Ranking 10 Fastest Recruits in 2015 Recruiting Class

Speed is one of the primary factors that college coaches look for on the recruiting trail. 

The 2015 class is loaded with athletes who are a blur on the gridiron.

Whether it’s running backs, receivers or defensive backs, a handful of stud recruits in the 2015 cycle possess elite speed. 

Which recruits are among the 10 fastest prospects in the 2015 class?  

10. Kirk Merritt

Kirk Merritt introduced himself to the recruiting world by winning the SPARQ national championship combine held at The Opening last summer, as noted by Bleacher Report’s Tyler Donohue. 

Included in his display of athletic marvel was a time of 4.43 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

The 4-star athlete has the tools to become a running back or a wide receiver at the next level.

Oregon and Texas A&M are still in the running to land the 5’11”, 206-pound Louisiana native on national signing day.

9. Malik Jefferson

Malik Jefferson is the nation’s top outside linebacker because of his instincts and ability to play the run and pass with equal effectiveness.

The 6’3”, 215-pounder—who has already enrolled at Texas—also happens to be faster than most of the running backs and receivers he’s trying to stop. 

At The Opening last summer, Jefferson notched a time of 4.39 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

His size and athleticism have Jefferson poised to be the next defensive stud groomed by Charlie Strong.

8. Stephen Johnson

As Chance Linton of 247Sports noted, a broken foot sidelined 4-star athlete and UCLA pledge Stephen Johnson before the 2014 season. 

However, he proved his mettle at The Opening as an elite athlete when he ran a blistering time of 4.37 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

Although he played quarterback at the high school level, Johnson could make the switch to receiver or corner, and he’s a candidate to return kicks at the next level.

Oregon and Arizona State were among the other schools who tendered the electric athlete from the Golden State.

7. George Campbell

A quick glance at Florida State’s 2015 recruiting class reveals that Jimbo Fisher and his staff will add another collection of athletic freaks to the roster.

One member of FSU’s class who is already on campus as an early enrollee is 5-star receiver George Campbell.

The 6’3”, 184-pounder ran a time of 4.36 seconds in the 40-yard dash at The Opening. 

With measurables such as those, Campbell will fit in well at a place that has developed its share of stud athletes in recent years.

6. Mark Fields

Similar to Jefferson, 4-star corner and current Clemson pledge Mark Fields is one of the rare defenders who can outrace the receivers he’s trying to cover.

His father, Mark Fields Sr., was a standout linebacker in the NFL for three different teams from 1995 to 2004. 

The younger Fields has been clocked at 4.33 seconds in the 40-yard dash. 

With that type of speed and a 5’10”, 190-pound frame, Fields has the potential to develop into an All-American corner at the next level.

5. Bryce Love

Bryce Love can hurt defenses in myriad ways because of his blinding speed.

Love averaged nearly 11 yards per carry during a junior season in which he rushed for 1,914 yards and 24 touchdowns.

The 4-star all-purpose back has a reported time of 4.3 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

North Carolina, Stanford and Virginia Tech are among the schools fighting to land the 5’10”, 180-pounder.

4. Nyheim Hines

One of the strongest parts of N.C. State’s 2015 class is the pair of 4-star running backs headed to Raleigh in Johnny Frasier and Nyheim Hines. 

Frasier is a bruiser at nearly 230 pounds, and Hines is the lightning to his thunder.

The 5’9”, 187-pounder—who has a reported time of 4.30 seconds in the 40-yard dash—rushed for 3,137 yards and 49 touchdowns as a junior. 

With that type of explosiveness, it will be hard for Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren to keep Hines off the field next fall.

3. C.J. Sanders

Notre Dame dipped into California to land dynamic 4-star receiver C.J. Sanders.

The 5’9”, 177-pounder ran a time of 4.32 seconds in the 40-yard dash at The Opening.

The elusive Sanders used that speed to account for 999 yards of total offense and 17 touchdowns as a senior.

He’ll now take that blazing speed to South Bend, where Brian Kelly will try to put him in positions to make big plays in open space.

2. Jordan Scarlett

At 5’11”, 222 pounds, 4-star running back Jordan Scarlett is a big back who can do damage between the tackles. 

However, considering that he busted off a 4.30 time in the 40-yard dash at The Opening, he also has breakaway speed to take it the distance every time he touches the ball.

Scarlett rushed for 1,224 yards and 24 touchdowns as a senior.

He is committed to Miami, but fellow Sunshine State powers Florida and Florida State are hoping to flip him on national signing day.

1. Taj Griffin

Pound-for-pound, there may not be a more explosive player in the 2015 class than 4-star running back Taj Griffin.

The 5’10”, 175-pounder has consistently been clocked in the 4.3 range in the 40-yard dash, and his 4.31 time at The Opening was the second-fastest time recorded at the premier camp for the nation’s top prospects. 

He will take his blazing speed from metro Atlanta out west to play for Mark Helfrich and the Oregon Ducks.

Even though Griffin hails from SEC country, his game is the perfect fit for the Ducks' uptempo attack.

All 40-yard dash times courtesy of 247Sports or Student Sports. 

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow @SanjayKirpalani