Jamie Collins probably made a nice chunk of change for himself after Monday’s workout at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis.
The former Franklin County standout, who starred at Southern Miss for the past four years, made a name for himself and broke records in the process Monday, which should only help his draft stock. NFL owners, coaches and scouts in attendance were pleasantly surprised by Collins’ explosive skills as he set a combine record with his broad jump.
“That was the plan — to have a good workout,” Collins said. “I’ve been training good at API in Gulf Breeze, Fla., for the combine, and I’m going back to work on getting better for my Pro Day.”
The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Quentin community native put on an amazing show at the scouting combine with some unreal numbers.
He started off the day by recording a 4.64 in the 40-yard dash, which was among one of the best times at the linebacker position.
Immediately after making a good first impression, Collins nearly leaped out of the building with his broad jump of 11 feet, 7 inches. The broad jump set a combine record, a mark previously held by Detroit All-Pro wide receiver Calvin Johnson.
“I was just trying to do my best at each drill,” Collins said. “We were supposed to do the vertical right after the broad jump but we ended up running the 40 and cone drills, and we did the vert last.”
Despite waiting and having tired legs, Collins showed off his explosive lower-body power one last time in the vertical jump when he leaped 411/2 inches. Although it was just shy of the combine record, the mark is the best by any linebacker in the history of the combine.
His wingspan (arm-length) of 333/4 inches was the best among linebackers at the event. He also posted a time of 7.10 seconds in the 3-cone drill, fifth-best among linebackers.
What many NFL teams found out about Collins and his skills in Indianapolis this week, many in Franklin County already knew.
“He’s amazing,” said Rickey O’Quinn, who coached Collins in football and basketball at Franklin County from 2006-09. “I’m not surprised he did what he did up there. He’s that type of athlete. He’s a freak.”
He’ll have to show off the same skill sets at his Pro Day on March 8 at USM.
