The Kansas Jayhawks had themselves quite the Saturday, defeating Oklahoma for the first time since 1997 and giving Lance Leipold a program-shaping win. And while much of the postgame focus was on the rowdy scene and torn-down goalposts, we learned on Tuesday just how impressive one play, in particular, actually was.
During the third quarter of that 38-33 Kansas win, quarterback Jason Bean gave the Jayhawks a lead on a 38-yard touchdown run. Now, in real time, it was clear that Bean was zooming down the sideline. After all, three Oklahoma defenders had solid angles in pursuit and still couldn’t cut off Bean. But the next-gen stats really put the speed into perspective.
22.4 MPH 🤯 @jasonbean24 pic.twitter.com/BUTswoDcYd
— Kansas Football (@KU_Football) October 31, 2023
According to Reel Analytics, Bean hit a max speed on the run of 22.4 mph. That’s a faster speed than any NFL ball carrier this season, beating Tyreek Hill’s 22.01 mph. In fact, NFL Next Gen Stats only recorded one ball carrier with a faster speed in any season since tracking began in 2018, and that was Raheem Mostert twice in 2020.
But to see a quarterback hitting Tyreek Hill-caliber speed — that truly is something else.
No wonder college football fans were impressed. Bean was FLYING.
This was how Twitter reacted
Hold on @cheetah. We want smoke this off-season! Lol https://t.co/DqIGzq4leG
— AqibTalib21 (@AqibTalib21) October 31, 2023
The fastest NFL ball-carrier on a play this season, per @NextGenStats, is Tyreek Hill at 22.01 mph. So I don't know how to wrap my head around this tweet: https://t.co/2AMC01O846 https://t.co/z1TJbacFUW
— Jesse Newell (@jessenewell) October 31, 2023
Jason Bean https://t.co/HJjze9BrPg pic.twitter.com/KQfQzfIdd2
— Sean (@seanemmerson22) October 31, 2023
Dude needs to become a Running Back https://t.co/R0suaxkboC
— n (@KCPITT49) October 31, 2023
this would be the fastest ball carrier in any of the past 6 NFL seasons. closest was matt breida at 22.3 in 2019; the rest are all around 22.1. insane speed from bean here https://t.co/pXvYNyeMKq
— stir until sauce thickens (@geostrophicflow) October 31, 2023
Excuse me… a QB? https://t.co/iHvyaYLEpx pic.twitter.com/JhQXwALoFb
— 𝐴 𝑈𝑛𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝐻𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑛 𝐹𝑎𝑛 (@NotWhoYouDream) October 31, 2023
Good Lord 22.4mph is just absurd… https://t.co/KMnyd1y4E0
— Irrational 1941 Jay (@Irrational41Jay) October 31, 2023
22.4?!?! I knew he was fast but that’s bananas. https://t.co/70icGHGrgH
— Eddie Munster (@EddieMunster69) October 31, 2023
This is Tyreek Hill fast, right? 😳 https://t.co/piHyvx1LbF
— Patrick Moore (@1912jayhawk) October 31, 2023
