College football players are often subjected to numerous tests to evaluate their physical readiness to participate. While the tests appear to be different, some of these tests may provide redundant information and could be eliminated to streamline evaluation of physical development and talent identification processes. PURPOSE: To evaluate the best tests for determining physical ability in college football. METHODS: NCAA Division II football players (n = 48, age = 20.1+1.4 yrs; ht = 184.3+6.4 cm; wt = 105.7+17.1 kg) were evaluated at the end of a winter conditioning period using a 40-yd sprint, pro-agility run, 3-cone drill, standing long jump, and vertical jump. Strength tests included 1 -RM for bench press, squat, power clean, and seated military press. One-minute sit-ups assessed abdominal muscle endurance. Performance on each test was converted to standard scores (z-scores), summed, and rank-ordered to produce a team performance rating (TPR). TPR was dichotomized at the mean into high (n = 25) and low (n = 23) performance categories. RESULTS: Discriminant analysis to estimate TRP groups indicated that bench press and standing long jump were the significant variables selected to explain TPR (Cononical correlation = 0.73, eigenvalue = 1.14). These two variables correctly identified 80% of the high performers and 87% of the low performers. Seventeen of the top 25 performers were backs indicating the dominance of motor skill in these physical performance tests. In the backs-only group (n = 26), standing long jump and bench press remained the most effective tests for identifying high performance backs, correctly classifying 92% of high and 85% of low performers. In the linemen-only group (n = 22), the 40-yd dash was the only significant variable selected, correctly classifying 91% of high performers and 82% of low performers. CONCLUSION: This analysis suggests that physical performance testing in college football players can be reduced to 3 tests (standing long jump, bench press, and 40-yd dash) that provide sufficient information to determine players with superior physical ability and readiness for participation in college football. This would significantly reduce the time required for physical testing without loss of information concerning physical development and readiness to participate in college football.