It’s hard to say if former UConn cornerback Byron Jones improved his NFL draft stock on Monday but he certainly made headlines at the NFL Combine. During testing at the Combine in Indianapolis, Jones set an NFL Combine record in the broad jump with a remarkable leap of 12 feet, 3 inches.
That’s a better jump that the official world record in that event. The world record has stood in track competition since Nov. 11, 1968. That’s when Norwegian Arne Tvervaag set the mark by jumping 3.71 meters (12 feet, 2 inches). Check out the video of Jones here.
Broad jumps in the 11 foot-plus range are a rarity at the Combine, according to long-time observers.
There’s a picture of Jones’ jump and a recap of the history of the event here on ESPN.com. In addition, USA Track and Field recognized Jones’ accomplishment on Twitter. The Associated Press focused its Combine story on Jones.
Former UConn defensive back Byron Jones (Ken Davis photo)
Jones, from New Britain, had his senior season cut short by a torn labrum in his left shoulder. He had surgery in late October and missed the remainder of the season. Jones also recorded an excellent vertical jump of 44.5 inches at the Combine.
UConn’s other representative at the Combine was wide receiver Geremy Davis, who was second among wide receivers in the bench press with 225 pounds at 23 repetitions.
Jones made 37 starts in 43 career games at UConn and started the first seven games of his senior season before having season-ending surgery. He had 223 career tackles with eight career interceptions.
Davis ended his career as the most prolific receiver in UConn’s FBS era and among the top-six in program history in receptions and receiving yards He caught a pass in every game he played, finishing his career with a reception in 36-straight contests dating back to 2011.
– Information from UConn sports information included in this report
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