The question of whether NFL players can outrun top NCAA track athletes has sparked a lot of discussion, especially as high-profile NFL stars like Tyreek Hill have claimed they could challenge sprinting legends like Usain Bolt. While this is an exciting thought, it’s crucial to look at the facts—specifically the recorded top speeds of both NFL players and collegiate sprinters—to determine who truly comes out on top in the speed department.
Fastest NFL Players: Speed on the Field
The NFL tracks the top speeds of its players through Next Gen Stats, and the results are impressive. In the 2022 season, Parris Campbell, a wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts, clocked the fastest speed at 22.11 mph. Other top performers included Kenneth Walker (22.09 mph) and Breece Hall (21.87 mph). These speeds, while remarkable in the context of football, are still outpaced by elite collegiate track athletes.
Top NCAA Track Athletes Outpace NFL Stars
When comparing these NFL speeds to those of NCAA sprinters, the difference becomes clear. At the 2022 World Athletics Championships, athletes like Favour Ashe of Auburn hit a peak speed of 26.2 mph in the 100-meter race. This is significantly faster than the top speeds recorded by NFL players, with only a handful of football players—such as Parris Campbell and Kenneth Walker—exceeding 22 mph during the 2022 season.
Notably, NCAA sprinters like Ismael Kone (Florida State) reached speeds of 25.6 mph during the World Championships. These performances show that in terms of pure, sustained speed, track athletes have the edge over football players.
The Impact of Equipment on NFL Speeds
One factor that could contribute to the difference in speed is the equipment worn by NFL players. Football gear, including helmets and shoulder pads, can weigh over 10 pounds and may reduce a player’s top speed. While there’s no exact data on how much this impacts performance, it’s safe to assume that the added weight and bulk slow players down compared to track athletes who run without equipment.
NFL Combine vs. Track Performances: A Comparison
NFL Combine performances offer another perspective. At the 2022 Combine, several players posted impressive 40-yard dash times, including Kalon Barnes, who ran the second-fastest time in NFL history (4.23 seconds), reaching a speed of 25.1 mph. However, track athletes, such as Christian Coleman, have posted better 40-yard dash times, with Coleman running 4.12 seconds in 2017, which is faster than the NFL Combine record.
Track athletes also outperform NFL players in 100-meter races. NFL star DK Metcalf, for example, ran a 10.37-second 100-meter time at the Golden Games, which ranked him far behind elite track athletes. Metcalf’s top NFL speed of 22.64 mph doesn’t compare to the blistering pace set by world-class sprinters on the track.
Dual-Sport Athletes: A Unique Blend of Speed
Some athletes, such as Devon Allen, blur the lines between football and track. Allen, who is both an NCAA champion hurdler and a wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles, recorded a top speed of 20.93 mph during a preseason touchdown run. While this is slower than both top NFL speeds and track sprinters’ best times, Allen’s training as an Olympic hurdler suggests that his true top speed would likely be higher in track conditions.
Other athletes like Devon Achane (Texas A&M) have successfully transferred their track speeds to the football field. Achane reached 22.2 mph during a kick return, faster than any top NFL player in the 2022 season.
Who Is Faster: NFL Players or NCAA Track Stars?
The numbers are clear: NCAA track athletes consistently outperform NFL players in terms of peak speed. While football players display incredible acceleration and top-end speed in game settings, elite sprinters can maintain faster speeds over short distances like the 100-meter race. The controlled, gear-free environment of the track gives sprinters a distinct advantage, which is reflected in their performances.
Although there may be some debate and occasional crossover between sports, track athletes hold the advantage in speed. Until we see more cross-sport races, the title of “fastest athlete” clearly goes to the sprinters of the NCAA.
