Best Safety Vertical Jumps (NFL Combine All-Time)
I’ve always loved the NFL Combine. A one-week event where some of the best athletes in the world compete in a series of physical challenges. It’s like an Olympic decathlon, but for college football players.
When I train players for the combine, one of the things we always do is look at previous years’ results to see how we stack up. It is a great tool for goal-setting and motivation.
This guide is simply me sharing this information with you. I went through all the previous NFL Combines to find the best Safety Vertical Jumps of all time.
Note: These are the official NFL Combine times from NFL.com. Some resources online will also include pro-day numbers, but because there are so many other variables with pro-day numbers I’ve stuck strictly to the official results from Indianapolis.
Note (2): It’s a little tough finding some of the older data on safeties at the Combine. Not sure if it’s because all defensive backs were grouped together or if it’s something else. I’ll continue to update this page as I get more info.
Best Safety Vertical Jumps of All-Time
| Best S Vertical Jumps in NFL Combine History | |||
| Player | School | Height | Year |
| Juan Thornhill | Virginia | 44″ | 2019 |
| Obi Melifonwu | Connecticut | 44″ | 2017 |
| Jartavius Martin | Illinois | 44″ | 2023 |
| Marcus Williams | Utah | 43.5″ | 2017 |
| Jason Taylor II | Oklahoma State | 43″ | 2023 |
| Kyle Dugger | Lenoir Rhyne | 42″ | 2020 |
| Marvell Tell | USC | 42″ | 2019 |
| Terrell Edmunds | Virginia Tech | 41.5″ | 2018 |
| Joshua Kalu | Nebraska | 41.5″ | 2018 |
| Jeremy Chinn | Southern Illinois | 41″ | 2020 |
| L’Jarius Sneed | Louisiana Tech | 41″ | 2020 |
| Troy Apke | Penn State | 41″ | 2018 |
| Gerald Alexander | Boise State | 41″ | 2007 |
Year By Year Top Safety Vertical Numbers
Here is a breakdown of the top 5 Vertical Jumps from each year going back to 2013. In addition to the top 5 each year, I’ve also included any safety that jumped 40″ or higher.
Related –> NFL Combine Averages By Position at 2023 NFL Combine
2023
| Best CB Vertical Jumps at NFL Combine 2023 | |||
| Player | School | Height | Year |
| Jartavius Martin | Illinois | 44″ | 2023 |
| Jason Taylor II | Oklahoma State | 43″ | 2023 |
| Sydney Brown | Illinois | 40.5″ | 2023 |
| Chamarri Conner | Virginia Tech | 40.5″ | 2023 |
| Daniel Scott | California | 39.5″ | 2023 |
Related –> NFL Combine Averages By Position at 2022 NFL Combine
2022
| Best CB Vertical Jumps at NFL Combine 2022 | |||
| Player | School | Height | Year |
| JT Woods | Baylor | 39.5″ | 2022 |
| Kerby Joseph | Illinois | 38.5″ | 2022 |
| Kyle Hamilton | Notre Dame | 38″ | 2022 |
| Nick Cross | Maryland | 37″ | 2022 |
| Dane Belton | Iowa | 36.5″ | 2022 |
| Markquese Bell | Florida A&M | 36.5″ | 2022 |
| Lewis Cine | Georgia | 36.5″ | 2022 |
2020
| Best CB Vertical Jumps at NFL Combine 2020 | |||
| Player | School | Height | Year |
| Kyle Dugger | Lenoir Rhyne | 42″ | 2020 |
| Jeremy Chinn | Southern Illinois | 41″ | 2020 |
| L’Jarius Sneed | Louisiana Tech | 41″ | 2020 |
| K’Von Wallace | Clemson | 38″ | 2020 |
| Daniel Thomas | Auburn | 37″ | 2020 |
2019
| Best CB Vertical Jumps at NFL Combine 2019 | |||
| Player | School | Height | Year |
| Juan Thornhill | Virginia | 44″ | 2019 |
| Marvell Tell | USC | 42″ | 2019 |
| Darnell Savage | Maryland | 39.5″ | 2019 |
| Sheldrick Redwine | Miami | 39″ | 2019 |
| Amani Hooker | Iowa | 37″ | 2019 |
2018
| Best CB Vertical Jumps at NFL Combine 2018 | |||
| Player | School | Height | Year |
| Terrell Edmunds | Virginia Tech | 41.5″ | 2018 |
| Joshua Kalu | Nebraska | 41.5″ | 2018 |
| Troy Apke | Penn State | 41″ | 2018 |
| Siran Neal | Jacksonville State | 40.5″ | 2018 |
| Derwin James | Florida State | 40″ | 2018 |
2017
| Best CB Vertical Jumps at NFL Combine 2017 | |||
| Player | School | Height | Year |
| Obi Melifonwu | Connecticut | 44″ | 2017 |
| Marcus Williams | Utah | 43.5″ | 2017 |
| Josh Jones | NC State | 37.5″ | 2017 |
| Rayshawn Jenkins | Miami | 37″ | 2017 |
| John Johnson | Boston College | 37″ | 2017 |
2016
| Best CB Vertical Jumps at NFL Combine 2016 | |||
| Player | School | Height | Year |
| Jalen Ramsey | Florida State | 36″ | 2016 |
| DeAndre Elliott | Colorado State | 33″ | 2016 |
| Eric Murray | Minnesota | 32.5″ | 2016 |
| Vernon Hargreaves III | Florida | 31.5″ | 2016 |
2015
| Best CB Vertical Jumps at NFL Combine 2015 | |||
| Player | School | Height | Year |
| 2015 | |||
| 2015 | |||
| 2015 | |||
| 2015 | |||
| 2015 | |||
2014
| Best CB Vertical Jumps at NFL Combine 2014 | |||
| Player | School | Height | Year |
| 2014 | |||
| 2014 | |||
| 2014 | |||
| 2014 | |||
| 2014 | |||
2013
| Best CB Vertical Jumps at NFL Combine 2013 | |||
| Player | School | Height | Year |
| 2013 | |||
| 2013 | |||
| 2013 | |||
| 2013 | |||
| 2013 | |||
Final Thoughts
Keep in mind that not everyone that gets invited to the NFL Combine actually jumps (although verticals along with running the 40 and broad jumps are still heavily participated in by most positions). So, some players that potentially could put up a big jump don’t have an official number on the record.
One thing every guy is almost guaranteed to get put on record? Their height and weight.
Finally, don’t forget that there are many players each year that would have put up big numbers that don’t receive an NFL Combine invite. I’ve been at many pro days where some of the numbers our guys put up would have been top 5 or even top 3 at the combine that year.
Featured Image Photo Credit: Alena Veasey / Shutterstock.com
