The much-anticipated return of EA Sports College Football has stirred excitement among fans of the game, especially those who have long missed the thrill of virtual college sports. As a lover of track and field, I can’t help but feel a bit envious that, while college football gets a video game, track and field does not. But this year’s release has sparked interest even within the track community. Why? Some of the fastest athletes on the track are also stars on the football field.

In this blog, we’ll explore the overlap between track and football athletes, break down the speed ratings assigned by EA Sports, and discuss why there’s often confusion between football speed and track speed. Spoiler alert: they’re not the same thing.

Some of the Fastest Track Athletes are Football Players

If you check the SCA national recruit rankings for the top track and field athletes, you’ll see some familiar names that also show up on the football field. Among the top sprinters, jumpers, and hurdlers, several athletes also play college football. While it’s uncertain whether they’ll continue their track careers in college, they’ve certainly earned their spot on the list for now.

The question of speed ratings comes into play with EA Sports’ new game, where each athlete is given a rating for their speed on the football field. This is where the conversation shifts—because the debate between “football speed” and “track speed” isn’t really a debate at all, once you look at the numbers. Track speed is faster, and I’ve got the data to prove it.

Comparing EA’s Speed Ratings: Football vs. Track Speed

In the latest EA Sports College Football release, the game hands out 97, 98, and even 99 overall speed ratings to 53 football players. This seems excessive, given that only seven of those athletes have legitimate track and field credentials to back up such high ratings. Not even all of those seven are on the same level in terms of speed, so why are so many players being rated that highly?

Speed ratings are meant to reflect true athletic performance, and getting a 97, 98, or 99 is no small feat. Athletes who deserve these ratings should have proven their speed on the track, where there’s no room for speculation about who’s truly the fastest.

The Difference Between Speed and Acceleration

It’s important to clarify that speed and acceleration aren’t the same thing. Great acceleration can make an athlete quick in a 40-yard dash, but that doesn’t equate to the kind of open-field speed that track athletes display over longer distances. Football speed ratings should reflect more than just short bursts—they should take into account sustained speed, which is where track athletes excel.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the fastest men in college football, and compare their EA Sports speed ratings with their actual track and field performances.

Breaking Down the Fastest Players in College Football

We’ll start with the athletes who have earned their speed ratings with legit track stats, beginning with the 97-rated players and working up to the 99s.

• Jordan Washington (97 Rating): Now a running back for the University of Washington, Jordan Washington ran an impressive 10.24 seconds in the 100-meter dash in high school, and broke 21 seconds in the 200-meter dash. He was ranked as a 5-star recruit in track and field. EA Sports got this one right—but other athletes with similar ratings don’t have the same track credentials.

• Che Nwabuko (98 Rating): A wide receiver at the University of Pittsburgh, Che Nwabuko ran 10.44 seconds in the 100-meter dash and broke 21 seconds in the 200-meter dash. While his rating seems fair, other athletes with lower-quality track stats share his 98 rating, creating confusion.

• Jordan Anthony (98 Rating): A sprinter for Arkansas, Anthony was the best combo sprinter in the 100- and 200-meter dash coming out of high school. He also placed second in the 60-meter dash at the NCAA Indoor Championships as a freshman. No football player has come close to matching his success on the track, and he’s deserving of his high speed rating.

The Debate Over 99 Speed Ratings

Two players received the coveted 99 speed rating in EA Sports College Football, but should they have?

• Rodrick Pleasant (99 Rating): Pleasant ran 10.09 seconds in the 100-meter dash during high school, but he hasn’t matched that speed in college track. While his rating might have been justified last year, it may need to be reconsidered based on his recent performances.

• Nyck Harbor (99 Rating): Harbor, from South Carolina, has qualified for the NCAA Championships in both the 100- and 200-meter dashes. He hasn’t made a final, but his speed is undeniable for an athlete of his size. Although I’m not sure he’s quite at the 99 level, his stats justify keeping him near the top.

The Athletes Who Should Be 99-Rated

If EA Sports wants to get the speed ratings right, here’s who should be at the top:

• Jelani Watkins (LSU): With the fastest recorded 100-meter dash of any current college football player (10.02 seconds), Watkins deserves a 99 rating. He also anchored a 4x100 relay team that broke a high school national record.

• Jordan Anthony (Arkansas): As mentioned earlier, no current college football player has earned an NCAA medal in track except for Anthony. His track record justifies a 99 rating.

• Nyck Harbor (99 Rating): As mentioned earlier, Harbor, from South Carolina, has qualified for the NCAA Championships in both the 100- and 200-meter dashes. Arguably that is good enough for a 99 rating based on its own merits.

Correcting the Rest of the List

Rodrick Pleasant might need to be moved down to a 98, while Jordan Washington should be bumped up to the same rating, based on his superior 100-meter dash speed. Dijon Stanley of Utah and Che Nwabuko of Pittsburgh could stay at 97, but the list isn’t complete without adding Micahi Danzy of Florida State, who ran comparable times to Stanley in high school.

Conclusion: Track Speed Sets the Standard

Track and field athletes set the gold standard for speed, and their stats should reflect that in football video games. If you don’t have track credentials to back up your 40-yard dash time, your speed rating in the game shouldn’t exceed a 96. The rest of the ratings can vary, but getting the top names right is essential.

As a passionate fan of track and field, I’m eager to see EA Sports improve these ratings in the next release. Until then, I’ll continue to play the game—Nyck Harbor, I’m looking at you!—and keep advocating for accuracy in how we measure speed across sports.

LOOK GOOD, FEEL GOOD, RUN GOOD.

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