Top five NFL combine vertical jump performances by Ohio State players all time
The 2022 NFL scouting combine took place in Indianapolis, Indiana, and it always provides a unique, stress-inducing showcase for future NFL players. The combine is typically the most important part of the pre-draft process for many NFL prospects and serves as the most important job interview these young men may have in their lives.
Any seasoned NFL scout will tell you the combine is not the end all be all and is just a part of the process, but fans love the idea of the underwear Olympics and seeing some of these freak athletes accomplish insane feats in the bench press, shuttle run, 40-yard dash, vertical jump, and broad jump.
The following are the top five vertical jump performances by former Ohio State football players. We are only tracking numbers from the NFL scouting combine and not from pro days and only numbers since the NFL scouting combine moved to Indianapolis in 1987.
More Buckeye best NFL combine performances: Bench Press, Shuttle, 40-Yard Dash.
*THIS YEAR’S PERFORMANCES WILL NOT BE INCLUDED
Four tied at 40-inches
Jan. 2, 2006; Tempe, AZ USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker (47) A.J. Hawk talks with Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback (10) Brady Quinn following the Fiesta Bowl. Ohio State won 34-20. Credit: Photo By Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports Copyright (c) 2006 Matt Cashore
The Buckeyes have four former players that tied at an impressive 40-inches with A.J. Hawk, Donte Whitner, and Nate Salley accomplishing this in 2006 and Parris Campbell hitting that mark in 2019. Hawk was selected fifth overall by the Green Bay Packers, Whitner was selected eight overall by the Buffalo Bills, Nate Salley was drafted in the fourth round by the Carolina Panthers and Campbell was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round.
A.J. Hawk is the one combine performance that always blows my mind. Those numbers are all better than Devin White's pic.twitter.com/Eb3LZHjAgz
— Mike Renner (@PFF_Mike) February 20, 2020
Jeff Okudah, 41-inches
Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Jeff Okudah celebrates a third-down stop during the second quarter of the NCAA football game against the Wisconsin Badgers. Credit: USA TODAY Sports Network
Jeff Okudah was an elite corner at Ohio State being named an All-American and All-Big Ten in 2019 before showing off his athleticism at the Combine -with a 41-inch vertical jump. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions with the third overall selection.
Highest NFL Combine SPARQ CBs:
1. Jeff Okudah, Ohio State
2. Harrison Hand, Temple
3. CJ Henderson, Florida
4. Kindle Vildor, Georgia Southern
5. Reggie Robinson II, Tulsa— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) March 4, 2020
Ryan Shazier, 42-inches
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Ryan Shazier (2) pressures Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Danny Etling (5) during the third quarter of the NCAA football game at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. on Nov. 2, 2013. Etling threw an incompletion on the play. (Adam Cairns / The Columbus Dispatch)
Ryan Shazier is another elite athlete who was an All-American and two-time All-Big Ten during his time at Ohio State. He dominated at the combine with a 42-inch vertical jump and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 15th overall selection.
Ryan Shazier's 42" vertical is the best so far of the entire NFL Combine.
— Tony Gerdeman (@TonyGerdeman) February 24, 2014
Dustin Fox. 43.5-inches
Nov 20, 2004; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes #37 Dustin Fox and #42 Bobby Carpenter tackle Michigan Wolverines #15 Steve Breaston in the third quarter at Ohio Stadium. Buckeyes beat the Wolverines 37-21. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports (©) Copyright 2004
Dustin Fox started all four years at Ohio State and was a crucial part of the 2003 BCS national championship squad. Fox was an uber athlete as evidenced by the 43.5-inch vertical jump that helped get him drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the third round.
COMBINE
Dustin Fox (FS – 2005)
College: Ohio State
5 feet 11.0 inches, 191 pounds
40yd: 4.43s
Vertical: 43.5in
Bench: 7 repsPick # 16 in round 3#NFL #Buckeyes pic.twitter.com/dadZOGoXk0
— NFL Data Bot (@NFLDataBot) March 5, 2022
Donald Washington, 45-inches
Sep 20, 2008; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Donald Washington (20) in action against the Troy Trojans at Ohio Stadium. The Buckeyes beat the Trojans 28-10. Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Donald Washington had a solid career at Ohio State and elected to declare early for the NFL Draft. He blew up at the combine with the highest vertical jump mark in Ohio State history at 45-inches and was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round.
The best vertical at the NFL Combine since 2006 is 45" by former Buckeye Donald Washington in 2009.
— Tony Gerdeman (@TonyGerdeman) February 24, 2014
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