College Football Recruiting 2012: Power Ranking the 10 Fastest Recruits

Let me start by saying just because a player runs a faster 40 time than another player doesn't make them faster than the other player. I do take 40 times into an account, but I also watch the tape and look at pure play speed too.

Speed is always a debatable subject and trait, as there are various ways to display it. Some of these players are noted and accomplished track stars, while others display outstanding play speed on the field.

Any way you look at it, let's speed through this list at a fast pace.

10. Brian Kimbrow, RB

Kimbrow is one of the top 100 players in the country according to most, as the 5'9", 165-pound running back is not big, but doesn't allow himself to get tackled often, because he outruns everyone.

If Kimbrow, who's pledged to Vanderbilt, is allowed to square his shoulders to the goal posts, chances are, he's gone.

9. Armani Reeves, CB

A 5'10", 180-pound cornerback, Reeves shows tremendous speed by carrying receivers all over the field, especially deep.

To back up his warrant for making this list, the first cousin of Charles Barkley has been timed at 4.41 in the 40 and is headed to Penn State.

8. Avery Johnson, WR

Johnson's ceiling is among the highest in the 2012 receiver class. He's 6'2",185 pounds, headed to LSU, long and speedy.

When he wants, he can eat cushion off the line in a flash, stem up a corner's toes, get even and leave him on perimeter with sheer speed. 

7. Ronald Darby, CB

Darby, headed to Notre Dame, is the best cornerback prospect in the country per Scout.com. 5'11", 175 pounds, he carries receivers deep and almost never gets beat downfield.

His speed allows him to play tight on the line, and he shows excellent acceleration for the ball in flight.

6. Tracy Howard, CB

A physical corner on the perimeter, Howard is a 6'0", 175-pound cover man that tops out at 4.4 in the 40 on the regular.

His speed translates on the field well, which is why he's so confident to jam at the line. Howard knows he has the recovery speed to jam, adjust and recover to take chances that other corners can't.

5. Shaq Roland, WR

Committed to South Carolina, Roland is a 6'1", 180-pound receiver whose best trait is his speed to get downfield. He has great explosion off the line, accelerates out of his cuts underneath and can take the top off a defense

4. Dorial Green-Beckham, WR

Green-Beckham is the top player overall on my board, and the 6'6", 220-pound receiver making this list is part of the reason why. 

While he is not overly sudden, DGB has excellent long speed and has been timed as low as 4.43 in the 40. He has the speed to get behind a secondary and also shows solid burst out of his cuts.

3. Aaron Burbridge, WR

At 6'2", 185 pounds, Burbridge has been timed as low as 4.37 in the 40. He has tremendous explosion and play speed and is a long and lean athlete.

Burbridge, a Michigan State pledge, has the speed to command an extra safety in the passing game, and will need bracket coverage in college downfield.

2. Keith Marshall, RB

At 5'11", 180 pounds, Marshall may be the fastest running back in the country. He boasts a 4.32 40 time to prove it, and it also shows on tape.

He displays excellent speed, acceleration and burst to score from anywhere on the field, simply by running by people.

1. Marvin Bracy, WR

Bracy runs a 4.32 40-yard dash, 10.19 100-meter dash (a national No. 1 time) and a remarkable 6.24 55-yard dash.

He is one of the very, very best track and field prospects in the country, and his times are among the top elite in that sport as well.

His speed translates to the football field smoothly, and Florida State has his pledge.