UConn cornerback Byron Jones didn’t just beat the old NFL combine broad jump record, he destroyed it. Jones, who missed the end of last season with a shoulder injury that limited his combine to just a few drills, but the ones he did get to participate in were historic.
Jones unleashed a 12-foot, 3-inch broad jump that smashed the old combine broad jump record by eight inches. If that wasn’t crazy enough, if the official measurment holds up, he’ll hold the new world record, beating the 12-feet, 2 inch jump from Arne Tvervaag set in 1968.
Just look at it.
https://vine.co/v/OQIKjwxwMY3/embed
That guy in the back, who just walks away shaking his head. That is the appropriate response.
The old mark was set by New England Patriots linebacker Jamie Collins in 2013 of 11-feet, 7 inches. What makes it even more remarkable is that even hitting 11 feet is a rarity at the combine and only one other player hit it this year, Florida State cornerback P.J. Williams.
Jones’ high jump of 44.5 inches was the second best of the combine, behind Georgia wide receiver Chris Conley who performed a 45-inch jump Saturday.
In his seven games before going out with an injury, Jones had 24 tackles, two picks, a TD and four passes defended. At 6-foot-1 and 196 pounds, Jones is a big corner that NFL teams are looking for to match up with high-jumping receivers. Jones projected as a seventh rounder, but today’s showing may push him up higher by at least a couple of rounds.
It could do even more than that. It might land him on the United States Olympic team as United States Track and Field were wise to take notice of Jones’ potential world record Monday.
Apparently @Byron16Jump has an appropriate Twitter handle. Just broad jumped 12-3 at #NFLCombine: https://t.co/kJ472HP0eJ
— USATF (@usatf) February 23, 2015
Jones shoulder kept him out of the 40-yard dash but will get another chance at UConn’s Pro Day. Jones is a four-year starter with eight career interceptions.
Trae Waynes does not disappoint
Trae Waynes out of Michigan State was already the top-rated cornerback coming into the NFL Combine and Monday morning he solidified that position, first in the 40-yard dash where he laid down a lightning-fast 4.31. Waynes time is the second fastest of the entire combine, behind only UAB wide receiver J.J. Nelson’s 4.28.
Waynes also had one of the best performances in the bench press with 19 reps and the high jump with 38 inches. His broad jump was 10 ft., 2 in.
Waynes performed at the middle of the road in the rest of the drills, but his performance as a cover corner for the Spartans last season, plus his sprinter speed, should keep his draft stock high.
Waynes recorded 46 tackles, two for a loss, one sack, three interceptions and eight passes defended for Michigan State in 2014.
Safeties make their case
While not considered a deep class with only one projected first round pick in Alabama’s Landon Collins, some safeties still managed to stand out Monday. Mississippi’s Justin Cox ran the second fastest 40 of all the defensive backs with a 4.38. Utah’s Eric Rowe’s 4.45 and Arizona States Damarious Randall’s 4,46 were both top 10 times.
Cox came into the day projecting as a seventh rounder or even undrafted free agent, but with his size, 6-foot-1 and 191 pounds, Cox could easily make sense for a team looking for a corner or safety from the fifth round on. As a Southeastern Conference safety, especially an SEC West safety, Cox has faced off against some of the top offensive skill position talent in the country during his career with the Bulldogs. Last year Cox recorded 21 tackles, one interception and five passes defended for Mississippi State.
Cox was a top performer in the high jump, reaching 38 inches and the broad jump, hitting 10-feet, 9 inches. Cox’s 20-yard shuttle was in the top 10 and his 60-yard shuttle was the third best of the day.
And with that the combine wraps up. Up next for the prospects are their Pro Days and one-on-one workouts for interested teams.
