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Rubbing The Rock tracks the fastest players in college football

By Tyreese Ingram

Sep 19, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Louisiana State Tigers defensive back Donte Jackson (1) and safety Jamal Adams (33) react to a near interception against the Auburn Tigers in the second quarter at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Louisiana State Tigers defensive back Donte Jackson (1) and safety Jamal Adams (33) react to a near interception against the Auburn Tigers in the second quarter at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Who are the fastest college football players for the 2017-18 season? Of course, there is absolutely no true way to determine the “Fastest Man” without having head-to-head races, but we can look at track times of those who also compete in track and field to help give us a hint.

Only a few athletes attempt to compete in both sports these days, so the list of participants is short and seems to get shorter and shorter every year. With careful research, I was able to comprise two Top five lists of the fastest this college season has to offer.

Before we get to the top five speedsters, let’s list the 60 meters and 100 meters times of college football’s elite speedsters from the past.

60 meters(collegiate record, 6.45):

  1. Leonard Scott 1999-02, Tennessee 6.48
  2. Jacoby Ford 2006-09, Clemson 6.51
  3. Jeff Demps 2008-11, Florida 6.52
  4. Trindon Holliday 2006-09, LSU 6.54
  5. C.J. Spiller 2006-09, Clemson 6.58

100 meters(9.89):

  1. Holliday 10.00
  2. Ford 10.01(tie)
  3. Demps 10.01
  4. John Capel 1998-99, Florida 10.03
  5. Scott 10.05

Jacoby Ford is definitely one of the fastest in college football history. Scott ran 6.48 twice, but Ford ran 6.51 twice, 6.52 three times, 6.53 and 6.54. He has more times under 6.55 than Scott. In fact, those 6.48s are Scott’s only times under 6.55.

Click here to see the video above

So who gets the title of “Fastest Man” for the College Football 2017-18 season?

Here are the athletes with the best track times from this track season.

60 meters:

  1. Donte Jackson CB, LSU 6.64
  2. Winston Lee CB, Syracuse 6.68
  3. Nyheim Hines WR, NC. State 6.71
  4. Kwadarrius Smith WR, Akron 6.75
  5. Troy Pride Jr. CB, Notre Dame 6.77

Jackson has been used at wide receiver, nickel, and as a punt and kick returner, but settled in at cornerback this past season. He finished seventh at the SEC Indoor Championships with a time of 6.67.

“Man, that’s God given, he’s explosive.”

Hines is another athlete who has played multiple positions in college. He has been used at running back, wide receiver and on both return teams. In 2015, Clemson football fans watched Hines race 100 yards on a kickoff return in the Tigers 56-41 shootout win over N.C. State.

Clemson fans should also be familiar with Pride Jr. who is from Greer High School(SC). Pride received a late offer from the Clemson coaching staff, but ultimately chose the Irish.

100 meters:

  1. Tony Brown CB, Alabama 10.12
  2. Jackson 10.22
  3. Hines 10.34
  4. Lee 10.44
  5. Pride Jr. 10.47

When college football fans last saw Brown, he was on his knees exhausted after sprinting to prevent Clemson receiver Hunter Renfrow from securing the game winning catch in the 2016 National Championship game. He didn’t stop Renfrow but earlier Brown was able to clip the cleats of running back C.J. Fuller who was one step away from possibly returning the late kickoff for a touchdown. A score from Fuller at that time could have possibly changed the outcome, because Alabama would have had the last drive of the game.

Brown only ran four races this track season, and he was still able to run well with the 10.12, a 10.27, 10.37 and 10.39. His first race was at the SEC Championships. The 10.37 didn’t qualify him for the finals, but Donte Jackson did make it with a 10.23. Jackson finished eighth with a time of 10.49.

Jackson and Brown are both really fast. Jackson tops the players in the 60 and Brown is faster in the 100. It would have been great for our list if Brown had competed with the Alabama Indoor team. But he hasn’t competed indoors since 2015 and his best time was 6.84. He is the fastest player on the perceived best team in the country, but Jackson is the “Fastest Man” in college football for 2017-18.

Former teammate and sixth overall N.Y. Jets 2017 draft pick, Jamal Adams describes Jackson’s speed, “Man, that’s God given, he’s explosive.”

With another year of experience at corner, Jackson could be headed to the NFL like Adams. Jackson is a rising junior and Brown, a senior is

projected to be drafted

, so if he declares, then scouts will be drawn to watch their 40 yard dashes at the NFL Combine. Plus, the 40 times would give fans a third event to truly determine who is faster. But for now, Donte Jackson gets the nod.

Next: Tigers 2018 Recruiting - Top 10 Big Board

Be sure to stay tuned to Rubbing The Rock for more updates on the fastest athletes college football has to offer.

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