Former FSU Football Wide Receiver Sets Two NFL Combine Records
There were a lot of freak athletes on display at the NFL Combine last week. That included multiple former Florida State stars as five Seminoles (Braden Fiske, Trey Benson, Jared Verse, Jaheim Bell, and Jarrian Jones) ranked in the top 5 or better for their respective position groups in the 40-yard dash.
While he didn't run as fast as some of the other wide receivers in the upcoming draft, Johnny Wilson blew scouts and fans away after recording a 4.52-second time at 6-foot-6 3/8 inches and 231 pounds. Wilson ended up setting two measurement records during his time in Indianapolis.
Wilson officially became the tallest wide receiver to participate at the combine while recording the longest wingspan ever (84.5 inches) of any prospect at his position. New York Giants Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller held the previous height record after coming in at 6-foot-6, 238 pounds at the 2015 NFL Combine.
Waller was slightly faster than Wilson in the 40-yard dash (4.46 seconds to 4.52 seconds). At the same time, Wilson tied him in the vertical jump (37 inches) while notching a faster 10-yard split (1.55 seconds to 1.57 seconds) and 20-yard shuttle (4.11 seconds to 4.25 seconds) and a longer broad jump (10'8" to 10'5"). He also had larger hands (10 inches to 9 inches) and longer arms (35 3/8 inches to 33 1/4 inches) than Waller.
It's important to note that Waller was eventually moved to tight end after beginning his professional career. Wilson said during the combine that no team he's had discussions with has pitched a position change to him. That shouldn't be an issue for any franchise evaluating him at this point after a 20-yard shuttle that ranked fourth among wide receivers. Plus, Wilson had a promising showing during the on-field drills where he showed off his catch radius while doing a good job of hanging on to the football.
Wilson did just about everything he could do to boost his stock in a draft that is littered with talent at wide receiver. It feels like he's in the range to go off the board in the top 100 and maybe even higher if a team falls in love with his mix of size, skills, and athleticism.
Coming out of the combine, the Seminoles could see as many as six former standouts selected by the conclusion of the second day of the draft.
READ MORE: FSU Football's Trey Benson Formally Meets with Dallas Cowboys At NFL Combine
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