© Adam Vander Kooy/Holland Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Each year, prior to the start of the season, Bruce Feldman of The Athletic releases his annual “Freaks List,” which tracks the most athletic players in all of Division I FBS college football.
The list regularly includes future NFL stars, such as Micah Parsons, Tetairoa McMillan, and Jeremiah Smith.
Next year’s list may well include the name Liam Danitz. However, if you’ve never heard Danitz’s name before, you would be excused. The pass rusher just became one of the most intriguing names to enter the transfer portal, and he might just be a hidden gem.
Liam Danitz Might Be The Best Athlete In The College Football Football Transfer Portal
Danitz began his college career as a 6-foot-4, 200-pound edge rusher and sprinter at Division III Hope College in Holland, Michigan.
The Michigan native is a two-time NCAA First Team All-American Sprinter. He also grew to 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, a size at which he has run as fast as 10.55 in the 100-meter dash and 20.92 in the 200-meter dash.
Those times would be great for a wide receiver or a running back. But since putting on weight, Danitz made the move to defensive end, where he put up eye-popping numbers in 2025.
Liam Danitz 2025 Football Season
6’5 230 lbs Edge Rusher
15 sacks, 21 TFLs
AFCA First Team All-American
AP Third Team All-American
Walter Camp First Team All-Americanhttps://t.co/UHEvEW5aZ7— Liam Danitz (@LiamDanitz) January 6, 2026
Danitz notched 15 sacks and 21 tackles for loss for the Flying Dutchmen this season, and now he’s hoping to see if his game translates to the Division I FBS level.
However, Danitz is still waiting on the NCAA to determine if he has the eligibility to move up a level and play one more season. After entering the transfer portal, he’s already received offers from James Madison, Western Kentucky, and Louisiana Tech, while Power Four programs have also checked in.
Should the NCAA deny his waiver, Danitz will hold a Pro Day and hope for the best.
But if he does get an extra year of eligibility, Liam Danitz might just be a name you’ll want to remember.