On Sunday (March 3), the day before athletic testing for defensive backs at the 2019 NFL Combine, former University of Virginia safety Juan Thornhill wrote the following on Twitter: “Have to make them a believer!!!”
“Mission accomplished” is what the 2019 All-ACC First Team performer must be thinking right now. Thornhill enjoyed an outstanding Monday (March 4), the final day of the 2019 NFL Combine, with terrific showings in the vertical leap, the broad jump, and the 40-yard dash.
Thornhill’s big day began with a vertical leap that was a mere one-inch shy of tying a combine record.
OKAY. @Juan_Thornhill just jumped 44" in the vertical!
One inch shy of the Combine record 😱@UVAFootball | #NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/zLjWB4tHIl
— NFL (@NFL) March 4, 2019
Thornhill’s 44-inch jump led the entire combine field regardless of position, edging out wide receivers Miles Boykin (Notre Dame) and Emanuel Hall (Missouri), who each posted 43.5-inch verticals. The former Hoo also tied with Hall for the top broad jump (141 inches) among all performers.
Jumping out of the #NFLCombine.
After a 44" vertical, @Juan_Thornhill just put up a 11'9" broad jump! (t-longest of 2019)@UVAFootball pic.twitter.com/Zzh3RZCoXT
— NFL (@NFL) March 4, 2019
Thornhill capped off the testing portion of his combine experience with a 4.42-second time in the 40-yard dash. Eighteen players – eight wide receivers, eight defensive backs/safeties, a running back and an EDGE rusher – finished above Thornhill in the 40, while four more equaled his 4.42 mark.
(Note: Thornhill was timed unofficially at 4.43 seconds. His official time was 4.42. He only ran once, declining to run a second time due to injury.)
40-Yard Dash Time for @Juan_Thornhill
1st Attempt: 4.43
2nd Attempt: COMING UP📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork | #NewStandard ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/XWCoMswda1
— Virginia Football (@UVAFootball) March 4, 2019
Thornhill’s strength was on display on Sunday, when he finished second among all defensive backs (DBs and safeties) in the bench press, lifting 225 pounds 21 times. He measured in officially at 6’0”, 205 pounds.
Certainly, the Altavista (VA) native made some believers today.
How impressive was @Juan_Thornhill's day at #NFLCombine19?
🔥🔥🔥🔥
According to @ProFootballReference here's were Juan's marks rank vs. ALL DBs at Combine since 1980:
Broad jump (141 inches) – ties 2nd
Vertical jump (44 inches) – ties 4th
Bench press (21 reps) – ties 17th— Virginia Football (@UVAFootball) March 4, 2019
Twitter Reaction/Reports On Juan Thornhill At The 2019 NFL Combine
UVA head coach Bronco Mendenhall
That is the #NewStandard https://t.co/tsuGCg9KnQ
— Bronco Mendenhall (@UVACoachBronco) March 4, 2019
Matt Miller, who covers the NFL Draft for Bleacher Report …
Dude is just explosive. Can cover, play over the top. Really good looking Round 2 player. https://t.co/FkiUSddI9U
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) March 4, 2019
Jon Machota, who covers the Dallas Cowboys for the Dallas Morning News, reported on Sunday (March 3) that Thornhill was interviewed by the Cowboys.
Virginia safety Juan Thornhill has a meeting scheduled with the Cowboys tonight. "Dallas wouldn't be upset if they drafted me." Why? "I'm a ballhawk. I had 13 career interceptions, 6 interceptions this year. With a guy like me, you'll definitely get the ball back to the offense."
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) March 3, 2019
From the NFL Network via Virginia Football’s official Twitter account …
"When the ball is in the air I am planning to out jump the receiver and go get it." – @Juan_Thornhill
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork | #NewStandard ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/NrMoyN5zgh
— Virginia Football (@UVAFootball) March 4, 2019
Dion Caputi …
.@UVAFootball S Juan Thornhill (6'0" 205lbs.) posted freakish 44" vertical and 11'9" broad.
21 bench press reps too.
This is an alpha athlete who could comfortably dunk in HS basketball, while also featuring as an All-State two-way QB/DB at that level as well. ✅#NFLCombine
— Dion Caputi (@nfldraftupdate) March 4, 2019
Former UVA standout and current NFL DB Rodney McLeod
The kid @Juan_Thornhill is having a day! Respect game. #UVA #thatboygood
— Rodney McLeod (@Rodney_McLeod4) March 4, 2019
Former UVA teammate Jake Fieler
Anybody who’s been around @Juan_Thornhill is not surprised by his number in the combine. #FreakyAthletic https://t.co/e8b2JrGodD
— Jake Fieler (@jjfieler) March 4, 2019
Former UVA teammate Andre Levrone Jr.
RUN IT UP DENN JUAN!!! Boy been had the frogger bounce, this is nothing new…🐰😂
— Andre Levrone Jr. (@AndreTheeeGiant) March 4, 2019
Former UVA teammate Richard Burney
@Juan_Thornhill you gotta chill my guy 😩 https://t.co/qcPePc14mm
— richard burney (@BurneyRichard) March 4, 2019
Former Virginia Tech and current Pittsburgh Steelers DB Terrell Edmunds, who played against Thornhill in high school and in college
4️⃣3️⃣4️⃣🔥🔥 killed that jawn brudda @Juan_Thornhill https://t.co/vO9DELIkoV
— Terrell Edmunds (@rell_island6) March 4, 2019
