Stephen Hill invited to NFL combine
Former Georgia Tech wide receiver Stephen Hill is one of 47 wide receivers who has received an invitation to the NFL scouting combine, to take place Feb. 22-28 in Indianapolis.
The NFL released the list Tuesday. Hill, the only former Tech player to make the 327-player invite list, declared himself an early-entry candidate for the draft Jan. 5. His invitation to the combine is hardly a guarantee that he’ll get drafted; annually, players who aren’t invited to the combine get drafted and players who do get invited get passed up in the draft. However, it is certainly an indication that NFL scouts see him as a draftable player.
The draft website nfldraftscout.com ranks Hill as the No. 7 wide receiver in the draft and projects him as a second-round selection. ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. said that Hill would have to impress at the combine to get into the third round.
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116 comments Add your comment
Turnt_UP!
February 7th, 2012
7:13 pm
@Beer Stein – why do you, and others like you act as if the scheme that a player plays within in college determines the amount of talent you have? Are you insisting that if Calvin played in triple option in college, he would not be as skilled as he is today? The pro set he ran in didn’ make him fast, tall, or make his quick in-air reactions to the ball. Bay Bay played in the triple option, and he went 1st round. Talent is talent people!
GSUStud
February 7th, 2012
7:16 pm
I am not shocked that Tech only had one invited to the combine, I am more shocked that they had anyone invited. I mean Tech? Really?
Ghosts of the Plain
February 7th, 2012
7:30 pm
Turnt up, No but it taught him how to properly run routes and better prepared him for the profesional game. Thomas went in the 1st round on 6-3 235lb 4.4 forty.Thomas also was at Tech when gailey roan a pro style attack for 2 years.
FL Jacket
February 7th, 2012
7:39 pm
Ghosts of the Plain…
You can teach anyone to run a route. Then again…you can’t. The NFL draft is littered with the David Terrell’s, Charles Rogers’, and Mike Williams’ who had the protoypical size and speed (and in some cases hands) to be studs…but ended up duds.
While I agree reps in a system are important…I would say fairly certainly that given the complex schemes in the NFL that include zone-read recognition, route adjustments, and other nuances…NFL coaches probably get these WR picks acclimated to an NFL scheme in OTA’s way more than they ever could in the college schemes and limited practice time.
Stephen Hill will get taken more for his athleticism, upside, ability to make the big catch…and yes his blocking ability will matter.
Golden White
February 7th, 2012
7:46 pm
Too many people think that SH needs one more year at Tech to improve his catching skills.
Me, I’m glad he’s gone. He can learn to catch the ball on someone else’s dime. Stephen Hill will be the most easily replaced player on the GT squad and this time next year you will be thanking your lucky stars that he left when he did.
Ghosts of the Plain
February 7th, 2012
8:00 pm
Fl Jacket, The NFL would prefer receivers who have been in schemes where they have to done the very things you mention for 3 years. Stephan Hill is years behind the curve to receivers who’ve been in a more complex systems.Dwyer is a very good example of a player that suffered from playing in a limited offense. Pittsburgh coaches said they had to basically reteach him the RB position.There are many aspects of offensive football that aren’t covered in a service academy offense. I don’t doubt Hill will be given a shot drafted or not, his size and speed will get him the look.
Rick James
February 7th, 2012
8:08 pm
I think Stephen will be fine.When Danny Ware left Georgia early a few years ago people thought he was crazy.But to his defense Knowshon Mareno,Thomas Brown and Kregg Lumpkin all would have been playing in front of him..Sunday night he got his second super bowl.The good thing for Stephen is not being highly touted decreases his chance of going to a bad team that needs to throw him right into the fire..
BS Patrol
February 7th, 2012
8:12 pm
In addition to easily catchable drops I saw way too many passes he did not want or try to catch. You do not want to see that. He must be an awesome blocker.
Stephen Hill invited to NFL combine – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) | Football News Pro
February 7th, 2012
8:14 pm
[...] Stephen Hill invited to NFL combineAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Former Georgia Tech wide receiver Stephen Hill is one of 47 wide receivers who has received an invitation to the NFL scouting combine, to take place Feb. 22-28 in Indianapolis. The NFL released the list Tuesday. Hill, the only former Tech player to …NFL combine: Cal, Stanford each have six players invitedSan Jose Mercury NewsSeven Penn State players invited to NFL combinePhiladelphia Inquirer (blog)NFL Draft Combine 2012: Florida State Football Will Be Represented By Six PlayersSB NationCBS Local -Los Angeles Timesall 125 news articles » [...]
Ghosts of the Plain
February 7th, 2012
8:21 pm
I certainly believe S. Hill had nothing to gain (from a nfl draft perspective)by staying at Tech.
FL Jacket
February 7th, 2012
8:26 pm
Ghosts of the Plain…
Let me shatter some misconceptions for you…did you ever hear about the OTHER Adrian Peterson? He was CPJ’s B-Back at Georgia Southern and despite whatever limitations you think a “service academy” offense places on a RB…he had a pretty long and productive NFL career.
Second, you don’t think Tim Tebow, Cam Newton, or soon to be RG3 have to re-learn their positions after coming from single pass read option offenses? The first 2 have had success…and I’m sure RG3’s success will have less to do with what he learned…than how athletic and intelligent he is.
Jon Dwyer wasn’t drafted late because of the offense he ran in. He was drafted late because he had questions about a failed drug test and some lingering injuries limiting the NFL scouts ability to work him out.
Delbert D.
February 7th, 2012
8:41 pm
Tech had only 2 senior starters on offense, WR Melton and AB Jones, plus WR Hill leaving early. There are 3 that are likely to be senior starters on offense for 2012: QB Washington, AB Smith and OG Uzzi.
Tech had 4 senior starters on defense: DE Peters, NT Walls, LB Sylvester and S Reid. Tech projects to have only 3 starting seniors on defense in 2012: They are NT Barnes, DE Cross and CB Sweeting. If Burnett can recover from his serious injury, that would be 4.
BS Patrol
February 7th, 2012
9:18 pm
A GSU Stud? haw! Give me a break
wreckmaniac
February 7th, 2012
9:41 pm
How can anyone say that Hill “has great hands” ? Maybe he can feed himself but he can’t catch. If he is on the roster of any NFL team in Nov I’ll be shocked.
wreckmaniac
February 7th, 2012
9:42 pm
Hill had no reason to stay at Tech because he has nothing to offer Tech.
Delbert D.
February 7th, 2012
9:54 pm
Some people will be shocked to learn that 2011 Tech grad and wide receiver Kevin Cone was placed on the Falcons active roster for the playoff game. He was on the team for his blocking prowess. Tyler Melton is the same type player (outstanding blocker), but with 17 receptions this year compared to Cone’s 5 in 2010.
FL Jacket
February 7th, 2012
9:59 pm
Wreckmaniac…
2 of our biggest plays this year were Hill’s one-handed grab vs. UNC where he skyed for the ball on the sideline and plucked it down with one hand. The other was his one-handed dive down the field against Clemson where he outjumped the Safety (who got called for a PI too) and came down with it all in a single one-handed motion.
The guy can catch. Like Roddy White…he gets the yips. Many WRs do.
14 GT
February 7th, 2012
10:08 pm
Enter your comments here
Ghosts of the Plain
February 7th, 2012
10:14 pm
Fl. jacket, the other Adrian Peterson, 1260 yards total in His long illustrious NFL career was spent mostly playing special teams… Nope.Tim Tebow Seriously? Seen his passer ratings? Cam Newton physical freak, RG3 Elite athlete, anybody like that ever play for PJ or in a service academy offense?I see all the elite high school players are lining up beating down the door to play in this offense.
FL Jacket
February 7th, 2012
10:45 pm
Like Vad Lee and Justin Thomas?
UGABob
February 7th, 2012
10:53 pm
With Tevin throwing to him,,,cough cough…good decision…good move!
yeller bug
February 7th, 2012
10:59 pm
Does anyone know the primary reason for Hill leaving? Was it grades, greed, goofiness or what? I think TW will start, but Vad may get some significant playing time. Days also seemed to have a good arm—what 5 for 8, so if Hill had stayed and if our team does well, he could get some extra visibility as our feature receiver that should have raised his prospects for the NFL—being a contrary “spirit” to Ghost’s comments above. You can’t coach speed or athletic ability–SH has those—his heart, commitment and technique may not be there which that can change with proper mentoring. If there were not some other driving factors, I think he should have stayed another year. Since it’s too late for late—best of luck to him.
UGABob
February 7th, 2012
11:02 pm
tevin’s arm, yeller bug!
yeller bug
February 7th, 2012
11:13 pm
Ah but UGA Bob, …consider it all joy my brethren when you encounter trials, for by testing of your faith will produce patience.” It’s a God thing for SH to have the patience to wait for one of Tevin’s “floaters” to finally get to him. Although Tevin pales in comparison to the moon ball that Melton threw in the GT-UGA game.
hugedawgfan
February 7th, 2012
11:38 pm
Calvin Johnson’s problem against UGA his senior yr, Stinger 2, was not a dropped ball but a DB named Oliver. Still gives Megatron nightmares!!!!! Keep trying, boys!
UGABob
February 7th, 2012
11:38 pm
Great attitude yeller bug…unlike like my malcontent pal GTBob!!! Nice to read fine prose on a blog!
Boys High Techster
February 7th, 2012
11:42 pm
hugedawgfan-Calvin didn’t have any problem that Reggie Ball couldn’t cure.
Ghosts of the Plain
February 8th, 2012
12:12 am
Fl. Jacket, Shatter misconceptions? How about you awakening from Southern conference la la land. The other Adrian Peterson and his illustrious NFL career.LOL. You name 2 potential players out of 5 years of offensive recruiting .Thomas will probably regret not listening to coaches far more knowledgeable and successful than pJ if he has pro aspirations. Lee has yet to throw a pass .That service academy offense is like a Venus fly trap for elite skill players.
Best thing S. Hill did was declaring for the draft , he obviously wasn’t at Tech for the degree and the offense wasn’t going to help his cause.
FL Jacket
February 8th, 2012
7:10 am
Ghosts of the Plain…lookup what a venus fly trap is and laugh at yourself
JaAnder
February 8th, 2012
7:49 am
I’ m a die -hard Georgia fan, but I really hope this kid can show a lot to the NFL scouts. It would be nice to see a team take a chance on him, and he turns out to be a “sleeper” that surprises.
Best of luck to Mr.Hill and hope you represent yourself and Georgia Tech admirably in the combines.
BigIrishMike
February 8th, 2012
8:26 am
He has size and the speed to do well that said remember the game NCState I think it was where he dropped the ball as he was 30 yards ahead of everybody and that TD catch would of made that game out of reach instead of a nailbiter. The part I really didnt like is after the drop he limps off like he pulled his hamie..A real hardnose player makes the catch then limps..But much to his credit he returned and made another catch showing his grit. I wish he was staying but he probably will make the NFL and further frustrate Tech fans with Johnsons inability to win 10 to 11 games with the talent he gets. Tech football = alcohol sales remaining steady.
old tech grad
February 8th, 2012
8:54 am
1st round, 2nd round, you have got to be kidding – he made a lot of highlight catches but one of those almost guaranteed a drop on the next pass
Bust
February 8th, 2012
9:37 am
AJ Green had more receptions during his freshmen year than Hill did his entire Tech career. I do not blame him for getting the heck out of Dodge before the Johnson ship is completely sunk but he will have a huge uphill battle.
Old Blind Dawg
February 8th, 2012
9:40 am
Hill has “Taxi Squad” stamped on his forehead. After a little scrubbing that will change to “Special Team-er” and then he will be an NFL footnote. I hope he gets his degree.
what a shame
February 8th, 2012
9:40 am
Yet another wasted talent that will not even graduate. Tek is a cesspool.
HighTech
February 8th, 2012
10:25 am
Mel Kiper Jr. looks like a third string vampire.
Credit to Gorilla Biscuit.
That still cracks me up.
Carlson
February 8th, 2012
10:33 am
Congratulations to Stephen Hill. Getting the combine invite is what 99% of players can only dream about. Hope he is enormously successful and comes back to finish up a college degree after nfl. Big decision for a 21 year old and he probably thought it best to take a shot at it. I enjoyed watching him play at Tech- good luck to the young man.
George Stein
February 8th, 2012
11:03 am
Keeps improving, Ghosts. Thanks.
GTfan1
February 8th, 2012
11:32 am
4.25 40 time? Where are you getting these ridiculous stats???
GTfan1
February 8th, 2012
11:35 am
Ken, any news about Julian Burnett?
SoCal_GT_Fan
February 8th, 2012
12:07 pm
From what I’ve read so far on the net and from what the “experts” are saying, Stephen Hill is likely to be drafted. Might be in the 2nd round might be in the 7th round, who knows. He will have to improve his hands if he ever wants to see the field as a receiver but he has the blocking skills that a lot of receivers who come from the spread offenses do not have.
Also, if he does get drafted, his chances of surviving the cuts greatly increase (especially if he is drafted in the first 4 rounds) since the team that drafted him invested a pick on him and would like to work with him more closely than say a undrafted free agent. He just needs to work hard, study hard, and show the coaches that he can improve. Plus, be willing to play special teams or anything else the team asks him to do.
Hopefully he does well at the combine and gets drafted high. Perhaps this will allow future recruits to see that receivers from a triple-option offense do get drafted.
Mr. Wolverine
February 8th, 2012
12:12 pm
His true talents were not exposed at Tech, because of its run savy offense. Here is the tale of the tape on him… 6-foot-5 Frame, 4.4 40 yard dash, 45′ inch vertical. He had the nation’s top long jump as a senior in high school, alos won a state championship in basketball. In addition, he was the anchor of a 4×100 team that broke a 15 year record held by SWD, that had one future silver medalist on the team (Angelo Taylor).
Since, this is a weak WR draft, I think he could go secord or third round, which will probably work him into a starting lineup. Heck, I hope my Eagles draft him!!! Steve will be fine because he will finally have a “true” wide receiver coach.. One thing for certain, he can run block.. LOL..
GT Gilbert
February 8th, 2012
12:25 pm
I enjoy the open space at our home football games. It gives me and my friends more area for our halftime fantasy medieval warcraft roleplaying exhibitions. They are a section 227 favorite!!!
A free hotdog, coke, and a stop at the D&D store after the game makes tech the best Saturday football experience in the South.
Go Jackets!
GT Gilbert
February 8th, 2012
12:26 pm
Only one player?????? with all our talent and our NFL ready triple perfect unstoppable option offense???????
Ga Tech Old Timer
February 8th, 2012
2:24 pm
Hugedawgfan – You obviously don’t know your football or the players who perform for each team. Calvin didn’t have a problem with ANY UGA DB – especially Oliver! His ONLY problem was with our QB R Ball – and trying to catch the crappy passes that were thrown his way. Calvin had No Problem with any DB he played against – particularily what UGA had to offer. Don’t pat yourself or UGA on the back until you’ve looked at ALL the evidence.
Al Bundy
February 8th, 2012
3:21 pm
I wish CPJ and Al Groh would leave Tech early for the NFL or CFL or anywhere but here!
Hill is a third round pick at best in my opinion.
Peg Bundy
February 8th, 2012
4:26 pm
Oh Al!
Marcy Darcy
February 8th, 2012
4:44 pm
I hate you Al…
@Ga tech old timer
February 8th, 2012
4:47 pm
C Johnson never did much of anything in his 3 years vs Georgia except lose.
@Ga tech old timer
February 8th, 2012
4:52 pm
all the evidence you need is he didn’t catch passes vs UGA and he did catch passes vs. other teams he played against. Of his almost 3000 yards very few were against Georgia.