Try "researchers"
    Using advanced player-tracking software, we take a look at the fastest players who dominated the highlight-reels during the 2024 college football season.
    Using advanced player-tracking software, we take a look at the fastest players who dominated the highlight-reels during the 2024 college football season.
    AACACCBig 12Big TenConference USAFBS IndependentsFCSMACMountain WestPac-12SECSun Belt
    Using advanced player-tracking software, we take a look at the fastest players who dominated the highlight-reels during the 2024 college football season.
    Using advanced player-tracking software, we take a look at the fastest players who dominated the highlight-reels during the 2024 college football season.

    College Football’s Fastest Players of 2024: Ashton Jeanty, Jalen Milroe, Demond Claiborne Highlight the List

    Using advanced player-tracking software, we take a look at the fastest players who dominated the highlight-reels during the 2024 college football season.

    By Cam Mellor

    All season long, we tracked the fastest players from this year’s college football games. Below are the results from that weekly tracking, combined into one massive document to highlight who truly are College Football’s Fastest Players from the 2024 season.

    CFN CFB Transfer Portal Tracker
    College Football Network’s Transfer Portal Tracker follows along with all the movement from the transfer portal, including portal entrants, commitments, decommitments, and more, from all your favorite schools.

    College Football’s Fastest Players of 2024

    Courtesy of our friends at Reel Analytics, the fastest ball carriers are tracked from every game across the country. To find out more about RA and how they track their data, find them here: RAnalytics on Twitter | Reel Analytics via NetCapital

    College Football’s Fastest Players of 2024: By the Numbers

    Before we get to the countdown, we did some tallying of the weekly results to see where the top speeds lie. Below are the breakdowns of each factor by how many times they appeared on the fastest players’ results.

    College Football’s Fastest Players: By Conference

    • ACC: 39 times
    • SEC: 29 times
    • Big 12: 27 times
    • Big Ten: 22 times
    • AAC: 22 times
    • Mountain West: 16 times
    • FCS: 4 times
    • MAC: 2 times
    • FBS Independent: 2 times
    • Pac-12: 1 time

    College Football’s Fastest Players: By School

    • Boise State: 7 times
    • Clemson: 6 times
    • Ohio State: 6 times
    • SMU: 6 times
    • Louisville: 5 times
    • Texas: 5 times
    • Alabama: 4 times
    • Miami-FL: 4 times
    • North Carolina: 4 times
    • Tulane: 4 times
    • UAB: 4 times
    • Army: 3 times
    • Baylor: 3 times
    • Colorado: 3 times
    • LSU: 3 times
    • Navy: 3 times
    • UCF: 3 times
    • UNLV: 3 times
    • Virginia Tech: 3 times
    • 22 schools tied at 2 times

    College Football’s Fastest Players: By Position

    • RB: 77 times
    • WR: 47 times
    • QB: 18 times
    • DB: 17 times
    • TE: 3 times
    • LB: 1 time

    College Football’s Fastest Players: At Each Position

    College Football’s Fastest Players: Most Appearances

    College Football’s Fastest Players: Most Appearances at 21.0+ mph

    • Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State: 4 times
    • Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State: 2 times
    • Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama: 2 times
    • Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina: 2 times
    • Isaac Brown, RB, Louisville: 2 times
    • Moochie Dixon, WR, SMU: 2 times
    • Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn State: 2 times
    • Rayshawn Pleasant, DB, Tulane: 2 times
    • Amare Thomas, WR, UAB: 2 times

    College Football’s Fastest Players: Honorable Mention

    2024’s Fastest College Football Players

    41) Amare Thomas, WR, UAB: 21.3 mph (Week 3)

    Amare Thomas tied for third-fastest in Week 3, out-running the Arkansas defense in the process. It took him just 4.5 seconds to reach his max speed of 21.3 mph on this touchdown.

    41) Raheim Sanders, RB, South Carolina: 21.3 mph (Week 3)

    Living up to his nickname, Raheim ‘Rocket’ Sanders took this carry out of the backfield and reached 21.3 mph to simply out run the LSU defense. Sanders indeed has some rocket power to his game.

    41) Jamaal Bell, WR, Baylor: 21.3 mph (Week 4)

    Baylor WR Jamaal Bell wasted little time in reaching his top speed on this kick return. Bell hauled in the kick and flashed his elite speed by reaching 21.3 mph well clear of any other defender on the house call.

    41) Roman Hemby, RB, Maryland: 21.3 mph (Week 5)

    What an early performance it was for the Maryland Terrapins against Indiana. Though it wasn’t to be in the end, Roman Hemby flashed his brilliant athleticism and caught the Hoosiers’ defense off guard when he scampered for 75 yards and a touchdown, hitting 21.3 mph along the way.

    41) Vinny Anthony II, WR, Wisconsin: 21.3 mph (Week 6)

    Wisconsin Badgers WR Vinny Anthony leaked out behind the Purdue defense on his 52-yard receiving touchdown in Week 6, but it was his top gear that he hit that caught everyone’s eye. Anthony looked caught in the crosshairs of three different Purdue defenders, but turned on the jets to reach 21.3 mph and out-run everyone instead.

    41) Amare Thomas, RB, UAB: 21.3 mph (Week 6)

    UAB RB Amare Thomas took a quick pop pass from the backfield and torched Charlotte defense for 73 yards and six points. He reached his max speed of 21.3 mph in just 6.4 seconds, exploding after he got past the first level of defenders.

    41) Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina: 21.3 mph (Week 14)

    One of the multiple times you’re going to find Omarion Hampton on this list, his efforts against NC State in Week 14 were crucial to UNC’s chances against the in-state rival Wolfpack. Hampton secured this impressive touchdown by securing a little dump-ooff pass up the middle, reaching 21.3 mph as he scored the game-tying touchdown.

    35) Desmond Reid, RB, Pittsburgh: 21.4 mph (Week 2)

    Pittsburgh Panthers running back Desmond Reid took this 56-yard pass out of the backfield for six points. He topped out at 21.4 mph, going the distance for the touchdown.

    35) Travis Hunter, DB, Colorado: 21.4 mph (Week 3)

    You didn’t have to sell us at CFN about just how talented Travis Hunter is on the football field. There’s straight line speed, and then there’s football speed — like Hunter hawking down the Colorado State running back out of the backfield, reaching 21.4 mph in the process.

    Oh, and this came in the fourth quarter, when Hunter had played at least 70 snaps prior.

    35) Rayshawn Pleasant, DB, Tulane: 21.4 mph (Week 4)

    The first of two kick returns for touchdowns that topped the charts from Week 4 was Rayshawn Pleasant. Except, this isn’t the fastest we see Pleasant this year despite hitting 21.4 mph on this 94-yard return.

    35) Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State: 21.4 mph (Week 4)

    There’s an embarrassment of riches — and then there’s the Ohio State offense this season. Just ask the Marshall Thundering Herd, who simply couldn’t catch Quinshon Judkins when he reached 21.4 mph on this 86-yard touchdown run.

    35) Colton Hinton, WR, Furman: 21.4 mph (Week 4)

    You better believe Furman Palladian Colton Hinton cracks the list when he reached his top speed in Week 4. Hinton got behind the William & Mary defense and reached 21.4 mph on this ridiculous 84-yard touchdown.

    35) Kam Shanks, WR, UAB: 21.4 mph (Week 11)

    UAB is no stranger to incredibly quick players, but this play from Kam Shanks is something special. On a play that looked dead, Shanks stayed with his QB, eventually taking what almost accounted to an option pitch, reversed his field, and topped out at 21.4 mph to make something out of nothing.

    30) Dylan Riley, RB, Boise State: 21.5 mph (Week 6)

    No, it’s not just Ashton Jeanty that defenders have to worry about when they play Boise State — no, not at all. Dylan Riley secured this kick-return touchdown by cutting through the middle and reaching a whopping 21.5 mph as he raced to the end zone.

    30) Isaac Brown, RB, Louisville: 21.5 mph (Week 10)

    The future is bright for Isaac Brown, just ask the Clemson defenders who tried to catch him in Week 10. On a simple carry to attempt to kill the clock, Brown took it the distance, beating defenders to the edge, and hitting 21.5 mph en route to the end zone.

    30) Brandon Johnson, CB, Oregon: 21.5 mph (Week 11)

    Brandon Johnson was not to be caught, even by Maryland’s top speedsters on offense, when he scooped up a loose ball and went the distance. Johnson hit 21.5 mph on his 61-yard sccop-and-score touchdown in Week 11.

    30) Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State: 21.5 mph (Mountain West Championship)

    The Mountain West Championship Game saw Jeanty place his name among some of the all-time greats in the sport and secure his spot on the list of fastest players multiple times. Jeanty made a defender miss at the third level and reached a top speed of 21.5 mph on the sidelines, extending Boise State’s lead to three possessions just before halftime.

    30) Rayshawn Pleasant, DB, Tulane: 21.5 mph (Week 6)

    The second time we see Pleasant on this list, but this time he was a bit faster. Pleasant grabbed his second kick-return touchdown in two weeks by going 100 yards and reaching 21.5 mph after he cleared the last line of defenders.

    25) Jordan Lyle, RB, Miami-FL: 21.6 mph (Week 4)

    During Miami’s blowout victory over USF, the Hurricanes’ future talent was on display. Included in that is RB Jordan Lyle who caught defenders lacking when he hit 21.6 mph around the edge for a 91-yard touchdown run.

    25) Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina: 21.6 mph (Week 7)

    Not to be forgotten as one of the top running backs in the country, Omarion Hampton made defenders look silly when hit the second level against Georgia Tech. Hampton reached 21.6 mph and nearly went the distance.

    25) Jaden Mixon, RB, Western Michigan: 21.6 mph (Week 9)

    Jaden Nixon gave something for the home crowd to get behind early in Week 9, reaching a whopping 21.6 mph once he hit the corner. Nixon’s efforts saw him go 92 yards for six points.

    25) Moochie Dixon, WR, SMU: 21.6 mph (Week 13)

    This won’t be the last time you see Moochie Dixon on this list, as he flashed his speed multiple times in 2024. Against Virginia, Dixon turned what looked like a minimal gain into a massive gain by hitting the jets to scoot past the Cavs’ defenders and reaching 21.6 mph at the same time.

    25) Seyi Oladipo, DB, Boise State: 21.6 mph (Mountain West Championship)

    The Broncos have some serious speed — just ask UNLV. Seyi Oladipo put a true champion’s effort into this play in which he hawked the UNLV running back 90 yards down the field, reaching a ridiculous 21.6 mph at the max speed moment in which he made the tackle.

    24) Avieon Terrell, WR, Clemson: 21.7 mph (Week 13)

    There’s closing speed and then there’s what Avieon Terrell did in Week 13. Against The Citadel, Terrell not only closed the space on a carry that broke away, eating up over 10 yards of missed space by reaching 21.7 mph, but he also nearly stripped the ball away in the process.

    23) Savion Williams, WR, TCU: 21.7 mph (Week 9)

    TCU Horned Frogs WR Savion Williams got behind the middle of the defense in Week 9 and was not to be caught. Despite defenders nearly having the angle on him, Williams hit 21.7 mph and secured six points in the process for the Frogs.

    22) Ethan O’Connor, DB, Washington State: 21.7 mph (Week 7)

    The Washington State Cougars are no strangers to speed on defense and Ethan O’Connor napped a pick-six in Week 7 that flashed that once again. O’Connor’s instincts saw him close on a late hitch read by Mikey Keene and hit 21.7 mph on the return.

    21) Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State: 21.7 mph (Week 6)

    Oh, you better believe Ashton Jeanty’s got some serious speed. A regular on this list, Jeanty hit his fastest speed of the season in Week 6 when he reached 21.7 mph and out-ran every Utah State defender to the goal line.

    20) Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State: 21.7 mph (Week 2)

    True freshman sensation Jeremiah Smith flashed what makes him such a special talent early on during the 2024 campaign. On this seemingly simple short hitch route, Smith burned the Western Michigan defense for 70 yards and a touchdown, reaching 21.7 mph in the process.

    16) Chris Bell, RB, Louisville: 21.8 mph (Week 13)

    Chris Bell needed little room to get up to his top speed, making one defender miss on the boundary and scooting in for six points in the rout over Pitt. Bell hit 21.8 mph as he sprinted up the sidelines for six points.

    16) Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami-FL: 21.8 mph (Week 11)

    Had it not been for Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, Elijah Arroyo would’ve been the fastest player overall in Week 11. The big man didn’t look back when he hauled in this seam ball from Cam Ward, reaching an incredible 21.8 mph for six points.

    Players that stand 6’4″ and 245 pounds shouldn’t be able to reach speeds like this.

    16) Malcolm Gillie, WR, Ball State: 21.8 mph (Week 6)

    The only time a MAC player topped the charts this season, Malcolm Gillie actually flashed the top speed of any special teams play in 2024. Gillie hit the edge during his 98-yard kick return for a touchdown and reached 21.8 mph in the process.

    16) Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn State: 21.8 mph (Week 1)

    A ridiculous effort in a ridiculous game — all things considered with the weather — Nicholas Singleton and Penn State put the game away with their second-half performance against West Virginia. In that second-half dominance was Singleton’s 21.8 mph touchdown run that saw WVU defenders grasping at air instead of No. 10.

    12) Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame: 21.9 mph (Week 13)

    What a performance it was for Notre Dame against Army, and that specifically includes their ground game. But more importantly, it includes Jeremiyah Love flashing absolute brilliance on the first play of the second half when he went for 68 yards, a touchdown, and hit 21.9 mph on the scoring play.

    12) Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama: 21.9 mph (Week 11, second time)

    As if once wasn’t enough, the second time was the charm when Milroe hit 21.9 mph and left every LSU Tigers defender in the dust. In a ridiculous display of his athleticism, Milroe put the game away in Week 11 with his 72-yard touchdown run.

    12) Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama: 21.9 mph (Week 11, first time)

    The first time Milroe hit 21.9 mph was early on in the game, so you would’ve thought the LSU defense would learn after this. They didn’t, even after Milroe went the distance from 39 yards out by simply bobbing, weaving, and sprinting past the Tigers.

    12) Bryant Wesco Jr., WR, Clemson: 21.9 mph (Week 2)

    Clemson Tigers WR Bryant Wesco Jr. topped all ball carriers in Week 2 by reaching 21.9 mph on this 76-yard touchdown. In what became a rout of Carolina-rival Appalachian State, Wesco’s first touchdown pass set the tone.

    11) Moochie Dixon, WR, SMU: 22.0 mph (Week 8)

    The fastest player from Week 8 narrowly misses out on the top 10 fastest players of the season. Nevertheless, Moochie Dixon was flat-out flying on this slant-route-gone-bad for Stanford as Dixon reached 22.0 mph once he got past the Cardinal’s safeties.

    6) Micah Robinson, DB, Tulane: 22.1 mph (AAC Championship)

    The AAC Championship Game didn’t go their way, but Micah Robinson was not to be denied a highlight-reel moment. Robinson tracked down Army’s Kanye Udoh, taking a proper angle, and using his 22.1 mph speed that saw him keep Udoh out of the end zone, flashing a true moment of teach tape for the mantra ‘never give up.’

    6) Isaac Brown, RB, Louisville: 22.1 mph (Week 14)

    Brown’s second time on this list sees him reach an even faster speed than before, topping the charts at 22.1 mph in a game-icing touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter. Brown bumped an inside carry outside and sped past the defenders at every level to score six.

    6) Jeremy Payne, RB, TCU: 22.1 mph (Week 13)

    Just one of 10 times a player reached over 22 mph this season, Jeremy Payne announced his place among the fastest player in the country when he blazed by the Arizona defense. Payne hit the corner and out-ran everyone by reaching 22.1 mph en route to the end zone.

    6) Brashard Smith, RB, SMU: 22.1 mph (Week 10)

    The fastest player from Week 10, Brashard Smith set the tone early and flashed his long-distance speed in the process. Living up to their nickname, this Mustang hit 22.1 mph and went 71 yards for a house call.

    6) Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas: 22.1 mph (Week 3)

    The fastest player from Week 3 comes tied for sixth when the season is all said and done, but by no means was this 50-yard house call from Isaiah Bond not impressive. Bond simply waved bye to the UTSA defenders when he hit 22.1 mph along the sidelines.

    4) Duke Watson, RB, Louisville: 22.2 mph (Week 14)

    The Louisville Cardinals has a truly embarrassing amount of speed for any defenses that try to stop them. Duke Watson reached a massive 22.2 mph early in the second quarter that saw him burst through the Kentucky defense and score six points that started the rout.

    4) Xavier Robinson, RB, Oklahoma: 22.2 mph (Week 13)

    Oklahoma began to catch their stride late in the season, their first in the SEC. That included a surprise victory over Alabama that saw Xavier Robinson race to the sidelines, hit 22.2 mph, and score six points as a sign of potentially big things to come.

    2) Aidan Laughery, RB, Illinois: 22.3 mph (Week 14)

    Tying for the second-fastest play from scrimmage this season, Illinois running back Aidan Laughery motored past the Northwestern defense for a game-clinching touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Laughery reached 22.3 mph as he hit the corner during his career day of 172 rush yards and three touchdowns.

    2) De’Zhaun Stribling, WR, Oklahoma State: 22.3 mph (Week 5)

    Oklahoma State WR De’Zhaun Stribling probably didn’t need to hit his top speed to outrun the Kansas State defense, but he showed off the speed anyway. Catching a flea-ficker pass over the defense, Stribling hit the fastest speed of any wide receiver during the 2024 season when he hit 22.3 mph to outrun the Wildcats.

    1) Demond Claiborne, RB, Wake Forest: 22.6 mph (Week 13)

    The fastest player of the 2024 college football season was Demond Claiborne, and if you watched this game live, you just knew it was going to go down as something special. Claiborne stole the momentum back from Miami when he stuttered, made a defender look silly, and then hit 22.6 mph on this game-rallying 99-yard kick-return touchdown.

    College Football Network has you covered with the latest from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, and every Group of Five conference and FBS Independent program.

    Related Stories

    EA Sports College Football: Everything You Need For the Game’s Historic Return

    After a decade-long hiatus, EA Sports College Football has made its return to glory. The popular college football video game is here to stay, radically changing the video game landscape forever.

    Related Articles

    Load more

    College Football Network passionately delivers purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content.

    Copyright © 2023-2024. College Football Network
    All Rights Reserved. Click to Read Privacy Policy