EA Sports College Football 26 Rankings: Top 10 fastest players

There are few things more exciting in college football than watching a player leave their opponent in the dust. Thankfully for fans, there’s no shortage of speedsters in college football this year. On Tuesday, EA Sports released the 10 fastest players in its upcoming College Football 26 game.

LSU was the only school with multiple players in the Top 10 rankings. However, it was far from the only SEC program that made an appearance on the list. In total, seven of the players in the Top 10 are from SEC schools.

Of course, a few other exceptional talents earned their way into the rankings, as well. To check out the full list, look below.

1. South Carolina WR Nyck Harbor – 99

EA Sports expects Nyck Harbor to be the fastest player in college football this fall, and it’s difficult to argue otherwise. Although Harbor didn’t run for the South Carolina track and field team this spring because he wanted to focus on football instead, he showed off his speed on the track last year.

Harbor finished fifth at the SEC indoor track & field championships in 2024, clocking in at 20.87 seconds in the 200 meters. Additionally, Harbor recorded personal-best times during the outdoor season, with 10.11 seconds in the 100-meter dash and 20.20 in the 200. For his efforts, he earned Second-Team All-America honors in both events.

2. LSU WR Barion Brown – 99

Barion Brown isn’t tearing up the track like Harbor, but his speed is undeniable. No part of the game magnified Brown’s speed more than kick returns. In three years at Kentucky, Brown amassed 1,465 return yards.

He’s also is the all-time leader at Kentucky in kickoff returns for a TD in a career (5) and in a season (3 in 2023). Brown can reportedly reach speeds up to 23 miles per hour in open space, and will be one of the most dangerous wideouts in the SEC this year.

3. UCLA CB Rodrick Pleasant – 99

Rodrick Pleasant transferred to UCLA in April after spending two seasons at Oregon. While Pleasant is currently devoted to football, he was a nightmare for opponents on the track when he was in high school.

In fact, Pleasant still boasts the California state record in the 100 meters with a time of 10.14. He also posted a career-best time of 20.40 in the 200 meters on the same day to finish in first at the Masters Meet. Pleasant will aim to reach new heights on the football field this fall at UCLA.

4. Arkansas WR Jordan Anthony – 99

Jordan Anthony might not be the fastest player on the gridiron in the NCAA, but he’s the fastest on the track. Anthony won both the 100-meter and 200-meter races at the SEC Championships in May, running a jaw-dropping 9.95 seconds for the 100m and 19.93 seconds for the 200m.

Anthony is coming off a career football season, as well. In 2024, Anthony tallied a career-high eight catches for 111 yards and a touchdown. Now entering his second season with the Razorbacks, Anthony will look to use his speed to improve upon his numbers from last year.

5. Texas A&M CB Julian Humphrey – 98

After spending three years at Georgia, Julian Humphrey transferred to Texas A&M this offseason. The 6-foot-1 cornerback immediately provides the Aggies with a defensive speed that is rare even in the SEC.

In 2021, Humphrey ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash, and has likely only grown faster since then. Last season at Georgia, Humphrey made 11 appearances and 10 starts. He finished the year with 10 tackles and four pass breakups.

6. Penn State SS King Mack – 98

King Mack has traversed a winding road during his college football career. He spent his freshman season at Penn State, but transferred to Alabama following the season. Then, King shocked the country when he announced he’d be returning to Penn State this year.

Now, Mack is ready to put his speed to good use in Happy Valley. Mack played in all 13 of Alabama’s games last season, tallying 14 total tackles.

7. LSU WR Jelani Watkins – 98

Jelani Watkins was the second LSU Tiger to grace EA Sports’ Top 10 fastest college football players list. Alas, it was impossible to keep him out of the rankings. After acclimating to the collegiate game last season, Watkins stayed in elite shape this offseason by running on LSU’s track team.

He was a standout for the Tigers, recording a 6.63-second time in the 60-meter dash at the New Mexico Collegiate, which tied for seventh-fastest time in school history. Moreover, Watkins turned in a 20.85 time in the 200-meters at the same meet.

8. Pittsburgh WR Che Nwabuko – 98

Pittsburgh’s Che Nwabuko is the only player from the ACC to grace EA Sports’ Top 10 fastest players this year. Nwabuko hasn’t found his stride on the football field yet, only recording 15 receiving yards last season. Alas, his speed will make him a must-have player for any fan building a roster in College Football 26.

Like many other athletes on this list, Nwabuko isn’t only a football player, but a track athlete too. In the 2023-24 season, Nwabuko posted a 6.91-second time in the 60-meter dash.

9. Georgia WR Zachariah Branch – 97

Zachariah Branch electrified the college football world during his freshman season in 2023, when he was arguably the best kick returner in the country. His success in special teams translated to other parts of the game last season.

In the 2024 campaign, Branch notched 47 catches for 503 yards and a touchdown. With a 10.33-second 100-meter time, Branch will be one of the most-feared offensive threats in the country this fall at Georgia.

10. Kentucky WR Kendrick Law – 97

Kendrick Law joined Kentucky this offseason, via the NCAA Transfer Portal. He will replace Barion Brown, who was the Wildcats’ previous lightning-fast threat out wide. Last year, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer claimed that Law reached 23.6 miles per hour in an offseason workout.

Law finished the 2024 season with 10 receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown. Alabama also occasionally used Law in the ground game. Law recorded eight carries for 30 yards last season. He’ll look to step up those numbers at Kentucky this year.