NFL Combine exclusive: Top 25 results of century

Two records were set in dramatic fashion and several prospects etched their names among the best performances of the century during the 2018 NFL Scouting combine, which wrapped up Monday in Indianapolis. Oklahoma cornerback Jordan Thomas erased the oldest record on the books with an amazing combination of quickness and lateral agility in the three-cone drill. His 6.28 clocking annihilated the previous record of 6.34 seconds set by Texas A&M cornerback Sedrick Curry in 2000. Curry's mark was not even previously threatened, with the next closest time coming in 2011 by Oregon wide receiver Jeff Maehl at 6.42 seconds. The most dramatic performances were by Central Florida outside linebacker Shaquem Griffin, who measured 6-foot-1 and 227 pounds. His 40-yard time of 4.38 seconds was called out by NFL Network's Rich Eisen as the best by a linebacker since 2003. More on that later. Griffin was followed closely throughout the combine because he does not have a left hand, the result of a birth defect and an ensuing amputation when he was 4-years old. Wearing a prosthetic left hand, he benched 225 pounds 20 times and also added a respectable broad jump of 9-feet, 9 inches. But wait, there's more. NFLDraftScout.com confirms that Griffin's time was not only the best by a linebacker since 2003, or the best of the century, but the fastest since we began keeping records in 1987. For the record, NFLDraftScout.com supplied draft information for NFL.com and the league in general for several years. NFL Network launched in November of 2003 and soon thereafter the league took draft coverage in house. Getting back to the record book, three cornerbacks wedged their way into the top 25 in the popular 40-yard dash, each with a timing of 4.32 seconds. They are LSU's Donte Jackson, who predicted he would beat the record, Tulane's Parry Nickerson and Ohio State's Denzel Ward. Although those are excellent times, and worthy of being listed, they were a full tenth of a second off of the 4.22-second mark set last year by Washington wide receiver John Ross. In the 10-yard time that is a split in the 40-yard dash, Ward made the All-Century list at 1.48 seconds and 6-2, 200-pound Penn State safety Troy Apke earned a spot with a 1.48 timing on his 40-yard run of 4.43 seconds. Apke received an inordinate amount of attention from NFL Network announcers Eisen and Deion Sanders, who bear-hugged the athlete after his 40-yard run, which some scouts claimed was probably faster. Apke also had a 41-inch vertical, a 131-inch broad jump, 6.56-second 3-cone drill and a 4.03-second shuttle. The vertical jump is considered perhaps the best single event with which to rate an athlete's innate ability, or at least explosion. Interestingly, no 2018 prospect cracked the top 25 of the century in the vertical. The combine record for the vertical is held by former North Carolina safety Gerald Sensabaugh, who soared 46 inches in 2005. To make the bottom of the top 25 would take something better than 42.5 inches, accomplished five times, including by former Nevada wide receiver Nate Burleson, whose leap was registered in the 2003 combine. He is now better known as a co-host on NFL Network's Good Morning Football. In the bench press, which requires 225 pounds to be hoisted as many times as possible, the 2011 record of 49 reps by former Oregon State defensive tackle Stephen Paea was not threatened. However, two made the list -- 42 by Stanford defensive tackle Harrison Phillips and 41 by Washington defensive tackle Vita Vea. Joining Thomas among the 3-cone bests were Pittsburgh cornerback Avonte Maddox and Penn State cornerback Grant Haley, each at 6.51 seconds. Nobody was expected to break the broad jump combine record -- make that world record -- of 12 feet, 3 inches by former Connecticut cornerback Byron Jones (2015). Still, Georgia State cornerback Chandon Sullivan was almost within a foot at 11 feet, 2 inches, and made the top 25 list. Below is an early list of the top 25 marks in each listed event, pending validation of all 2018 data. Not listed at this time are the 20-yard split or the 20-yard shuttle. Fastest 40-Yard Dash (ET-Electronic Times) 4.22 -- John Ross, (WR), Washington -- 2017 4.24 -- Chris Johnson, (RB), East Carolina -- 2008 4.26 -- Dri Archer, (WR), Kent State -- 2014 4.27 -- Marquise Goodwin, (WR), Texas -- 2013 4.28 -- Jacoby Ford, (WR), Clemson -- 2010 4.28 -- Jalen Myrick, (CB), Minnesota -- 2017 4.28 -- J.J. Nelson, (WR), Alabama-Birmingham -- 2015 4.30 -- Darrius Heyward-Bey, (WR), Maryland -- 2009 4.30 -- Triandos Luke, (WR), Alabama -- 2004 4.31 -- Trae Waynes, (CB), Michigan State -- 2015 4.31 -- Keith Marshall, (RB), Georgia -- 2016 4.31 -- Justin King, (CB), Penn State -- 2008 4.31 -- Tyvon Branch, (CB), Connecticut -- 2008 4.31 -- Carlos Francis, (WR), Texas Tech -- 2004 4.31 -- Curtis Samuel, (WR), Ohio State -- 2017 4.32 -- Orlando Scandrick, (CB), Boise State -- 2008 4.32 -- Johnathan Joseph, (CB), South Carolina -- 2006 4.32 -- Jerome Mathis, (WR), Hampton -- 2005 4.32 -- Will Fuller, (WR), Notre Dame -- 2016 4.32 -- Donte Jackson, (CB), LSU -- 2018 4.32 -- Parry Nickerson, (CB), Tulane -- 2018 4.32 -- Denzel Ward, (CB), Ohio State -- 2018 4.33 -- Phillip Dorsett, (WR), Miami (FL) -- 2015 4.33 -- Brandin Cooks, (WR), Oregon State -- 2014 Fastest 10-yard splits (40-yard dash) 1.40 -- Chris Johnson, (RB), East Carolina -- 2008 1.42 -- Chris Cole, (WR), Texas AM -- 2000 1.43 -- Lloyd Harrison, (CB), North Carolina State -- 2000 1.45 -- Terrell Thomas, (CB), Southern California -- 2008 1.46 -- Gary Guyton, (OLB), Georgia Tech -- 2008 1.46 -- Jonathan Wilhite, (CB), Auburn -- 2008 1.46 -- Colin Branch, (FS), Stanford -- 2003 1.46 -- Pat Lee, (CB), Colorado -- 2008 1.46 -- R. Jay Soward, (WR), Southern California -- 2000 1.46 -- Marcus Walker, (CB), Oklahoma -- 2008 1.47 -- Jonathan Jones, (CB), Auburn -- 2016 1.47 -- Justin Fargas, (RB), Southern California -- 2003 1.47 -- Tracy Porter, (CB), Indiana -- 2008 1.47 -- Marcus Howard, (OLB), Georgia -- 2008 1.47 -- Tim Jennings, (CB), Georgia -- 2006 1.47 -- Justin King, (CB), Penn State -- 2008 1.47 -- Kenny Phillips, (FS), Miami (FL) -- 2008 1.47 -- Orlando Scandrick, (CB), Boise State -- 2008 1.47 -- Tyvon Branch, (CB), Connecticut -- 2008 1.47 -- Jerious Norwood, (RB), Mississippi State -- 2006 1.48 -- Jonathan Zenon, (CB), LSU -- 2008 1.48 -- Jacoby Ford, (WR), Clemson -- 2010 1.48 -- Jalen Myrick, (CB), Minnesota -- 2017 1.48 -- Devin Thomas, (WR), Michigan State -- 2008 1.48 -- Jalen Parmele, (RB), Toledo -- 2008 #1.47 -- Denzel Ward, (CB), Ohio State -- 2018 #1.48 -- Troy Apke (S), Penn St. -- 2018 Highest Vertical Jump 46 -- Gerald Sensabaugh, (FS), North Carolina -- 2005 45 1/2 -- Cameron Wake, (OLB), Penn State -- 2005 45 -- Chris Chambers, (WR), Wisconsin -- 2001 45 -- Chris McKenzie, (CB), Arizona State -- 2005 45 -- Chris Conley, (WR), Georgia -- 2015 45 -- Donald Washington, (CB), Ohio State -- 2009 44 1/2 -- Byron Jones, (CB), Connecticut -- 2015 44 -- A.J. Jefferson, (CB), Fresno State -- 2010 44 -- Obi Melifonwu, (SS), Connecticut -- 2017 43 1/2 -- Dorin Dickerson, (TE), Pittsburgh -- 2010 43 1/2 -- Kevin Kasper, (WR), Iowa -- 2001 43 1/2 -- Kashif Moore, (WR), Connecticut -- 2012 43 1/2 -- Marcus Williams, (FS), Utah -- 2017 43 1/2 -- Dustin Fox, (FS), Ohio State -- 2005 43 1/2 -- Speedy Noil, (WR), Texas AM -- 2017 43 -- Eric Berry, (FS), Tennessee -- 2010 43 -- Christine Michael, (RB), Texas AM -- 2013 43 -- Darius Butler, (CB), Connecticut -- 2009 43 -- Cedric James, (WR), Texas Christian -- 2001 43 -- Scott Starks, (CB), Wisconsin -- 2005 42 1/2 -- Nate Burleson, (WR), Nevada -- 2003 42 1/2 -- Virgil Green, (TE), Nevada -- 2011 42 1/2 -- Jarett Dillard, (WR), Rice -- 2009 42 1/2 -- Brock Williams, (CB), Notre Dame -- 2001 42 1/2 -- Ameer Abdullah, (RB), Nebraska -- 2015 Most 225-pound Bench Reps 49 -- Stephen Paea, (DT), Oregon State -- 2011 45 -- Mike Kudla, (DE), Ohio State -- 2006 45 -- Leif Larsen, (DT), Texas-El Paso -- 2000 45 -- Mitch Petrus, (OG), Arkansas -- 2010 44 -- Jeff Owens, (DT), Georgia -- 2010 44 -- Brodrick Bunkley, (DT), Florida State -- 2006 44 -- Dontari Poe, (DT), Memphis -- 2012 43 -- Scott Young, (OG), Brigham Young -- 2005 42 -- Tank Tyler, (DT), North Carolina State -- 2007 #42 -- Harrison Phillips, (DT), Stanford -- 2018 42 -- Russell Bodine, (OG), North Carolina -- 2014 42 -- Isaac Sopoaga, (DT), Hawaii -- 2004 41 -- Terna Nande, (OLB), Miami (OH) -- 2006 41 -- Igor Olshansky, (DT), Oregon -- 2004 41 -- David Molk, (C), Michigan -- 2012 #41 -- Vita Vea, (DT), Washington -- 2018 40 -- Justin Blalock, (OG), Texas -- 2007 40 -- Manny Ramirez, (OG), Baylor -- 2007 39 -- Louis Vasquez, (OG), Texas Tech -- 2009 39 -- Linval Joseph, (DT), East Carolina -- 2010 38 -- Brandon Williams, (DT), Missouri Southern -- 2013 38 -- Margus Hunt, (DE), Southern Methodist -- 2013 38 -- Marvin Austin, (DT), North Carolina -- 2011 38 -- Russell Okung, (OT), Oklahoma State -- 2010 38 -- Tony Pashos, (OT), Illinois -- 2003 Quickest 3-Cone Drill Times #6.28 -- Jordan Thomas, (CB), Oklahoma -- 2018 6.34 -- Sedrick Curry, (CB), Texas AM -- 2000 6.42 -- Jeff Maehl, (WR), Oregon -- 2011 6.44 -- Buster Skrine, (CB), Chattanooga -- 2011 6.45 -- Scott Long, (WR), Louisville -- 2010 6.46 -- Dane Sanzenbacher, (WR), Ohio State -- 2011 6.47 -- Daniel Sorensen, (SS), Brigham Young -- 2014 6.48 -- Rogers Beckett, (FS), Marshall -- 2000 6.48 -- Terrence Toliver, (WR), Michigan State -- 2011 6.48 -- Carlos Rogers, (CB), Auburn -- 2005 6.49 -- Devon Cajuste, (WR), Stanford -- 2016 6.50 -- Chykie Brown, (CB), Texas -- 2011 6.50 -- Cecil Shorts, (WR), Missouri -- 2011 6.50 -- Chris Rainey, (RB), Florida -- 2012 6.50 -- Leon Hall, (CB), Michigan -- 2007 #6.51 -- Avonte Maddox, (CB), Pittsburgh -- 2018 6.51 -- Jon McGraw, (SS), Kansas State -- 2002 #6.51 -- Grant Haley, (CB), Penn State -- 2018 6.52 -- Will Davis, (CB), Utah State -- 2013 6.53 -- Damian Copeland, (WR), Louisville -- 2014 6.53 -- T.J. Moe, (WR), Missouri -- 2013 6.54 -- Anthony Gonzalez, (WR), Ohio State -- 2007 6.54 -- Trindon Holliday, (WR), LSU -- 2010 6.55 -- Shiloh Keo, (SS), Idaho -- 2011 6.55 -- Josh Robinson, (CB), Central Florida -- 2012 Longest Broad Jump 12'03" -- Byron Jones, (CB), Connecticut -- 2015 11'08" -- Obi Melifonwu, (SS), Connecticut -- 2017 11'07" -- Jamie Collins, (OLB), Southern Miss -- 2013 11'07" -- Chris Conley, (WR), Georgia -- 2015 11'06" -- Alvin Dupree, (DE), Kentucky -- 2015 11'05" -- Scott Starks, (CB), Wisconsin -- 2005 11'05" -- Justin Fargas, (RB), Southern California -- 2003 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 #11'04" -- Denzel Ward, (CB), Ohio State -- 2018 11'03" -- Fabian Moreau, (CB), UCLA -- 2017 11'03" -- Hilton Alexander, (WR), Morris Brown -- 2001 11'03" -- Boss Bailey, (OLB), Georgia -- 2003 11'03" -- Daniel Lasco, (RB), California -- 2016 11'03" -- Malachi Dupre, (WR), LSU -- 2017 11'03" -- Donald Washington, (CB), Ohio State -- 2009 11'03" -- Julio Jones, (WR), Alabama -- 2011 11'03" -- Jalen Ramsey, (FS), Florida State -- 2016 11'03" -- Robert Davis, (WR), Georgia State -- 2017 11'02" -- Lache Seastrunk, (RB), Baylor -- 2014 #11'02" -- Chandon Sullivan, (CB), Georgia State -- 2018 11'02" -- Bucky Hodges, (TE), Virginia Tech -- 2017 11'02" -- Earl Wolff, (SS), North Carolina State -- 2013