Stephen Hill ready for NFL combine
Greetings-
Stephen Hill is ready to run fast. The former Georgia Tech wide receiver will fly up to Indianapolis today for the NFL draft combine.
“I’m feeling great,” he said. “I’m ready to go.”
Nervous?
“Not nervous at all,” he said, and he sounded it. “This is something I’ve been dreaming about and something I’ve been ready for.”
Since declaring for the draft Jan. 5, Hill has spent most of his time at the IMG training facility in Bradenton, Fla. He worked out with other draft hopefuls such as quarterback Russell Wilson from Wisconsin, quarterback Kirk Cousins and Rutgers wide receiver Mohamed Sanu. The training is principally for the combine, Tech’s pro day (March 6) and individual workouts with teams. He also spent a week in Atlanta getting tutored by former Falcons wide receiver Terance Mathis.
Among those training him in Florida was renowned speed coach Loren Seagrave. Hill said he plans to do all of the tests at the combine.
“My 40 time has improved a little bit,” Hill said. “It’s going to be interesting.”
How interesting?
“I want to run a 4.4,” he said. “But I feel like I can run a 4.3.”
At last year’s combine, four wide receivers ran in the 4.3 range (including Falcons draft pick Julio Jones) and 11 in the 4.4 range (including former Georgia star A.J. Green, now with Cincinnati). Hill said he wants to also put up a 40-inch vertical, which six wide receivers did at the 2011 combine.
“I know I’m going to turn some heads in the 40,” he said, “but mostly I just want to show that I can show the change of direction in the 5-10-5 (short shuttle) and the L-cone drill.”
The combine is a four-day process that includes thorough physical exams, measurements, interviews with teams and the workouts. The wide receivers begin Thursday and end with the workout drills Sunday.
The draft evaluation that Hill requested from the NFL prior to declaring said that he did not have the potential to be taken in the first three rounds. NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock pegged him as a fourth-rounder. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. said that a strong combine could lift Hill into the third round, but that he could go considerably later. The website nfldraftscout.com, a source I tend to put stock in, ranked him the No. 7 wide receiver and a possible second-round selection.
Hill said he’s not dwelling on where he might go in the draft.
“I just take it day-by-day,” he said. “I have to go to Indy to pro day and pro day to individual workouts. That’s just how I’m taking it.”
Thanks for reading.
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
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108 comments Add your comment
GTfan2012
February 24th, 2012
3:26 pm
FWIW, Stephen Hill measured 6′4″ and 215lbs at the combine. That’s good size for an NFL WR, and will put to rest one of his knocks that he is too lean. We will see what he runs and jumps on Sunday.
Q
February 24th, 2012
4:07 pm
If you going to get on this message board and bash SH, then don’t post! There were some drops at GTech but there were also memorable catches and games!!! Did he play to his full potential at GTech, no! Why? Look at the offense which isn’t geared toward throwing the football, no route tree. As a WR at GTech, you have to be a great blocker and be willing to run a go route every 5 plays. I’m not making any excuses and surely not a Yellow Jack fan (Roll Tide) but watch the tapes and state facts.
Regardless of what is being posted negative, most of you wish that you were in this position to live out your dream. This is something that SH has wanted since he was a little kid. Instead of being negative, say something positive and enjoy watching someone living out there dream before your eyes!!!
Go Tech
February 24th, 2012
4:07 pm
He just needs to remember to catch the ball. He’ll make some teams roster. Good luck Stephen
Go Tech
February 24th, 2012
4:36 pm
Hey “Q”, I wish Stephen the best and believe some team will draft him. I watched him drop some easy throws this past season. Some most assuredly touchdowns. I also saw him make some spectacular catches. He’ll catch the ball at the combine. I believe he will run a 4.3 like he said. I think he’ll do well.
o'keefe
February 24th, 2012
6:33 pm
Can run. Can jump. Can’t catch–anything.
dekalb fan
February 24th, 2012
7:07 pm
NFL Combine Scouting report on Stephen Hill (he is the # 7 ranked WR and is a 2nd round projection):
A tall, long legged wide out who has a decent get off burst for his size. Builds speed as he goes down the field and the further down the field he gets the tougher he is to run with. Showcases good body control when asked to track the football. Locates the throw well, can extend his arms and make acrobatic plays on the football. Knows how to fend off contact down the field. Is a coordinated wide out with good body control, balances himself well when asked to high point the play and can collect himself quickly to go get the football. Showcases “plus” hands at times when asked to pluck off his frame. Exhibits a large set of paws and can snatch cleanly with one hand. However, does have a tendency at times to lose concentration and will put the ball on the ground. Exhibits some wiggle to his game for a bigger receiver with the ball in his hands. Has some natural initial explosion, can change directions and make a cut at full speed, allowing him to side step a defender with the ball in his hands. Exhibits good initial quickness/power as well when asked to side-step/break a tackle in the bubble screen game and is a tough guy initially to bring down.
Isn’t a real polished route runner because of the scheme. Is asked to typically just run vertical routes where he can track/height point the football. Has been asked to work from the slot, but seemed to round off/drift in and out of his breaks. And isn’t real sharp or sudden in that area of the game. Watching his short area quickness and body control for a big guy he looks like he can certainly develop in the three-step game and has the skill set to be able to beat press coverage off the line. Is a strong blocker and will get after it in the run game. Looks like a 4.5 guy, might be able to run in the low 4.5 range and does have some burst to his game. Can physically get bigger, is tall and long limbed, and I would like to see him add a bit more girth.
Impression: Has a unique skill set, can pluck off his frame, track the football and is the next big time talent from the Georgia Tech program. Is going to need some time to develop, but can come in and track football vertically early on. Has a lot of upside to his game and skill set says he’s an NFL starter.
Ghost
February 24th, 2012
7:55 pm
the back shoulder pass is not a predetermined thing,You basically read how the defender’s playing. If he’s playing behind him, you throw it over the top. If he’s running over the top, you throw it behind him. You’re throwing at his disadvantaged leverage, the receiver makes his adjustment in route.
THWG...Absolutely !
February 26th, 2012
11:02 am
Watching the NFL combine this morning…so far Hill has been quite impressive.
4.30 & 4.31 (both attempts in the 40)
good showing in the gauntlet.
only one drop so far and that throw was behind him and low (not trying to defend his drop… just being honest)
Keep up the good work Stephen!