Here’s our annual list of the fastest players in college football. Now, some of you are going to disagree with parts of this, probably by quoting a hand-timed 40-yard dash that you read about somewhere on a fan site. But I am basing this list upon hard data, meaning verifiable and recent track times. I have taken this data and combined it with my knowledge of track and field as well as my own observations of how these players move on the gridiron. So, without further ado:
1. Jeff Demps, Fr., RB, Florida–The fastest teenager in American history, Demps has a best of 10.01 in the 100-meter dash. He is an incoming freshman running back for the Gators and, honestly, with this mark I don’t see how he can play football for very long. “Football is still at the top for right now,” said Demps. “There’s no pressure to run track full time. If it’s meant to be it will happen for me down the road.” Don’t hold your breath on that one. In the meantime, the fastest player in college football will be residing in Gainesville this season. Here’s a look at him:
2. Trindon Holliday, Jr., RB, LSU–Last year’s No. 1 slips to No. 2 this year, but just barely. He has a best of 10.02 in the 100 meters, which he ran as a freshman. He ran 10.05 this past track season.
3. Jacoby Ford, Jr., WR, Clemson–Ford was coming off a broken ankle, but that didn’t stop him from running a 10.21 in the 100 meters this past spring.
4. C.J. Spiller, Jr., RB, Clemson–The player with the best combination of production and speed, Spiller is a bonafide star for the Tigers. He has a best of 10.33 in the 100 meters, which he ran this past spring. That means he is even faster than he was in high school.
Here’s a look at Ford and Spiller in action:
5. Jamere Holland, So., WR, Oregon–A USC transfer who sat out last season, Holland has a best of 10.36 in the 100 meters. When healthy, he can flat-out fly.
6. Brandon Saine, So., RB, Ohio State–Saine should be a great replacement for Chris Wells in 2009. His 10.38 100-meter speed is amazing considering his rather solid size (6-0, 210).
7. Percy Harvin, Jr., WR, Florida–Harvin has a best of 10.43 in the 100 meters and he long jumped over 24 feet in high school, too (it takes great foot speed to jump that far). It’s little wonder that he is perhaps the most exciting player in college football. Here’s a little Percy for your viewing enjoyment:
8. T.J. Graham, Fr., WR, NC State–The incoming freshman has a wind-aided best of 10.21 in the 100 meters and a wind-legal 20.82 in the 200 meters.
9. Jahvid Best, So., RB, Cal–Best was higher up on this list last year, thanks to his 10.36 100 meters and 20.65 200 meters. However, he hurt his hip as a freshman and there is some question as to how much of his speed he has retained. I’m sure he is still pretty darn fast.
10. Darius Heyward-Bey–He ran a best of 6.82 in the 60-meter indoor dash as a senior in high school. He’s clearly one of the fastest players in the country.
Honorable Mention: Jeshua Anderson, Washington State; Michael Ray Garvin, FSU; Robert Griffen, Baylor; Rodney Glass, ASU; Travon Patterson, USC; Jeremy Maclin, Missouri; Terrance Toliver, LSU; Sam McGuffie, Michigan; Noel Devine, West Virginia.
Naturally, this list is not perfect, so if I overlooked anyone, feel free to make your case in the comments section.
Let’s be honest, all the players mentioned are fast, and we are talking elite top end speed. Line 10 of them up a dozen times and there is a good chance that there are several different winners. Tough to compare when not all of them have official recorded sprints (from running track). Forty times get thrown around more than the SEC-Big 12 debate, so I never know how “official” those times are. However, if I were asked to pick one, Demps appears to be the fastest player but Rainey should definitely get a mention on the list.
I ran a 4.6 in college, unofficial so the strength coach could have been a little late with the stop watch.
what about pat white? he is fast enough to be on the list
i also would have slipped noel devine in there too
what about ronald johson usc??
i agree taylor mays being the size he is he is no doubt the fastest player in college football my man is 6’4 235 and runs a 4.26 man what a beast and i think he is the second fastest man on usc travon patterson is fast too holland transferd so he would of been number 1
Corey Williams, HB from Quincy University, it’s a D-II school. He runs a 3.99 40-yard dash, laser timed. Look him up he’s ligit.
i did. nothing! says he’s from fla. and played juco ball. there is no way that kind of speed would have been overlooked if it was legit
I think that you shouldnt go off the 100 meter. I think that you should go off propably a 60 yard dash because some need to catch their speed in the 40 and some slow down during the 100. So the best way to do it is a 60 that way people can catch their speed and others wont slow down
terrance cody from alabama runs a 8.9 40 unofficially
Ok decent list Robert Griffen should deffantely be up there he missed US Olympic team by one place in 400 hurdles and 200m and hes 18.
Best speed has def. increased which surprised me from his hip injury.
Its hard to say many fast people none as fast a Chris Johnson 4.24 Officially NFL COMBINE, and thats when we’ll see real speed is at the combines.
But ide have to keep Best up in top 3 now.
noel devine should of been up there
Holland will only get faster. It made perfect sense for him to transfer to Track Town USA to play football. With those facilities, he will only improve his times.
A couple of inteesting things.
Michigan’s Trent did beat Ohio State’s Ted Ginn Jr for a state championship but that was after Ginn had already raced and won 100m hurdles in record time. Trent was fast but really NOT Ginn Jr. Fast. And especially not on footbal field. The three fastest guys I’ve seen with pads on this decade are Reggie Bush, Ted Ginn Jr. and Percy Harvin.
Brandon Saine was super fast but he may have been permanently slowed down by injury. Also he’s too big now at 220. Know matter how fast in the 40, 60 or 100 (He was 2nd Nationally in Nike contest for 60 m in High School)unfortunately he doesn’t have moves and lateral quickness. I wish Brandon luck but he needs to develop quickness even though he possesses incredible speed.
chris rainey