup, fans have plenty to look forward to.
Training Regimens and Athletic Achievements
It’s not just natural talent—both guys have put in serious work in the weight room. Their numbers come from sticking to tough, disciplined routines. That effort turns into real power and endurance during games.
Chris D’Appolonia’s Training Highlights
D’Appolonia’s training is all about balance: strength, speed, and agility. A 37-inch vertical and 21.67 mph top speed? That’s not easy to pull off.
His bench, squat, and clean numbers just round out his profile as a legit all-around athlete.
Antoine Deslauriers’ Training Highlights
Deslauriers isn’t slacking, either. Benching 390 lbs. and squatting over 500 lbs. puts him in rare company.
His vertical and speed numbers make him a versatile threat—exactly what you want in a linebacker.
Conclusion
Chris D’Appolonia and Antoine Deslauriers landing on Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List? That’s no accident. It speaks volumes about their work ethic and raw talent.
As the new season creeps closer, all eyes are on them. Their play could shape how Syracuse fares on defense.
Curious about their journey and what’s next? You can dig into more details at Syracuse Football News.
If you’re around, why not catch a game at the JMA Wireless Dome? This season’s looking interesting.
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