After already tying for the fastest 40-yard dash time at this year's NFL Scouting Combine, Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward leaped to the top of the leaderboard in the broad jump, proving himself as one of the elite athletes in this year's NFL draft class with a jump of 11 feet, 4 inches.
Ward is one of just 10 NFL Scouting Combine participants since 2008 with an 11-foot-4 broad jump or better.
The combine-best broad jump came after Ward ran a 4.32-second 40-yard dash, both of which came in spite of Ward tweaking his ankle last week, which he told NFL Network's Kimberly Jones was why he did not participate in positional drills on Monday.
In addition to being the longest broad jump at this year's combine, Ward's broad jump is also the best on record for an Ohio State player at the combine, besting the previous top mark of 11 feet, 3 inches by Buckeye cornerback Donald Washington in 2009.
| Player | Year | Position | Broad Jump |
|---|---|---|---|
| DENZEL WARD | 2018 | CB | 11 feet, 4 inches |
| DONALD WASHINGTON | 2009 | CB | 11 feet, 3 inches |
| DARRON LEE | 2016 | LB | 11 feet, 1 inch |
| DONTE WHITNER | 2006 | S | 11 feet |
| MARSHON LATTIMORE | 2017 | CB | 11 feet |
| RYAN SHAZIER | 2014 | LB | 10 feet, 10 inches |
| GAREON CONLEY | 2017 | CB | 10 feet, 9 inches |
| BEANIE WELLS | 2009 | RB | 10 feet, 8 inches |
| CHIMDI CHEKWA | 2011 | CB | 10 feet, 6 inches |
| MICHAEL THOMAS | 2016 | WR | 10 feet, 6 inches |
| JEROME BAKER | 2018 | LB | 10 feet, 6 inches |
In addition to his 40 time and broad jump, Ward also recorded a vertical jump of 39 inches. As a result, Ward's pledge drive for donations to a scholarship fund in his late father's name – which was tied into his vertical jump result – raised more than $6,000.
By showing spectacular speed and leaping ability on Monday, Ward might have cemented his status as the No. 1 cornerback, and potentially a top-10 overall pick, in the 2018 NFL draft.
