Stephen Hill draft projection
Draft expert Mel Kiper thinks former Georgia Tech wide receiver Stephen Hill would have been better served staying in school, but gives him a chance to get into the third round of the NFL draft.
“He’s going to need a strong workout to be a guy that goes on Day 2,” said the ESPN analyst, referring to the second and third rounds of the draft. At worst, Hill would go between the fourth and seventh rounds, he added.
When Hill requested an evaluation from the NFL draft advisory board, he was told that he did not have the potential to be drafted in the first three rounds. Working to Hill’s benefit is that he has the capability to impress NFL scouts in a workout. As a high school senior at Miller Grove High, Hill set the state high school long jump record.
Kiper said he was surprised when Hill decided to leave Tech after his junior season shortly after the Yellow Jackets’ season ended because another year could have elevated him “maybe in the first-round discussion.”
“I thought staying at Georgia Tech would have been a benefit to him,” he said.
Among other Tech’s other draft-eligible players, including defensive linemen Jason Peters and Logan Walls, linebacker Steven Sylvester, A-back Roddy Jones, safety Rashaad Reid and wide receiver Tyler Melton, Kiper said he did not have any of them with a grade would ensure them being drafted.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
123 comments Add your comment
GT Fan
January 23rd, 2012
9:35 am
I wish him the best, but he’s going to feel like a fool if he doesn’t get the nod from a single team.
juvenal
January 23rd, 2012
9:40 am
get that education!
Techmate
January 23rd, 2012
9:45 am
I am sure he is a good kid. If he is not feeling the love right now on The Flats, it is probably because he has had an inconsistent career there. The one handed catch he made early in the season shows his potential. But is he mature enough mentally and emotionally for the next level? I wish him the very best.
pontevedrajacket
January 23rd, 2012
9:51 am
I guess Hill didn’t learn from Jerrard Tarrant’s experience. Didn’t Tarrant leave after his junior year and not get drafted? Cut by the NY Giants. He could’ve elevated his stock with a good senior season. These kids are so impatient.
gt4ever
January 23rd, 2012
9:57 am
The wheels are falling off at GT. I can’t really blame him for leaving…
J W
January 23rd, 2012
9:58 am
Well, anywhere between 3rd round and 7th round (or lower), , , Kiper really went out on a limb, didn’t he. And people rely on him as their “expert source”?!
Good luck, Stephen. But don’t forget to get that education! Of the names mentioned here, I think Jason Peters may have best chance of achieving good positioning and a solid pro-career.
George Stein
January 23rd, 2012
10:09 am
Yep, gt4ever. We should just completely stop playing the games.
FL Jacket
January 23rd, 2012
10:11 am
I think Stephen Hill will surprise many at the Combine with his mix of speed and athleticism. His toughness, willingness to block, and ability to make a highlight reel catch are all on tape. What will set him apart is his ability to run routes and adjust routes on the fly…luckily these are things that can be taught.
BigTimeTechFan
January 23rd, 2012
10:24 am
@FL Jacket
Agree, I say he moves up to late 2nd or 3rd round.
William Satterwhite
January 23rd, 2012
10:26 am
“Well, anywhere between 3rd round and 7th round (or lower), , , Kiper really went out on a limb, didn’t he. And people rely on him as their “expert source”?!”
Because all the NFL teams have different needs and different approaches to evaluating players, that’s about the most people like Kiper can say and keep any kind of credibility- Kiper can rank the players just based on pure talent, skill level and potential but once you get out of the first two rounds that matters less as teams start focusing on filling specific needs.
Personally, I’m not sure Hill could have benefited from another year in school. At this point, the primary knock on him is going to his hands and his route running and those are things he has a better chance of showing off at the combine and in workouts than he would another season at Tech- I love PJ’s offense but there just simply isn’t a large enough volume of throws or variety of routes for another season’s worth of tape to make much difference in evaluating him.
GT fan
January 23rd, 2012
10:38 am
Hill was a track star & triple jump champion in high school. Tons of supposed talent he was bringing to GT, yet we never saw it. Now he’s supposed to be a player at the highest level of football one could ever reach?
I hope I’m wrong, but I just don’t see it from Hill.
GTBob
January 23rd, 2012
10:43 am
I think Hill will get drafted in probably the 5th or 6th round. I don’t really see him having an NFL career though. Hopefully he proves me wrong.
FL Jacket
January 23rd, 2012
10:47 am
Expecting Stephen Hill to be drafted where BeyBey was drafted is not fair. Hill has a skinnier frame than what is considered “prototypical” WR size.
And since when was getting drafted in the 3rd round if the NFL draft considered bad??
yellow britches
January 23rd, 2012
10:56 am
Based on the NFL playoffs, it appears the running game is just about over. Short passes, crossing patterns, long ball threat has all but eclipsed the run. Hill should have stayed another year assuming he was making his grades but you have to wonder if he felt he was going to get better by staying with a scheme that essentially left him out in the cold. I just don’t have a warm and fuzzy about Tech football. Wish I could say otherwise.
Buzzer
January 23rd, 2012
10:57 am
Stephen needs to work on catching the ball. He makes tough catches and misses easy ones. NFL Teams don’t need receivers who can’t catch.
SansWorld
January 23rd, 2012
11:02 am
Satterwhite is right.
He potentially could put up bigger numbers and get some attention in 2012, but he really is not going to develop more as a receiver.
His fate will depend on how he does in the combine. Impossible to say where he will be drafted now. With his body he will at least get a spot on a practice squad, and potentially move up ala Joshua Nesbit.
I wish he would have stayed, because he was our sole big threat receiver and good have continued to improve is numbers.
SansWorld
January 23rd, 2012
11:06 am
He seems like a nice, if unfocused kid, Good luck to him at this point.
Buzzed
January 23rd, 2012
11:11 am
Satterwhite: I think Kiper’s main point is that Hill isn’t 1st or 2nd round. It’ll all depend on who wants to take a chance on a potential ‘project’. And how does anybody think a WR is going to get any better with one more year at a non-passing school? He might fill out more, but that’s about it (unless he also gets his degree). His high per-catch average is more due to the element of surprise than great pass-catching ability.
FootballNut
January 23rd, 2012
11:20 am
yellow britches said it in a nice way. Hill is thinking CPJ’s 80 year old offense scheme will most likely get him nowhere in another year. He might as well get out there and start trying now. If you watched any pro ball these past couple of weekends, the games were won by PASSING and KICKING. Neither of which CPJ thinks is important at all. How many games did we lose to passing and kicking. The answer is all our losses!
crackbaby
January 23rd, 2012
11:29 am
Good Luck to Stephen Hill.
Not getting drafted isn’t all that bad – he will be able to choose a team to tryout for as undrafted free agent. Teams will take a look at him. Hill will need to excel in camp to earn a roster spot but he could be a Marques Colston type success.
Ed
January 23rd, 2012
11:34 am
When he goes to camp and drops those passes right in his gut, it will be like a punch to the gut. I don’t see him going before round 4. Then you have to make the team that drafts you and 4-7 rounders are not top priorities. Now had he stayed one more year and made rounds 1-2, which was likely, he would have gotten some guaranteed money. He’s not guaranteed anything now and worst he threw away a free degree from a prestigious institution.
GIVE ME A BREAK
January 23rd, 2012
11:38 am
Looks like a big mistake. What’s the rush?
Seriously folks
January 23rd, 2012
11:40 am
If the NFL is your goal and there is a remote shot at being drafted or becoming a free agent its better to go and test the waters instead of trying to develop under this “1AA” staff.
Jay
January 23rd, 2012
11:40 am
Wrong he could have stayed and showed that he can catch the friggin ball.
“love PJ’s offense but there just simply isn’t a large enough volume of throws or variety of routes for another season’s worth of tape to make much difference in evaluating him”
that is pure bunk. look at the facts. gt receivers get just as many passes as a receiver at a school like uga because they throw to like 6-7 guys whereas gt throws the ball primarily to 2 players. there’s a reason why there’s no returning players with any catches. you actually do get balls thrown at gt. being able to catch them is another thing. in hills case it was both. he dropped too many and many were uncatchable. why leave with a new set of qb’s coming in? unless he feels it will be tevin again which i hope not. i can’t see how vad is not going to be better than him this year. tevin’s only good win is against clemson and even that looks so so now after how clemson played to end the season.
OldSchoolTechFanatic
January 23rd, 2012
11:41 am
He has got the size and the speed, but does he have the heart and the hands? Good luck !
Rick James
January 23rd, 2012
11:43 am
He will be fine..
Seriously folks
January 23rd, 2012
11:46 am
Jay, You should check stats , Hill had 28 receptions for the year, UGA had 3 receivers with 45 or more catches and another with 32. No WR don’t get the touches in PJ offense.Its the main reason he can’t recruit a WR .
sharecropper
January 23rd, 2012
11:48 am
Look, guys. It just turns out that what Stephen Hill wanted most out of school was him. It is no more complicated than that.
Uh, Ed...
January 23rd, 2012
11:50 am
…it is highly doubtful that Hill “threw away a free degree from a prestigious institution”…he was about to flunk out, anyway, from what I understand…
Jay
January 23rd, 2012
11:58 am
Seriously you obviously lack reading comprehension. since when is a pass a catch. i didn’t say Hill caught as many. I said it was THROWN his way as many times. All the passes hill dropped and ones he couldn’t catch–if you add those up, it is near what a uga receiver gets.
Hayseed Dixie
January 23rd, 2012
11:58 am
Most of you guys, like your wives, don’t actually watch football. You just emotionally respond to the score.
CPJs offense gets a receiver into man coverage quite often. He’s supposed to make the play at that point.
How often was Hill in those situations? How often did he convert those opportunities?
I know the answer, cause I actually watched the games.
Since you arent actually *watching* the game, some of you ladies need to get back in the kitchen and make me a sandwich.
sharecropper
January 23rd, 2012
11:58 am
Uh, Ed may have something though we will never know. What we do know is that he had academic issues last year and went to summer sessions to get his GPA up to compete. Some people are cut out for college, some aren’t. But the fact is the last we knew he was eligible. He just wants out.
PureEvil
January 23rd, 2012
12:02 pm
The wheels are falling off at GT.
How long have they been falling off???? GT has had similar outcomes to seasons for the past 15+ years.
Jay
January 23rd, 2012
12:03 pm
And to further my point, I would guess there was 1 drop by hill and 2 passes on average per game that were so badly thrown, no way he could catch them. 3 x 12= 36+ 28 64. Gt’s top two receivers, if they had a qb and can catch the ball, would get around 60 catches per year, which is significantly more than you would get at uga or another passing team. Put Vad in and let it rip.
Richard Hungwell
January 23rd, 2012
12:06 pm
Wish him good luck but it is really a dumb move for a wide receiver with pro aspirations to even consider Tech and fish faces offense!
William Satterwhite
January 23rd, 2012
12:09 pm
“gt receivers get just as many passes as a receiver at a school like uga because they throw to like 6-7 guys whereas gt throws the ball primarily to 2 players.”
Georgia Tech’s top 2 wide receivers combined for 45 receptions this past season- UGA’s top two wide receivers both had over 45 receptions each and UGA’s #3 wide receiver had more receptions than Hill (and that’s not counting the TE Orson Charles whose role in their offense would translate to a WR since PJ’s offense has no tight end- he also had 45 receptions by himself). Those are facts. But even if Tech wide receivers were to get as many passes as other non-option schools, the more important thing here are the actual routes being run and how they translate to the kind of routes NFL teams will want to see their receivers run- putting up gaudy numbers just running deep outs with an occasional screen pass is good enough to get a receiver’s name on the board and attract some hype but NFL teams are going to want to see more.
No one says GT doesn’t throw the ball enough for receivers to get enough attention to get drafted, that much is a given at this point. The question is, can a receiver actually show enough at GT to improve on his draft stock from one year to the next? When NFL scouts and talent evaluators say a receiver has to work on this or that, will another year in Paul Johnson’s offense actually provide the game tape to show those scouts that the receiver has indeed improved upon those areas?
Tech Fan Since 1950
January 23rd, 2012
12:11 pm
Come on guys in high school and college freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors at whatever school you are attending in college—-stay in school and get that degree unless you are a guaranteed first rounder. Be smart! Yes, I know many kids face family and financial pressures and they have to do what they think they have to do. BUT, be smart. That college degree and advanced degree means more every day, unless you have a special skill set designed for life and not just to make money five or six years.
HighTech
January 23rd, 2012
12:13 pm
I saw nothing but potential in Stephen Hill. I am sure he was more frustrated than we were at the dropped passes. Wish nothing but the best for Stephen Hill. It will be his opportunity to show what he can do at the combine.
SoCal_GT_Fan
January 23rd, 2012
12:15 pm
From a physical standpoint, Stephen Hill passes the test. He’s got the measurables that I think scouts and NFL staff would like (6′5″ 205 lbs, approx. per ramblin’ wreck.com). On tape they see a physical WR who is willing to block and does make some tough catches….. But also drops his share of passes as well. Scouts likely would like to see him add another 15 lbs to his frame..
So he would be considered “raw” or a “project”. But I think catching the ball can be taught and I’m sure someone out there will take a flier on him especially if he does well at the combine (not just at the physical tests like the 40 yard dash but also the passing test). Doubt he’ll find himself in the top 2 rounds with a slew of guys going this year who have resumes that look much better (blackmon, jeffery, Floyd).
A team like the Steelers or Ravens might like his set of skills since they both like to mainly run the ball and like to have their receivers block. He’ll still need to add more muscle and be more consistent in the passing game but he does have a very good chance of getting drafted no doubt. Always a team out there that thinks they can coach anyone up to be pro bowler and/or draft a player that passes the “eye” test and has the physical “measurables”. Textbook case => Mike Mamula.
SoCal_GT_Fan
January 23rd, 2012
12:16 pm
At any rate, Good luck Stephen Hill and make us GT alumni proud!!!!!!
William Satterwhite
January 23rd, 2012
12:21 pm
I wish the NCAA actually kept track of dropped passes like the NFL because I’d be interested to see if Hill actually did drop a disproportionate number of balls compared to other receiver prospects or if our vision of this is just clouded by the fact that he received relatively fewer opportunities to make plays.
buzzwax
January 23rd, 2012
12:24 pm
Hungwell – Bey Bey Thomas was the FIRST WR DRAFTED in 2010 out of GT’s offense because he had major skill AND learned how to BLOCK!! Between Nesbitt and Washington, GT’s offense has not had an accurate passer. WHEN this happens, WR in this offense will get PLENTY of opportunities to catch the ball and showcase their talent. Hill LED THE COUNTRY in yards per catch this year despite Tevin having a poor year throwing the ball and despite dropping several ‘easy’ balls.
Tevin may win the QB battle as a returning senior starter in 2012 but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Vad Lee push him. Vad Lee can THROW THE BALL. ALL GT recievers are going to look better in 2012 due to either an improved Tevin Washington or better thrower in Vad Lee PLUS an improved OL with all two deep but Phil Smith returning!!!
So, Hungwell, you don’t know what you are talking about!!!!
Birmingham Jackeet
January 23rd, 2012
12:26 pm
What an absolute joke.
He has about as much chance of going pro as Walls.
Jay
January 23rd, 2012
12:27 pm
William is another who can’t think logically. Add up SH’s catches, drops AND balls poorly thrown and they will come in right at the average a uga top receiver gets.
Outside Observer
January 23rd, 2012
12:30 pm
I agree with you SoCal, I think Stephen Hill will be drafted in the seventh round by a team that likes to run the ball, appreciates his athleticism, and wants to see if he can develop his catching ability and route running. I think he has the potential, but he needs to mentally get it together. He certainly has all the physical tools to be very successful.
Seriously folks
January 23rd, 2012
12:30 pm
Jay get real Pj offense will never have 2 receivers with 60 catchs , With D. Thomas is 09 they only completed 78 passes, PJ will never recruit a D Thomas caliber receiver.
Denny
January 23rd, 2012
12:33 pm
Heck he probably averaged two drops per game Jay.
slydog
January 23rd, 2012
12:35 pm
Stephen Hill has a draft projection? Really? All I can say is for every 10 Calvin Johnson’s there is at least one Victor Cruz and Marquis Colston. I wish him the best but let me tell you what I think. Mr. Hill feels like GT’s offense will only make his “stock” go down even further. All of a sudden whatever CPJ sold him about their passing game, he now knows it was hogwash and he’s nothing better than a decoy. On a side note, the one-on-one matchups this offense creates, Hill never took advantage of them like Bey Bey. Plus, the NFL “minimum” roster salary or the practice squad check is 7 x more than the average worker makes anyway. He can always go back to any school if things don’t work out. Can’t blame him for trying though.
Gorilla Biscuit
January 23rd, 2012
12:35 pm
Kiper looks like a third-string vampire.
Seriously folks
January 23rd, 2012
12:38 pm
Jay, to accomplish what you ask, Pj would have to have QB complete 71% of his passes, thats a huge jump form the 38% , 46 % and 49% averages over the past 3 seasons.Those are RG3 , Andrew Luck type % and there isn’t that type talent at tech at WR or QB nor will there be with PJ offense.
gtfanfrom1951
January 23rd, 2012
12:53 pm
stephen hill = drop passes enough said
William Satterwhite
January 23rd, 2012
12:53 pm
Jay, Georgia Tech only threw the ball 167 times period this past season, even in a fantasy world where Tech’s QBs could match the all-time single season record for passing percentage (76%) there are still “only” around 85-75 catches to divvy up between the two wide receivers when you consider that almost half of the passes (if not more) are also going out to the A-backs and B-backs. Yes, that could match UGA from last season but most passing games aren’t as dramatically balanced as UGA’s- most schools are actually like us and have one or two receivers who gobble up a vast majority of the balls thrown.
Ryan
January 23rd, 2012
12:55 pm
Number of times thrown to in 2011:
88 – Tavares King (UGA)
67 – Orson Charles (UGA)
61 – Malcolm Mitchell (UGA)
54 – Stephen Hill (GT)
49 – Michael Bennett (UGA)
29 – Marlon Brown (UGA)
26 – Chris Conley (UGA)
23 – Orwin Smith (GT)
23 – Roddy Jones (GT)
20 – Tyler Melton (GT)
GIVE ME A BREAK
January 23rd, 2012
12:56 pm
If GT ever gets a good QB & receiver combo then I think we’ll get to see how much CPJ really likes to throw the ball. Maybe this season. ” GO JACKETS “
reebok
January 23rd, 2012
12:57 pm
Stephen Hill leaving is a blessing for the Jackets. It gives the young receivers a chance to prove themselves. I’d much rather have a less-gifted guy who can actually catch the ball out there, rather than Stone Hands Hill…
GIVE ME A BREAK
January 23rd, 2012
12:59 pm
Balance the comments about UGA passing with the fact that UGA had trouble rushing and GT didn’t.
Stinger 2
January 23rd, 2012
1:02 pm
Maybe CPJ will finally realize he needs to add more passing to his offense if Vad Lee becomes the starter.
If this happens and if the receivers can do better at catching the ball, the offense might open up to the point that opposing defenses cannot not stack just for runs.
Ecconomics
January 23rd, 2012
1:04 pm
Stephen Hill gets drafted in the 5th round and makes a team, salary equals $390,000.00 at the least. How many of you stay in school bloggers will make that next year. Even if he doesn’t make a team, the practice squad will pay more than most of you will make in the next two years. While i do value an education, i also understand basic math. 390k is a lot greater than $0 if he stays at Tech. Draft status will not change, because he will be the primary reciever, even if he makes catches team will begin to double him then CPJ will go back to the running game. Worse case he doesn’t make the NFL, more than likely he can still return to tech for academics, or any other State College to finish school, even if it means getting student loans then joining the work force like you idiot bloggers. FOllow your dreams young MAN…
QB/DB
January 23rd, 2012
1:07 pm
Hill will surprise and be a good value, mark my word! What does a fourth round draft pick make anyway, around $350.000 a year. He was not going to make that at a job in this economy. Plus stubborn CPJ was never going to come off his ego and throw the ball more. I think Roddy and Melton will surprise given the chance.
Jacket Man
January 23rd, 2012
1:09 pm
None of you know Stephen’s personal situation, so you have no right to judge him. Mel Kiper has missed on several prospects in the past, so whose to say he may be wrong with Stephen as well? No one thought Tim Tebow would be drafted in the First Round; in fact, several so called experts (I believe Mel Kiper was one of them), had pushed him back to the Third Round.
All it takes is one team to like Stephen and pull the trigger.
Jay
January 23rd, 2012
1:15 pm
Seriously
You obviously know nothing about cpj or how to read seriously.
Look at some of the navy stats. D thomas had one of the worst passers ever in football history. That is why he hasn’t thrown much. Vad and the alabama transfer will show what this offense is capable of. 60 catches, yeah that’s a average of 5 per game. So high! A good passer who throws 15 times per game and complete 10 of them, well there you go. Yeah so impossible only to an ignorant mutt fan
yall keep harping on more passing
January 23rd, 2012
1:23 pm
anyone think that cpj is or chan gailey didnt try to get a better all purpose qb in place?
as far as overall ability
tevin washington / average in all respects / better passer than josh or reggie >josh nesbitt fair to good runner / tuff / erratic passer with no touch >reggie ball wasted talent / fair runner but slow / weak erratic arm / out of control person
we have brought in at least 2 qb with a 3d the kid from bama coning this year that are all better runners than the qb above. they may all be better passers as well. they are all faster than tevin josh or reggie. they are all major talents.
plus we have an ever improving tevin back he will never be a tracy ham but one can not admit that he isnt getting better each year. he is just not THEE guy
George Stein
January 23rd, 2012
1:33 pm
Let’s assume Kiper is correct that he may have been a first round pick in 2013. If that’s true, then I think a case can be made that Hill made the right call, as the guaranteed income for 1st rounders is not nearly has high with the new CBA. The other issue is that he’ll be a year closer to free agency, which is where the real money is made.
There are, of course, no guarantees that he’ll make a team, but I understand his thinking. If I were a GM and had a chance to get a player that might go in the first round next year in the 5th round this year, I’d see a lot of value there.
5150 UOAD
January 23rd, 2012
1:34 pm
Kick Butt Stephen. Good Luck. Come back and finish your degree.
Tech Fan Since 1950
January 23rd, 2012
1:35 pm
Yes “Ecconomics” once one learns to spell, $350,000 is a lot of money for one year. Of course there is an agent’s share and a few other zeros are taken off and then you have to know how to manage the money wisely. Hopefully you can hang around the NFL more than a year or two, but you still haven’t reached the million dollar range and you have no college degree to fall back on. Be nice if these kids were all great managers, but hopefully Stephen learned something in three years at Georgia Tech and he can take care of business. Seems like a lot of NFL players blow it and then fall off the financial cliff when an injury occurs or they get cut. Better to have plans A, B, and C than just plan A.
THE DUDE
January 23rd, 2012
1:36 pm
he did the right thing, come on what would pj do for him but let him block.
GT fan
January 23rd, 2012
1:45 pm
With the “ME” mentality that so many kids possess these days I could see PJ getting at least 1 decent WR every year. If the kid really is as good as he thinks he is, or as good as everyone in high school tells him he is, then why not come to GT, be the ONLY reliable passing target, and rack up BeBe-type 09 #s (46 rec, 1154 yds, 8 tds)?
If Hill was a sure-handed WR he probably gets 5-10 more receptions this season, and at a 29.1 per catch average, puts up another 150 – 300 yds & 4-5 more tds.
But tough to build any QB-WR rapport when PJ only throws the ball 8-12 times per game.
hal
January 23rd, 2012
1:50 pm
I’ll bet it’s pressure from people around him that have nothing to do with the team.
William Satterwhite
January 23rd, 2012
1:51 pm
“Look at some of the navy stats.”
2007- 136 total pass attempts
2006- 112 total pass attempts
2005- 147 total pass attempts (with a senior QB who is currently on our staff as a coach btw)
2004- 122 total pass attempts
2003- 156 total pass attempts
2002- 159 total pass attempts
OldSchoolTechFanatic
January 23rd, 2012
2:00 pm
I thank one thing wrong with GT football is going for the homerun pass. Navy use to hit for big gains and 15 to 20 yarders. The main thing is when you pass make it hurt and then the other team will respect the run but if you go for the homerun pass every time and only hi 1 out of 30 it means nothing!!!
Richard Hungwell
January 23rd, 2012
2:10 pm
buzzwax, Thomas was a Gailey recruit when they actually had a pro style offense. Gailey offense had a better chance of developing players for the pros. Under fish face no offensive players are being groomed for the next level, qb’s, wr’s, backs or linemen. If I am a offensive player looking to go pro why would I go to Tech?
Dawgwild
January 23rd, 2012
2:16 pm
I’m a dawg fan and I hope the kid gets drafted in the 1st 3 rounds. Just saying, don’t have to hate on each other all the time.
I get it...................
January 23rd, 2012
2:19 pm
and so does Hill. I would like one of you Tekies to explain exactly how staying another year will improve his game. If he has speed and jumping ability staying is not going to improve either skill. His route running most certainly will not improve (Tek doesn’t pass enough) nor will his pass catching abilities improve.
If Hill made a mistake it was when he signed with Tek. If he had any aspiration of playing at the next level he would have been better served in a different offensive system. Kids that have 5 star ability (Calvin & BeyBey) can over come the stigma of playing on a run first team lesser players are a crap shoot………..
GT
January 23rd, 2012
2:25 pm
He was not a go to guy by the end of this year. He could make the spectacular one handed catch and then drop a ball in full stride right in this bread basket. How fast is Hill? I don’t think he has the burning speed of Johnson or Thomas, but don’t know. He would do that end around thing and he just looked slower than needed to be to make that thing work.
William Casey
January 23rd, 2012
2:25 pm
There is nothing “wrong” about Stephen Hill’s decision per se. It all depends on the circumstances which nobody here (including me) “knows.” I would have preferred that he had stayed at GT because IMHO it would have helped the team. He played hard and was a “good kid” for three years. I thank him for that. However, although I wish him well, his future earnings are not my concern. That is my bias. As for the money, $350,000 is very nice. It is important to remember, though, that making $350-500K for the average NFL career of four years does not set one for life. It’s a nice start, though. The only athletic advantage of staying at GT might be improving perception of his value and getting more money up front by putting on 15 pounds of muscle and making ALL the catches in 2012. Yeah, I know about the “Combine.” Doing it in games is a whole ‘nother thing. ECONOMIST is probably right ASSUMING wise money management.
I get it...................
January 23rd, 2012
2:36 pm
Mel Kiper is a bigger tool than 5150 UOAD and GT Bob combined……………..
Go get’em Hill – you can do it. .
wreckmaniac
January 23rd, 2012
2:45 pm
Hill does have great skills but he still needs to learn how to catch. Another year at Tech would be very good for him
Ted M
January 23rd, 2012
3:04 pm
He won’t get drafted.
Old Gold Britches
January 23rd, 2012
3:12 pm
Stephen Hill dream your dream and make it become a reality…………best of luck.
Pete Rozell
January 23rd, 2012
3:23 pm
When I looked at the kids stats, I said “nice game”.. I said, no sir, those are my career stats.
foothills
January 23rd, 2012
3:25 pm
Personally think Roddy Jones should begin a career in public service with an eye toward the Ga. senate or house. Don’t know if he had engineering major but the kid’s a bridge-builder, something we could use in public office.
girl knows better than Mel
January 23rd, 2012
3:26 pm
he will go in the 3rd round, wish he had stayed at Tech..Mel Kiper expert my ____
HighTech
January 23rd, 2012
3:33 pm
Gorilla Biscuit
January 23rd, 2012
12:35 pm
Kiper looks like a third-string vampire.
——————————————————-
I’ve thought the same thing. lol.
steel eye
January 23rd, 2012
3:35 pm
I seriously doubt that Hill can make an NFL roster. WR’s at the pro level have to be able to block downfield and Hill can’t block a door.
carlton
January 23rd, 2012
3:37 pm
seems possible that the answer is he’s lost interest in school (near being ineligible). He didn’t think he was going to improve, bcs. he might not playing for reasons other than injury or coach’s decision.
foothills
January 23rd, 2012
3:40 pm
Oh…about S. Hill. If he “shows out” @ the combine who knows. Yeah, he dropped ALOT of balls but he also had a couple of Calvin moments as well (North Carolina game). He has the blocking ability, size, and speed the NFL covets and as someone said earlier IF he can go in the third it will be almost as good as lower 1st money next year. Go for it.
fan
January 23rd, 2012
3:45 pm
If you actually care what that blow-hard Kiper thinks or says you seriously need to get a life.
Hamad Meander
January 23rd, 2012
3:55 pm
Wrong. Stephen Hill probably wouldn’t benefit from another year on Grant Field. The dude caught only 28 passes, but turned in 820 yards and 5 TDs. He isn’t coming back to catch 55 balls, 1,400 yards and 12 TDs. That’s not how their offense works.
He is listed at 6-5, 200 lbs, and runs a 4.5 or 4.6 40. For that alone, he’ll get drafted in the top 4 rounds. Minimum wage in the NFL is $400,000. That’s a lot of money for a 21 year old. Maybe he feels he needs to cash in now. Hopefully he has his Tech degree nearly finished up.
Gator
January 23rd, 2012
3:59 pm
I will pull for him but would be shocked if he plays in the NFL
JFKDawg
January 23rd, 2012
4:11 pm
Uh, Mel. Have you seen the passing attack at Georgia Tech? Neither has anyone else. I can’t imagine why a decent WR would go to Tech in the first place. And if you think he’s graduating with a degree other than Physical Plant Sciences, you are fooling yourself.
Seriously folks
January 23rd, 2012
4:11 pm
Jay, another one with courage hiding behind the keyboard. Which of these outstanding receivers will be catching these yet to be thrown passes from freshman QB’s. jay your a little prick. lets look at some navy stats ooooooh navy Pj threw the ball all over the yard there. not. What a dumbass.,
Pine sitter
January 23rd, 2012
4:12 pm
who plays reveiver and go’s to GT anyway. ANy NFL team looking for a receiver should not be looking at GT.
R.J.
January 23rd, 2012
4:13 pm
Greed makes people do stupid things to include entering into the draft too early…
Noneya
January 23rd, 2012
4:17 pm
Come back to Tech and do what? Block? Who is going to throw him the ball next season?
Johnny DangerDawg
January 23rd, 2012
4:34 pm
Here’s what Stephen Hill said about GT on Signing Day 2009:
” I really like the atmosphere, the ACADEMICS and the coaches. I plan on getting my DEGREE and becoming one of the best wide receivers in the school’s history.”
Just like most football players, this guy says he cares about academics; then he bolts as soon as possible for the NFL.
I get it ..... also!
January 23rd, 2012
4:41 pm
Who can blame him? What has he got to look forward to by coming back? Having 1 or 2 passes thrown to him per game? Another loss to UGA? Another bowl loss? From what I’ve seen, he has talent. Anyway, I wish him the best!
GTfan2012
January 23rd, 2012
4:43 pm
Pine Sitter,
Except that guy named Bey-Bey Thomas, but other than him, NFL teams shouldn’t look at GT for WR. Oh, and that guy named Calvin Johnson, the best WR in the NFL. But other than him, GT can’t turn out WRs.
Wait so GT has two 1st round WR in the NFL in the past 5 years? Crazy. And you know what. Hill will be drafted pretty high (first 4 rounds) as well, just based on his athleticism. So maybe it doesn’t matter where you go to school or what offense you are in. If the NFL scouts think you are talented, you will be drafted.
GTVegas
January 23rd, 2012
4:51 pm
I wish him the best of luck.
It’s a personal decision and I don’t pretend to know his situation.
Again, best of luck to him and I hope he gets his degree eventually.
@GTfan2012
January 23rd, 2012
4:55 pm
Calvin ,Didn’t play for PJ. Thomas wasn’t recruited by PJ. Thomas was a freak athletically, Hill isn’t.
Hill will be picked up as a free agent,If he were to transfer he would be a project at the D-1 level for any program that has a passing attack(Pj offense doesn’t have a passing attack they have a throwing attack) .On the professional level he is a big time project.Not Hills fault, product of the system.
I get it ..... also!
January 23rd, 2012
4:59 pm
@GTfan2012 – You are absolutely right about the NFL. Jay Cutler went to Vanderbilt, and there have been a ton of players that made it to the NFL from division 2 schools. I just don’t understand why a wide receiver would be attracted to a school that runs the ball 95% of the time. I’m not bashing Tech, or Johnson. Tech is a great school, and I believe Johnson is a very good coach. I just don’t see Tech’s offense as attractive to a wide receiver, other than the good chance of being open, because the other teams defense won’t be looking for the pass. Don’t see it as a good fit for a passing QB either.
ozzfest
January 23rd, 2012
5:19 pm
FREE DEGREE FROM TECH AND A $100K+ SALARY OR A LONGSHOT TO MAKE $575K FOR MAYBE FOUR YEARS.
DUMB MOVE LEAVING A SCHOOL LIKE TECH.
GO DOGS.
growing older, but not up
January 23rd, 2012
5:25 pm
Hill was always good in practice. Maybe he’ll impress at the combine…
I'll alert the Media
January 23rd, 2012
5:52 pm
Tech has a D1 football team ?
Reddawg 73
January 23rd, 2012
5:56 pm
You cannot always believe what Mel Kiper says. Did he ever play a down of football? This is the same guy that told everyone that Derrick Brooks of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was going to be a bust, especially being picked in the first round. All he did was make pro bowl after pro bowl and changed the game at the position of outside linebacker. So you never know, Hill may be another Victor Cruz.
steven A.
January 23rd, 2012
6:49 pm
Gorilla Biscuit
January 23rd, 2012
12:35 pm
Kiper looks like a third-string vampire.
Ditto.
Grinch
January 23rd, 2012
7:17 pm
you can have size, speed, ability to run amazing, sharp cutting routs, and can jump to the moon…but if you can’t catch a ball…it’s all a moot point. Hill can’t catch an open pass. Maybe if they design routs in double coverage against the sideline, he might have a chance. But wide open?? FORGETABOUTIT!
dekalb fan
January 23rd, 2012
7:23 pm
READ:
Stephen Hill
Georgia Tech
Ht. 6-5 Wt. 206
Strengths: Stephen Hill may be the ultimate upside/high ceiling guy at the position. He’s got the size and athletic ability to be special. He’s a playmaker that can make circus catches (see viral youtube video on sideline route). His ability to go up and grab the ball at the highest point is bordering on unreal. He has good speed for his size but not great straight line speed. Athletic ability is through the roof and can run after the catch. Most impressive is what he can with the ball in space for his size. He’s a guy that you throw it out to and watch him work. Averaged over 30 yards/catch this season in limited targets and has good hands.
Weaknesses: The Georgia Tech offense isn’t exactly conducive to producing NFL receivers although two top receivers have come out of that program in the last four years (Calvin Johnson ’07 and Demaryius Thomas ’10). He will need time to develop into an NFL route runner and may be further behind than Thomas was at this stage of his career. He doesn’t have elite speed but it’s good enough considering his frame. Just doesn’t have the reps or production to warrant a top pick.
Bottom Line: Hill has one the highest ceilings of this deep WR class. Georgia Tech has produced a couple good ones lately in Calvin Johnson and Demaryius Thomas. Hill is much closer to Thomas than Johnson and I don’t think he’s as refined as Thomas at similar stages in their career. He’s an impressive athlete that makes big plays in limited opportunities.
Draft Projection: Stephen Hill is probably a third round pick at this point but he could rise to the second round come April.
Paul in NH
January 23rd, 2012
8:23 pm
slydog
January 23rd, 2012
12:35 pm
All I can say is for every 10 Calvin Johnson’s there is at least one Victor Cruz and Marquis Colston
—–
No doubt about that – guys who lead the league in receiving yards and TDs while double teamed on every play are everywhere. No team in the NFL would take Calvin Johnson over Victor Cruz or Marquis Colston
WnE
January 23rd, 2012
8:39 pm
If Hill is 6-5 with 39-40in vertical, and runs a sub-4.5 forty, and CPJ cannot get him ready for the NFL in 3 yrs. then CPJ has the wrong WR-coach on his staff, and IF that’s the case then we might not see very many good WRs Recruits choose GT in the future.
IMO CPJ is the “Wizard of Oz” of College Coaches, he has this aura and mystery that surrounds him as this so-called Offensive Genius, but once Recruits actually get to GT, they find out that they’ll spend their College Careers diving at kneecaps, and doing other things that won’t help them get to the “next level” and realize THEIR DREAMS, and then when they actually “go behind the curtain” and see what CPJ is really all about, they try to get away from GT/CPJ as fast as they can, EVEN IF THEY DON’T PROJECT TO GO HIGH IN THE NFL DRAFT.
The reason they do this, is that they might as well “start their NFL Clock” as soon as possible since one more yr. of diving at kneecaps and having the QB ATTEMPT 13-passes per game won’t raise their draft position anyway.
Do you honestly think that “smoke-routes” and jump-ball passing plays will improve S. Hill’s draft chances if he were to stay one more yr.?
Also, please STOP VILIFYING young men that want to try the NFL, if an engineering major that went to GT that didn’t play sports wanted to realize his dreams by going to Grad School or getting hired at a particular Tech. Company, no one would say anything, but anytime an ATHLETE wants to realize his dream they get unfairly accused of being “me-first” guys or thugs, or whatever negative comment is in vogue for that day.
CPJ makes $2.5 mil per yr., a SMALL part of his job should be to develop his players in their sport, and if he does that properly then SOME should have good shot at the NFL, if CPJ can realize his FINANCIAL DREAMS then guys like S. Hill should have a CHANCE to realize theirs.
Really?
January 23rd, 2012
8:43 pm
Obviously Hill knows the trade school is facing more ncaa problems.
WnE
January 23rd, 2012
8:44 pm
S. Hill and his Father KNOW that Coach Kung Fu Panda won’t develop him with another year in his gimmicky Offense.
Another year of “smoke routes” and Jump ball passes won’t do anything for S. Hill’s NFL aspirations, the way Hill & his Father see things it is better to get PAID to learn to be a better WR as Free Agent or mid-to-late Round draft pick rather than WASTING their time (1 more yr.) with Coach Fish Fry’s gimmicky Offense.
S. Hill & his Father have looked behind the Curtain and they KNOW that the “Wizard of Offense” isn’t all he’s cracked up to be.
Basically S. Hill is telling the WORLD that CPJ cannot do a darn thing for HIM WRT improving HIS chances for the NFL.
That is quite an indictment coming from one of CPJ’s own hand-picked Recruits!
Paul in NH
January 23rd, 2012
9:27 pm
“Basically S. Hill is telling the WORLD that CPJ cannot do a darn thing for HIM WRT improving HIS chances for the NFL.”
Using WnE’s criteria, by coming out as a JR Rennie Curran told the WORLD that CMR couldn’t do a damn thing for HIM WRT improving his chances for the NFL.
Rennie Curran is now out of football.
Laughable
January 23rd, 2012
10:00 pm
Let’s get this straight. Tech fans are talking about how he should stay and get his wonderful GT degree, but the rumors are that he was having academic issues. Anybody on here check his major? Of course not! Tech fans want everyone to believe that their athletes are all going to be engineers. NOT! Stephen Hill, Sociology major. Are you people serious? What a joke.
WnE
January 24th, 2012
1:32 am
re:
Paul in NH
January 23rd, 2012
9:27 pm
“Basically S. Hill is telling the WORLD that CPJ cannot do a darn thing for HIM WRT improving HIS chances for the NFL.”
Using WnE’s criteria, by coming out as a JR Rennie Curran told the WORLD that CMR couldn’t do a damn thing for HIM WRT improving his chances for the NFL.
Rennie Curran is now out of football.
___________________
You’re always angling for a “gotcha moment” to try and prove Ol’ Wrecks is wrong about something.
But using Rennie Curran is a bad example:
He was Drafted in the 3rd round
He was 5-11
He was playing for Willie Martinez
He didn’t fit in CTG’s 3-4 Defense EVEN if he had stayed around that long
Even if he did come back to school, as a 5-11 LB a 3rd round draft slot is probably the best he could do anyway, for those that know anything about the NFL they should KNOW that 5-11 LBs don’t become 1st rounders by coming back to school for 1 more year, 1 more yr. at UGA wasn’t going to make Curran grow to be 6-4..
Rennie Curran the 5-11 LB that isn’t cut out for a new DCs scheme that goes in the 3rd round after his Jr. year IS NOTHING LIKE the S. Hill situation.
If S. Hill were coming back to an Okie State type of Offense then he might have something to show the NFL scouts, but coming back for “smoke routes, jump-ball-passes, and kneecap diving blocks” will DO NOTHING to improve his NFL draft status.
And please don’t play the Bey-Bey Thomas card, he was 6-3 235lb coming our of GT and ran a 4.38 forty, he was drafted for being the RAW PHYSICAL SPECIMEN that he is, IN SPITE OF PLAYING FOR CPJ.
Please don’t be like the delusional segment of the GT fanbase that thinks that Bey-Bey Thomas got drafted so high because CPJ “taught him how to block”.
You should have learned by now that trying to get a “gotcha moment” in on me, is like trying to sneak daybreak past a rooster.
WnE
January 24th, 2012
1:38 am
I like wongs shoved in my pie hole
WnE
January 24th, 2012
1:40 am
Big black wongs inserted daily. I love big thick physical specimens probing me.
Corny Hull
January 24th, 2012
6:46 am
As for Hill, one doesn’t just start catching virtually all passes thrown to him just beccause he decides to go to a combine workout. The pro scouts saw what he did in actual games. One can be an Olympic high jumper and a 100 m champion, but if one seemingly drops more passes than catches, what’s the point in his being consideredan effective receiver in the NFL.
IL Jacket
January 24th, 2012
10:15 am
@Really?, did your investigation ever turn up who photoshopped that screen shot from the Outback Bowl of the Georgia fan holding up the “GO DWAGS” sign? Oh wait, you said it was an LSU fan at the SECCG holding up the sign right? How is the investigation going?
Man, you have no credibility-you should be taking a very long timeout. I will credit you though, at least you didn’t hide behind a new screen name. Not that anyone will steal yours now.
kc
January 24th, 2012
2:55 pm
“Ramblin’ On with Chris Boggs »
A Final Ramblin’ for 2010? ”
Why is this link/blog still on the ajc website? 2010? Really?
Tekman
January 24th, 2012
3:28 pm
Keep up the great off season work Jackets we know 2012 will be strong. At least we are not bit__ slapping girlfriends!!
fuzzybee
January 24th, 2012
3:32 pm
Stephen Hill has height, speed, quickness, and
HANDS OF STONE.
reggie ball
January 24th, 2012
11:32 pm
hill can’t catch any better than i can throw!
NC Jacket
January 25th, 2012
10:22 am
Why does everyone on here assume these guys are leaving early because they want to? They are leaving early because they have run out of academic grace. They can’t stay in school because they can’t keep up academically.