Speed Kills: The fastest players in FBS for 2020

In any sport, there is always a segment of the competition which separates from the the rest of the pack. A major factor in any event is speed.

In football, speed is utilized as a trait which has to be addressed by the opposition. You must account for it no matter the form or function.

These 25 individuals are all potential game changers in major college football due to their elite speed when on the field. They’re the swiftest of the swift.

Here are my top 25 FBS top speed demons for 2020:

1. DB Kiland Harrison (5-11, 170) redshirt freshman, Tulane.

It may surprise some that perhaps the fastest player in college football wears the Olive and Blue. He arrived on Willow Street as a receiver in 2019 and was converted to defense. With a 4.25 forty time and a 10.66 time in the 100 meters, Harrison makes a great case for top honors. He adds a 36.5″ vertical to his skillset for good measure.

2. WR Jalen Virgil (6-1, 210) senior, Appalachian State

With his 4.26 forty and 10.20 hundred meter speed, Virgil made 24 catches for 383 yards and 4 touchdowns in 2019. He also tallied four kickoff returns for a big 36.5-yard average.

3. WR TuTu Atwell (5-9, 165) junior, Louisville, 4.27

Chatarius “TuTu” Atwell snared 70 balls for 1,276 yards and 12 scores last fall. He models his game after Ravens speed merchant Marquise ” Hollywood” Brown.

4. DB Tyson Campbell (6-2, 185) junior, Georgia. 4.27

Rangy safety made 11 tackles vs. LSU in 2018.

5. RB Lorenzo Lingard (6-0, 202) redshirt sophomore, Florida, 4.27

A transfer from Miami, injuries curtailed freshman season with the Hurricanes (136 yards and 2 touchdowns) in 2018.

6. RB Pooka Williams (5-10, 170) junior, Kansas, 4.29

The ex-Hahnville High star totaled 2,167 yards and 10 touchdowns the past two season. He had 3,118 yards rushing and 37 touchdowns his senior prep season, earning the Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year honor.

7. RB Corey Wren (6-0, 185) freshman signee, Florida State, 4.31

The John Curtis product has also turned times of 10.41 in the hundred meters and 6.8 over 60 meters.

8. CB Kary Vincent (5-10, 185) senior, LSU, 4.38

Having posted a blazing 10.04 in the 100 meters, the versatile Tiger had 48 tackles and four interceptions last season playing both corner and safety.

9. WR Anthony Schwartz (6-0, 179) junior, Auburn

He’s posted a 10.09 in the 100 meters and been clocked running 21.79 mph. Schwartz grabbed 41 passes for 440 yards and a score last season.

10. CB Derek Stingley, Jr. (6-1, 190) sophomore, LSU.

Recognized as the top ranked cover man in college football, his 4.3 speed helped him snare six interceptions last season.

11. DB Dax Hill (6-0, 190) sophomore, Michigan. 4.3

An explosive athlete with a 43.6″ vertical, he made 36 tackles and an intereption last season. His brother Justice Hill is a running back for the Ravens.

12. CB Nigel Knott (5-11, 188) senior, East Carolina, 4.3

He made 12 appearances for Alabama before his transfer to the Pirates. Knott has posted a 46″ vertical.

13. WR Skyy Moore (5-9, 195) sophomore, Western Michigan, 4.32

In his freshman season, Moore caught 51 passes for 802 yards and 3 touchdowns.

14. WR Demetris Robertson (6-0, 190) senior, Georgia, 4.34

In 2019, he made 30 grabs for 333 yards and 3 touchdowns while earning his team’s most improved player honor.

15. WR McLane Mannix (5-10, 195) senior, Texas Tech, 4.35

A transfer from Nevada where he was named Freshman All American, Mannix has 133 catches for 1,901 yards and 16 touchdowns in his career.

16. WR Kayshon Boutte (6-0, 180) freshman, LSU, 4.37

A polished young wideout with a 6.96 time over 60 meters and 21.3 in the 200, he brings additional speed to Tigers’ talented receiving corps. Boutte posted five touchdowns in the rain against Teurlings Catholic last season to fuel a 52-35 win for Westgate.

17. RB Travis Etienne (5-10, 210) senior, Clemson, 4.38

For his college career, the Jennings High product has 4,038 rushing yards and 56 touchdowns while adding 54 catches for 567 yards and six scores. He’s a 2020 Heisman candidate.

18. RB Sean McGrew (5-7, 185) senior, Washington, 4.38

Also capable of a 10.56 in the 100, he played 12 games for the Huskies in ’19 with season-high 106 yards rushing vs. Arizona.

19. WR Whop Philyor (5-11, 177) senior, Indiana. 4.39

It takes longer to say his given name – Mister Elias De’Angelo Philyor – than it takes for him to change a game. Called “Whop” because of his love for Burger King’s Whoppers, he totaled a whopping 126 catchesfor 1,572 yards and 9 touchdowns with the Hoosiers.

20. WR Devonta Smith (6-1, 175) senior, Alabama, 4.4

The Amite, La. product made 68 catches for 1,256 yards and 14 touchdowns last year. He averages 18 yards per grab with the Tide.

21. WR Brandon Lewis (5-9, 165) junior, Air Force, 4.4

This Falcon is a true flyer.

22. WR KeSean Carter (5-11, 175) junior, Texas Tech

He’s run a 10.35 in the 100 meters and 6.71 in the 60.

23. WR Austin Watkins (6-3, 205) senior, UAB, 4.41

Related to Chiefs receiver Sammy Watkins, Austin had 57 grabs for 1,092 yards and 6 touchdowns last season for the Blazers.

24. WR Reggie Roberson (6-0, 200) senior, SMU

A true game-breaker for the pass happy Mustangs, the West Virginia transfer has run 10.55 in the 100 meters. Overall, Roberson as 95 career catches for 1,605 yards and 12 touchdowns (16.9 yards/catch average).

25. WR Jaylen Dixon (5-9, 170) junior, Utah, 4.45

In two years, he’s totaled 56 catches for 932 yards and 3 touchdowns for the run-first Utes.