Highly-rated NFL prospect Anthony Richardson set new records for jumps vertical and wide for a quarterback in this year’s scouting mix, just over a month before he learned his fate on draft night.
The 21-year-old, who spent three years playing at the University of Florida, excelled at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, posting a jump of 10 feet 9 inches and a vertical leap of 40.5 inches.
Both are considered new combined records for a quarterback, going back to at least 2003. Richardson also ran the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds, which is the fourth-fastest time at the combine for a quarterback since 2003.
The previous record for a quarterback in the vertical jump was set by Josh Portis (40.0 inches), who finished his career at the University of California, Pennsylvania, in 2011, and the overall record is 45.0 inches.
Richardson, who is 6-foot-4 and 244 pounds, surpassed the standards of his idol, Cam Newton, who vaulted 10 feet, 6 inches wide and 35 inches tall at the 2011 combine.
Anthony Richardson set new records for vertical and broad jumps for a quarterback at this year’s combine
The 21-year-old posted a wide jump of 10 feet nine inches and a vertical jump of 40.5 inches.
The 33-year-old man’s 13-year-old results rank in the 97th and 86th percentile, respectively, according to mockdraftable.com.
That didn’t matter to Richardson, though, who called himself “Cam Jackson” during his junior year of high school as a testimonial to the great Panthers and Baltimore Ravens field general Lamar Jackson.
“Growing up, it was always Cam Newton for me,” Richardson said. “But then when I got to high school, seeing how dynamic Lamar was, I tried to implement those two guys into my life. I just try to make big plays.
In his three years playing for the Gators, Richardson made 13 career starts, throwing 393 passes, with 24 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He also rushed for 1,116 yards and 12 touchdowns, though many NFL front office executives are wary of the Florida native’s lack of experience at the college level, which could work against him come draft night.
Richardson, however, doesn’t seem concerned and rejects the “project tag” tag that has dogged him since he declared himself a draft pick in January.
“I don’t even know what that means, ‘project label,'” the 21-year-old said. ‘But I’m willing to bring anything and everything you need from me. I will work hard.
I will dedicate myself to my trade. And I’m just going to be a leader in that organization. So it just grows and continues to grow.’
The ideal situation for Richardson is to be drafted by a team that already has a veteran quarterback on its books and who he can learn from on the sidelines and in practice without necessarily starting him too often.
That strategy has worked well over the past decade, with the Kansas City Chiefs starting Patrick Mahomes in his second NFL season and the Packers giving Jordan Love plenty of time to learn from Aaron Rodgers.
Richardson topped Cam Newton’s combined benchmark of 2011. The Panthers big jumped over a 10-foot, six-inch wide, 35-inch vertical.
Richardson could land in Baltimore and learn from his other idol, Lamar Jackson, with the Ravens in possession of the 23rd pick in this year’s draft.
Potential destinations for Richardson on draft night include the Seattle Seahawks (#5 and #20 picks, Panthers (#9) and Detroit Lion (#18). Also, quarterback prospect Field could even end up learning from Jackson – his idol – in Baltimore, since the Ravens have the 23rd pick in the draft.
Richardson also reportedly met with the New York Giants (No. 25).
“I can do everything on the field: run people over, jump over people, pass people, throw the ball pretty well,” Richardson said. “Just putting it all together, I feel like that helps me become a better quarterback.”
“I want to be a legend,” he added later.
‘I want to be like Patrick Mahomes. I want to be like Tom Brady. I want to be one of the greats. I will be one of the greats, because I am willing to work that hard and get to that point. And so I feel like I’m going to be one of the greats in the next few years.