The 50 Fastest Returning Players in College Football

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The college football universe contains many amazing individuals. All with the ability to play the game at an extremely high level.

However, some of those players are able to rise above the rest.

Some do it with strength, while others do it with size. But, the most prized possession of any athlete is that coveted ability called speed. 

This list contains those individuals who are blessed with the means to fly down the field at break-neck speed.

Let's take a look at the 50 fastest returning players in college football next season. 

Marquess Wilson

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Marquess Wilson

Junior 2012

Wide Receiver

Washington State

6'2", 188 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.48

Wilson is an impressive receiver with a bright future. Much like his team, look for him to be much improved in 2012. 

Giovani Bernard

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Giovani Bernard

Sophomore 2012

Running Back

North Carolina

5'10", 205 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.48

Bernard is a fast guy with toughness. Only a sophomore in 2012, look for him to top his 1253 yard performance in 2011. 

Hunter Furr

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Hunter Furr

Senior 2012

Running Back

Was at North Carolina, now at ECU

6'0", 210 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.47

Furr is above average fast, and he has a cool name. What more could you ask for?

Robert Lester

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Robert Lester

Senior 2012

Safety

Alabama

6'2", 210

Best 40 Time: 4.46

Another big guy with good speed. It is almost not fair. 

Montee Ball

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Montee Ball

Senior 2012

Running Back

Wisconsin

5'9", 212 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.46

When you think of Montee Ball you don't necessarily think of speed. You usually think of power and strength. However, Ball is plenty fast, and look for him to have a great senior season. 

Xavier Rhodes

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Xavier Rhodes

Junior 2012

Cornerback

Florida State University

6'2", 215 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.46

 

Another big guy who can move. Rhodes has the complete package and speed is just one of his tools. 

Sheldon Price

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Sheldon Price

Senior 2012

Cornerback

UCLA

6'1", 180 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.45

 

Price is a good corner with good speed. Now, if his team could play good it will be the perfect formula. 

Ray-Ray Armstrong

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Ray-Ray Armstrong

Senior 2012

Defensive Back

Miami

6'4", 215

Best 40 Time: 4.44

 

Armstrong is big and strong, and yet he has still clocked a 4.44 40.

Torrance Hunt

Torrance Hunt

Junior 2012

Running Back

East Carolina

5'8", 175 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.43

 

Hunt plays fast, and he should only continue to improve. 

Ace Sanders

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Ace Sanders

Junior 2012

Wide Receiver

South Carolina

5'7",175 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.43

 

Quick and agile is how you can describe Ace Sanders. Oh ya, and fast. 

Tony Jefferson

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Tony Jefferson

Junior 2012

Safety

Oklahoma

5'10", 200 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.43

 

Very strong and plenty fast, Tony Jefferson is quite a force.

Johnthan Banks

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Johnthan Banks

Senior 2012

Cornerback

Miss State

6'1", 185

Best 40 Time: 4.42

 

Crafty, smart, fast, and strong. Those are just a few words that describe Johnthan Banks. 

Ray Graham

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Ray Graham

Senior 2012

Running Back

Pitt

5'9", 195 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.42

 

Graham is fun to watch. Let's hope he lives up to expectations in 2012. 

Keenan Allen

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Keenan Allen

Junior 2012

Wide Receiver

Cal

6'3", 205

Best 40 Time: 4.42

It is really not fair when guys this big move as fast as Allen. He may not be the fastest person on this list, but he is still plenty fast.

Look for this guy to have a great NFL career someday. 

T.J. McDonald

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T.J. McDonald

Senior 2012

Safety

USC

6'3", 205 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.42

McDonald has one more year to shine at USC. His size, speed, and ability make him a key weapon. 

Ronnie Wingo Jr

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Ronnie Wingo Jr. 

Senior 2012

Running Back

Arkansas

6'2", 231

Best 40 Time: 4.42

Wingo is a big, strong back that knows how to move. It can't feel good getting hit by this guy if he is running full speed. 

David Amerson

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David Amerson

Junior 2012

Cornerback

North Carolina State

6'2", 193 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.42

This list is full of so much talent, and Amerson is no exception. It wouldn't surprise anyone if he bypasses his senior year to turn pro. 

Bacarri Rambo

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Bacarri Rambo

Senior 2012

Safety

Georgia

6'1", 218 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.40

 

Big, strong, and fast. You don't want to get in the way of this freight train.

Sammy Watkins

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Sammy Watkins

Sophomore 2012

Wide Receiver

Clemson

6'1", 200 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.40

Sammy Watkins can be summed up in one word -- Wow!  This guy is lightning in a bottle.

Joseph Randle

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Joseph Randle

Junior 2012

Running Back

Oklahoma State

6'0", 192 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.40

Randle is versatile and fast. Look for the Cowboys to utilize him to have another great season. 

T.J. Moe

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T.J. Moe

Senior 2012

Wide Receiver

Missouri

5'11", 195 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.40

Moe is solid player with all the tools.

He is not the fastest player on the list, but he is certainly fast.

Tyrann Mathieu

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Tyrann Mathieu

Junior 2012

Cornerback

LSU

5'9", 179 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.39

Mathieu is fast when he needs to be. Look for him to have a great 2012, and look for his team to be back in the mix once again.  

Sheroid Evans

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Sheroid Evans

Sophomore 2012

Cornerback

Texas

6'0", 185 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.39

Sheroid should stage a super sophomore season.

Say that five times fast.

Kenny Stills

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Kenny Stills

Junior 2012

Wide Receiver

Oklahoma

6'1", 189 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.39

Kenny Stills is faster than most people realize. His breakaway speed is impressive, his moves are incredible, and overall he is a great receiver.

Stedman Bailey

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Stedman Bailey

Junior 2012

Wide Receiver

West Virginia

5'10", 190 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.38

Stedman Baily came out of high school running a 4.4 40 yard dash. He has gotten a bit faster, and it shows.

Dallas Burroughs

Dallas Burroughs

Sophomore 2012

Wide Receiver

Boise State University

5'9", 175 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.38

Look for Burroughs to make his name a punt returner as well as a wide receiver. He has great quickness and he is of course, extremely fast. 

Rashad Greene

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Rashad Greene

Sophomore 2012

Wide Receiver

Florida State University

6'0", 175 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.37

 

Rashad is so fast, it will leave you green with envy. 

Mike Bellamy

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Mike Bellamy

Sophomore 2012

Running Back

Clemson

5'10", 178 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.36

Clemson has a good one in Bellamy. The 2012 season brings a lot of promise for both of them. 

Robert Woods

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Robert Woods

Junior 2012

Wide Receiver

USC

6'1", 184 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.36

Woods will be part of an incredible team in 2012. Look for Robert Woods and USC to be in the mix for a BCS title. 

Marcus Wheaton

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Markus Wheaton

Senior 2012

Wide Receiver

Oregon State

6'0", 178 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.36

Wheaton is a very fast receiver. Look for him to get a lot of action come the 2012 season. His team looks to be much improved. 

George Farmer

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George Farmer

Sophomore 2012

Running Back

USC

6'1", 205

Best 40 Time: 4.35

Southern Cal is going to be amazing come 2012.

Look for Farmer to harvest a few touchdowns during the year. 

Justin Gilbert

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Justin Gilbert

Junior 2012

Cornerback

Oklahoma State

6'0", 205 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.35

 

Incredibly fast and agile, Gilbert is the true all-around athlete.

Derrick Hopkins

Derrick Hopkins

Junior 2012

Wide Receiver

South Florida Bulls

5'5", 158 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.34

Dynamite comes in small packages, and Hopkins is no exception. This guy will make your head spin. 

Nigel Malone

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Nigel Malone

Senior 2012

Defensive Back

Kansas State University

5'10", 176 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.34

 

Malone is fast and quick.

He has moves that make your jaw drop. His senior year should be a good one. 

Broderick Brown

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Broderick Brown

Senior 2012

Cornerback

Oklahoma State

5'8", 185 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.34

 

Another huge athlete that isn't very big at all.

However, when you are this fast it doesn't matter your height. 

Miles Shuler

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Miles Shuler

Sophomore 2012

Wide Receiver

Rutgers

5'10", 172 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.32

Shuler is a talented player with all the right stuff. It will be interesting to see what the new head coach for the Scarlett Knights does with this guy.

Sam McGuffie

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Sam McGuffie

Senior 2012

Wide Receiver

Now with Rice

5'11", 200 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.32

This guy is amazing, athletic, and of course, fast. He should have a great senior season. 

Kenneth Gilstrap

Kenneth Gilstrap

Junior 2012

Cornerback

Middle Tennessee

5'10", 180 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.31

Middle Tennessee is lucky to have a guy like Gilstrap. He has all the tools to make it at the next level as well. 

Denard Robinson

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Denard Robinson

Senior 2012

Quarterback

Michigan

6'1", 193 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.30

 

It will be interesting to see how the Wolverines use Robinson in his senior year.

Will he only be a quarterback? He is talented enough to play a couple of other positions on the field. It will be exciting to watch. 

Onterio McCalebb

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Onterio McCalebb

Senior 2012

Running Back

Auburn

5'10", 175 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.29

 

Do not blink when watching McCalebb play. If you do, you might miss a touchdown.

De'Anthony Thomas

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De' Anthony Thomas

Sophomore 2012

Running Back

Oregon

5'9", 175 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.29

A lot of people are excited to see what Thomas does next season. However, you can bet nobody in the Pac-12 is eager to see him in action. 

Branden Smith

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Branden Smith

Senior 2012

Cornerback

Georgia

5'11", 176 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.28

Once clocked at 4.28, Smith is one of the fastest players on the list.

He doesn't always show it, but when he needs to light it up he can. 

Skye Dawson

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Skye Dawson

Senior 2012

Wide Receiver

TCU

5'10", 175

Best 40 Time: 4.28

Skye Dawson was named correctly when he was born. This guy flies. 

Tavon Austin

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Tavon Austin

Senior 2012

Wide Receiver

West Virginia

5'9", 176 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.28

Austin is incredible. He should finish his career strong and then make an impact in the NFL. He certainly has the speed to do it. 

Quincy McDuffie

Quincy McDuffie

Senior 2012

Wide Receiver

University of Central Florida

5'10", 175 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.28

This guy is lightning fast. Look for him to make his senior year count. He is coming off an ankle injury, but he should be just fine. 

Devon Smith

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Devon Smith

Senior 2012

Wide Receiver

Penn State

5'7", 158 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.26

Small, but extremely fast, Smith has a reputation to live up to.

Look for him to do that next season. 

Andre Debose

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Andre Debose

Junior 2012

Wide Receiver

Florida

5'11", 191 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.26

Andre Debose averaged 27 yards per catch last season.

Look for coaches to get him the ball a bit more in 2012. 

D.J. Monroe

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D.J. Monroe

Senior 2012

Running Back

Texas

5'9", 175 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.26

Monroe has yet to live up to his potential in Texas.

He certainly has the speed, but it takes a bit more than that. 

Damiere Byrd

Damiere Byrd

Sophomore 2012

Wide Receiver

South Carolina

5'9", 161 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.26

Byrd had coaches excited when still in high school he ran the fastest time ever at a  Nike Combine event.

He hasn't made a huge impact yet, but expect that he will. 

Marquise Goodwin

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Marquise Goodwin

Senior 2012

Wide Receiver

Texas

5'9", 177 lbs

Best 40 Time: 4.26

 

Marquise Goodwin is freaky fast. If you have ever seen him run you know that. Look for him to have a great senior year.