Byron Jones made waves with his 12-3 broad jump Monday at the NFL Combine. (Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports)
University of Connecticut defensive back Byron Jones highlighted Monday’s final workouts at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis with a standing broad jump of 12-feet-3 inches that is not only the best ever at a combine, but a world record.
The previous world record for the broad jump was 12-2, set Nov. 11, 1968 by Norwegian Arne Tvervaag of the Ringerike FIK Sportclub.
Jones’ leap gave this year’s combine three of the four longest jumps at the NFL’s annual Indianapolis event this century, according to records kept by NFLDraftScout.com.
On Saturday, Georgia wide receiver Chris Conley went 11-7, which tied the previous combine record set in 2013 by Southern Mississippi linebacker Jamie Collins. Sunday Kentucky defensive end Alvin Dupree soared 11-6.
Jones also soared 44 1/2 inches in the vertical jump, a mark that is seventh best since 2000 according to NFLDraftScout.com. That record is still held by former North Carolina safety Gerald Sensabaugh, who leapt 46 inches at the 2005 NFL Combine.
Jones injured his left shoulder in October, ending his second season as a starting cornerback after starting at safety in 2011 and 2012. At the time of the injury Jones had 24 tackles, two interceptions and four pass breakups. He returned one interception 70 yards for a touchdown.
Going into the combine, the 6-foot-1, 199-pound Jones was projected as a sixth-round prospect, listed as the 31st of 232 cornerbacks rated by NFLDraftScout.com.
Longest combine broad jumps since 2000
Source: NFLDraftScout.com
12’03” – Byron Jones (DB), U. of Connecticut – 2015
11’07” – Jamie Collins, (OLB), Southern Miss – 2013
11’07” – Chris Conley, (WR), Georgia – 2015
11’06” – Alvin Dupree, (DE), Kentucky – 2015
11’05” – Justin Fargas, (RB), Southern Cal – 2003
11’05” – Scott Starks, (CB), Wisconsin – 2005
11’04” – Terence Newman, (CB), Kansas State – 2003
11’04” – *Justin Hunter, (WR), Tennessee – 2013
11’04” – Chris McKenzie, (CB), Arizona State – 2005
11’04” – Jerome Simpson, (WR), Coastal Carolina – 2008
11’03” – Boss Bailey, (OLB), Georgia – 2003
11’03” – Hilton Alexander, (WR), Morris Brown – 2001
11’03” – *Donald Washington, (CB), Ohio State – 2009
11’03” – *Julio Jones, (WR), Alabama – 2011
11’02” – Earl Wolff, (SS), North Carolina State – 2013
11’02” – Anthony Alridge, (RB), Houston – 2008
11’02” – Dekoda Watson, (OLB), Florida State – 2010
11’02” – Jonathan Carter, (WR), Troy – 2001
11’02” – Chris Chambers, (WR), Wisconsin – 2001
11’02” – Cedric James, (WR), TCU – 2001
11’02” – *Lache Seastrunk, (RB), Baylor – 2014
11’02” – Darius Butler, (CB), Connecticut – 2009
11’02” – Carl Stewart, (FB), Auburn – 2008
11’02” – *Eric Reid, (FS), LSU – 2013
11’01” – Pierre Desir, (CB), Lindenwood – 2014
11’01” – *Stephen Hill, (WR), Georgia Tech – 2012
