Seattle Seahawks

UConn DB Obi Melifonwu is the most athletic NFL Draft prospect you've never heard of

Published Mar. 6, 2017 1:49 p.m. ET

Cameron DaSilva

The NFL Scouting Combine is often called the “Underwear Olympics” – a time for prospects to showcase their athletic ability and speed. Many people tend to believe it’s overrated as it doesn’t reflect the true skill of a player, but for some, it’s a time to burst onto the scene and potentially vault their names into the first-round conversation.

That happened two years ago when UConn defensive back Byron Jones – current free safety of the Dallas Cowboys – blew up the Combine when he flew 12 feet, 3 inches in the broad jump. It wasn’t just a Combine record but a world record, too.

On Monday, another former UConn safety opened eyes with a spectacular performance. Obi Melifonwu, a 6-foot-4 safety, was a fringe first-round prospect, but his showing at the Combine may have bumped him into the first 32 picks. And yet, you’ve probably never heard of him. That will change after his day in Indianapolis.

For starters, he broad jumped 11 feet, 9 inches. It was the second-best number since 2003, behind only Jones.

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/838775690530967552

His 44-inch vertical was the best of anyone at the Combine this year and the third-best since 2006.

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/838780980173418500

As if his leaping ability weren't enough, Melifonwu blew everyone away with his 40-yard dash. He blazed to a remarkable 4.40-second 40, which was tied for the fifth best of any defensive back. Remember, he’s about 6-4, 224 pounds.

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/838801065663315968

It’s truly one of the best performances at the NFL Combine that we’ve seen in recent years, considering his size, speed and leaping ability. He may not be a lock to go in the first round, but Melifonwu may have helped himself more than any player in Indianapolis this weekend.

What his showing did do was create buzz that he may be a cornerback in the NFL. It’s rare for a corner to stand at 6-foot-4, but Brandon Browner did it and played at a very high level for the Seahawks.

Could Melifonwu make the transition to corner for a Cover 3 team? It’s certainly a possibility, and the Seahawks would be a perfect fit at the end of the first round. They have a clear need at corner with DeShawn Shead unlikely to be ready by Week 1.

The question now becomes will he even be available by the time Seattle goes on the clock?