Skip to main content

Top five fastest college football players from Week 1

IMG_0985by:Griffin McVeigh09/03/24

griffin_mcveigh

SingletonMcMillanJohnson
Photos by Dan Rainville (left), Daniel Dunn (middle), Thomas Shea (right) | USA TODAY Sports

Even with the extended schedule, Week 1 of the college football season flew by. Players did the same on the field, with a few incredible acts of speed being recorded throughout the slate.

Reel Analytics was able to capture the top five fastest players over the weekend, with six making the list overall. There was a tie in there between two guys on the back end from in-state rival schools.

CLICK HERE to go to PrizePicks and use code ON3 to receive a guaranteed $50 once you play $5 in lineups!

To make matters better, Reel Analytics provided video, showing the players built to their top-end speed. You can check them all out below.

Watch College Football Games Live -Try for Free Fubo! Click HERE NOW

T-5. Arizona State RB Kyson Brown 68-yard TD at 20.0 mph

Kyson Brown
Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

Starting the list off in a tie of first place is Brown from Arizona State. While this play occurred while the game was well in hand, Wyoming never stood a chance on this screen pass.

There was some early traffic to navigate but once in the open field, Brown was gone. Arizona State’s lead expanded to nearly seven touchdowns in a resounding blowout victory.

T-5. Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan 78-yard TD at 20.0 mph

Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona – © Aryanna Frank-USA TODAY Sports

Nobody had a better individual performance in college football this week than McMillan. He absolutely carved up the New Mexico secondary, going for 304 yards and four touchdowns on 10 receptions.

One of his scores saw the Arizona receiver showcase some serious speed at 20 mph. McMillan pulled away from a New Mexico defender for a long score, tying the game up in the second quarter.

4. Michigan CB Will Johnson 86-yard pick-six at 20.3 mph

Aug 31, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive back Will Johnson (2) runs the ball after he makes an interception in the second half against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Fresno State might have provided a slight scare to Michigan Saturday night but Johnson quickly eliminated any dreams of an upset. A potential one-score game quickly turned into three, with Johnson intercepting a screen pass.

Top 10

  1. 1

    Kirk Herbstreit

    Shot fired at First Take, Stephen A. Smith

    Hot
  2. 2

    Ohio State vs. Oregon odds

    Early Rose Bowl line released

    New
  3. 3

    Updated CFP Bracket

    Quarterfinal matchups set

  4. 4

    Paul Finebaum

    ESPN host rips CFP amid blowout

    Trending
  5. 5

    Klatt blasts Kiffin

    Ole Miss HC called out for tweets

View All

After gathering his feet, there was nobody catching up to the Michigan DB. A clean pick-six, giving the Wolverines a win in the season opener.

3. Colorado WR Jimmy Horn 69-yard TD at 20.8 mph

jimmy-horn-jr-on-rivalry-with-nebraska-i-hate-em
© Tim Heitman

Colorado quickly found out North Dakota State would give them a game by controlling the clock early in the first half. However, part of that was the quickstrike nature of Horn, scoring a long touchdown to give the Buffs a 14-10 lead.

Horn was wide open in the middle of the field but still needed to bounce outside to avoid NDSU tacklers. Eventually running down the sideline, Horn hit 20.8 mph and ran into the end zone untouched.

2. Florida RB Montrell Johnson 71-yard TD at 21.0 mph

Florida Gators running back Montrell Johnson (UAA Photo / Logan Bowles)
Florida Gators running back Montrell Johnson (UAA Photo / Logan Bowles)

Arguably the lone offensive highlight Florida produced Saturday afternoon in the Swamp, Johnson got the sideline and hit top seed for quite some time. Being over 20 mph at any point is impressive and Johnson stayed above the number for a good chunk of his run.

There was a tackle attempt from the Miami defender but was not enough. Something for Billy Napier to see when watching the film and maybe call Johnson’s number a little more often.

1. Penn State RB Nick Singleton 40-yard TD at 21.8 mph

Penn State running back Nick Singleton
Running back Nick Singleton. (Credit: Frank Hyatt | Blue White Illustrated)

This run from Singleton may have been a backbreaker against West Virginia, extending the lead to three scores. Funny enough, he did not reach the top speed of 21.8 miles per hour until away from the West Virginia defense before walking into the endzone with nobody around him.