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
Jacket Fan
February 23rd, 2012
8:06 am
This is hilarious!
FL Jacket
February 23rd, 2012
8:11 am
Stephen Hill will impress in the Combine and get taken MUCH earlier than these pundits think…
gt45
February 23rd, 2012
8:12 am
Good luck, Stephen. I know everyone’s situation is different, and you chose the path that you felt was right for you. I respect that.
MisterT
February 23rd, 2012
8:19 am
I don’t think any of us ever questioned his speed & quickness. I know stickum is no longer allowed. I hope for Stephen’s sake that those gloves they wear have had some technological advances.
THWg!
chewyandrw
February 23rd, 2012
8:21 am
I’m sure he is glad that he will not have to catches passes with someone defending him. He’d never get picked. His measureables are incredible, his immeasureables are equally as awful.
Birmingham Jacket
February 23rd, 2012
8:27 am
Well said chewyandrw.
Ready for combine.
Far, far away from being ready to play on Sundays.
The kid couldn’t make the plays on Saturdays.
Ramblin Wreck
February 23rd, 2012
8:33 am
40-yard.vertical. THAT would be impressive!
HighTech
February 23rd, 2012
8:37 am
I say good luck to Stephen Hill. Even though I cringed at the dropped passes, I admire him for pursuing his dream.
FL Jacket
February 23rd, 2012
8:39 am
chewyandrw…
I think his “immeasurables” are a bit over-exaggerated. The guy doesn’t shay away from run-blocking, which is something you don’t see that much in the NFL.
HighTech
February 23rd, 2012
8:43 am
Where’s Gorilla Biscuit? He said Mel Kiper, Jr. looks like a third string vampire. lol.
Rduck
February 23rd, 2012
8:44 am
i thought the same thing Ramblin Wreck… no CB could cover the fade route…lol
Freddie Blassie
February 23rd, 2012
8:45 am
3.9 second 40 yard time is worthless as is a 60″ vertical IF YOU DO NOT CATCH THE BALL.
Hill, I hope you make it in the NFL and do great but to do that, you have to catch the football. Do it.
gtfanforlife
February 23rd, 2012
8:52 am
I agree – doesn’t matter how fast you are if you can’t catch the ball. Two super catches in three years don’t make you NFL material.
Mr. Magoo
February 23rd, 2012
8:53 am
“Old Skillet Hands” will turn some heads until they throw him the ball!!
Best of luck, Stephen.
THWG!!
mp
February 23rd, 2012
8:58 am
thanks for the article on stephen, ken. been wondering how things are going for him in preparation for the combine. regardless of the drops hill showed at tech, we should all be keeping our fingers crossed he tears up the combine. it’ll only make our program look that much better for those who think we don’t give receivers the opportunity they need to be respectfully drafted into the league.
George Stein
February 23rd, 2012
9:03 am
Kudos to Loren Seagrave for creating a career teaching a skill that supposedly can’t be taught.
HighTech
February 23rd, 2012
9:09 am
George…can Loren Seagrave teach SEC speed?
Ga Tech Old Timer
February 23rd, 2012
9:11 am
Best of Luck – Stephen. I think most on this blog would like you to succeed in your attempt to make it in the NFL – at whatever level you’re taken. The thing I want most for you – is that you remember where you came from in terms of family, friends, schools attended – and remain “grounded” in your past. Life is full of decisions and you’ve made a major one to leave Tech to pursue your dream which none of us can fault – however, keep the educational dream alive as well and commit to finishing your degree some day. What you may have done or not done at Tech in terms of athletic accomplishments is over now and behind you. This is a new chapter now in your life and career – and I wish you all the best.
Antioch "G"
February 23rd, 2012
9:15 am
READ CAREFULLY: IF THE ONLY THING YOU FEEL THE NEED TO TYPE ON THIS PAGE ARE WORDS OF HATE AND NEGATIVITY, THEN KEEP YOUR MESS, KEEP YOUR ISSUES TO YOURSELF. STAY OFF THE PAGE AND AND SIMPLY DON’T READ THE ARTICLE. IF YOU HAVE NOTHING ENCOURAGING TO SAY THEN YOU HAVE AN ISSUE DEEP INSIDE OF YOU THAT ONLY YOU CAN FIX. TRYING TO BRING THIS MAN DOWN WILL SIMPLY PUSH HIM FURTHER. FURTHER THAN MOST OF YOU ALL WITH THESE COMMENTS OF HATE AND NEGATIVITY. I SINCE SOME PEOPLE ARE JEALOUS OF HIS OPPORTUNITY. BLESS!!!
Yeller Bug
February 23rd, 2012
9:21 am
One thing Stephen Hill was NEVER ready for……..
Playing UGA.
0-3 in the “most important games in his life”.
#Ownage
Yeller Bug
February 23rd, 2012
9:22 am
Antioch G,
I “since” you have a bad “since” of spelling and grammar.
We all know Tech doesn’t teach writing or social skills, however.
George Stein
February 23rd, 2012
9:24 am
No, HT, he can’t. SEC Speed is close to supersonic. You can’t even watch an SEC game on an LCD screen because of the drag.
Assigning credit (or blame) to one player for the result of a game is the dumbest thing you could do to measure his performance, Yeller Bug. Grow up.
Todd
February 23rd, 2012
9:24 am
LMAO – 40 *yard* vertical. Even Reggie Ball could throw to this guy!
Say It Aint So
February 23rd, 2012
9:28 am
Antioch “G” everyone has a right to their opinions. If he can’t catch, he can’t catch. Should have followed in Demps footsteps and pursued track and field after college.
Dos Techos Man
February 23rd, 2012
9:29 am
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee426/mitchginn/DosTechosMan.jpg
GT = Dumpster Fire
February 23rd, 2012
9:31 am
Do they run the Coach Fish Fry flop offense combined with the washed up defensive coordinator defense and no special teams in the NFL? If so, his game should translate perfectly to the NFL…..
BigTimeTechFan
February 23rd, 2012
9:32 am
Hope Hill does well, he’s a cool guy and we’ll miss him at Tech.
Don’t know where he ranks with Tech All-Time receivers:
1. Drew Hill
2. Calvin Johnson
3. Jimmy Robinson
4. Kerry Watkins
5. Demaryius Thomas
6.Kelly Campbell
7. Jonathan Smith
Dez White
Harvy Middleton
Derrick Steagal
Then Hill some where
George Stein
February 23rd, 2012
9:33 am
Troll hard, Dumpster Fire.
FL Jacket
February 23rd, 2012
9:34 am
And the troll makes an appearance…
GTfan2012
February 23rd, 2012
9:43 am
We are likely going to have another WR drafted in the first three round of the NFL draft. That will make three in five years for GT. As long as Stephen Hill does not get injured, he will perform well at the combine. He will probably have a top 5 vertical and a top 10 40 time for WR. His hands are better than you think. His style of play and size fits in very well in the new NFL, where big physical WRs are at a premium. He will measure a legit 6′3.5″ 215lbs. He will run under 4.5 40 with close to a 40 inch vert and that alone pushes him into the top 10 of WRs. He’s got good body control and can show a highlight package of some really amazng catches.
GTfan2012
February 23rd, 2012
9:47 am
Newsflash to Dumpster fire, they don’t run Mark Richt’s offense in the NFL either. They don’t run Nick Saban’s offense in the NFL either. NFL OCs always have their own offenses with their own terminology, so ANY player has to learn a new offense when moving from college to the NFL. But you wouldn’t know that, because you have zero football knowledge.
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FL Jacket
February 23rd, 2012
9:50 am
GTfan2012…I agree with this.
The guy was the GA HS triple-jump champion in 2008-2009 with a distance that would have placed him in the NCAA championships. He’s a straight-up incredible athlete with the willingness and ability to block downfield…which most NFL receivers can’t or won’t do.
Jacket Fan
February 23rd, 2012
9:52 am
Might be in the top five receivers in the draft – who knows?
George Stein
February 23rd, 2012
9:54 am
Of course UGA doesn’t run a real pro offense, GTfan2012. The problem is that people think that lining up in an I-formation with two WR and and a TE equals pro-style. I mean, does anyone really think their receivers are adjusting their routes based on the coverage? Seriously?
o'keefe
February 23rd, 2012
9:58 am
I hope they don’t hit him at these trials. If they do,Stephen may run his 4.3 all the way back to Georgia.
FL Jacket
February 23rd, 2012
10:02 am
I love these non-GT posters making comments about Stephen Hill that obviously expose the fact that these posters never even watched any of his games…
o'keefe
February 23rd, 2012
10:02 am
Di you actually see him block anybody.I saw him get in peoples’ way,but block? No.I hope nobody hits him in Indy or he may run his 4.3 all the way back to Georgia.He sure looked scared to me.
FL Jacket
February 23rd, 2012
10:20 am
o’keefe…
Do you actually think Tevin Washington could break off 2 separate 40+ yard runs off the QB sneak in the Clemson game this year without Hill’s blocking?
FL Jacket
February 23rd, 2012
10:23 am
Not an athlete…
http://i.huffpost.com/gen/360479/thumbs/s-ONE-HANDED-CATCH-large300.jpg
o'keefe
February 23rd, 2012
10:25 am
FL Jacket Yes. Hill got in someones way…. Lay down a block? I don’t think so. He simply could not take a hit.He’ll get killed in the pros , if he gets there.
FL Jacket
February 23rd, 2012
10:26 am
Not physical or a blocker…
http://ct4.pbase.com/t4/17/606817/4/139575590.E3fiDLZV.jpg
FL Jacket
February 23rd, 2012
10:28 am
o’keefe…
You can continue to deal in your personal opinion on the matter, and I’ll go based on what he showed on the field.
FL Jacket
February 23rd, 2012
10:44 am
George Stein…
How about that Pro-style offense they run at Clemson? You know, the one that is coached by a guy 2 years removed from HIGH SCHOOL…
Habersham Dawg
February 23rd, 2012
10:47 am
I hope the kid does well. With the emphasis on passing in the pros like it is, he’ll get more opportunities during practice to perfect his abilities. If he does have skillet hands, then he’ll be able to play special teams for a couple or three years and get his feet wet as an NFL player. Something the rest of us only dream about.
Antioch "G"
February 23rd, 2012
10:52 am
@Yeller Bug-
I did use the wrong word form of “since”. “Sense” would be the correct form. It’s called a Homophone in the English language, you know a word that is pronounced the same and sometimes spelled different and it means something different. Thanks for you correction and thank you for attempting to down me for my spelling and grammar mistake. I hope it added value to your life for catching that. I see what I wrote earlier went over your head. You’re being so analytical of what I wrote that you didn’t grasp that you might be one of the people I’m referring to. Also, writing and social skills are taught before you get to college. The last time I checked no one was perfect. Guess I should type my comment in Microsoft Word then cut and paste it to the AJC like you may or may not do. Don’t come at me like you perfect, when you really simple. What are you a spelling bee judge? YOU CAN LET GO OF MY SACK NOW. IT’S OK I SEE YOU HAVE A HARD TIME SEEING PEOPLE PROSPER !!!
Antioch "G"
February 23rd, 2012
11:06 am
@ Say it Aint So-
Very true we are all entitled to an opinion but it’s too much negativity in the world right now. Why not choose to rise above it and create positive energy. Encourage each other you know, it’s easy, try it.
People have not seen Hill’s abilities since his last game at Tech. In my opinion he is more than ready. You can have all the talent in the world but attitude and character speak beyond that. He has a work ethic greater than any receiver in the league now and that’s what will set him apart.
This “he can’t catch” nonsense needs to stop. I can name several NFL receivers with trash hands and guess what they still getting a check. I can name many receivers in the NFL that were ballers in college and became busted and useless in the NFL, even some of them still getting a check. I can even name some undrafted receivers and players that are now starters. In my opinion the only college football does is make money for these corrupt universities and maybe for some players it gets them ready for the speed and pace of the NFL between the lines. Some players have a natural ability to adjust to the game no matter what and Hill will be one of them because everyday he has trained and stayed away from the negative b.s. opinions some people have.
Ghost
February 23rd, 2012
11:20 am
Bigtime, Tech’s had some great receivers , don’t think Hill was anywhere near great.
wes
February 23rd, 2012
11:21 am
Shouldn’t have creampied your g/f! Now you are leaving for the NFL way too early!
Ghost
February 23rd, 2012
11:27 am
George , The Auburn game would be a great game for you to see how the Georgia receivers adjust their routes to coverages.The degree of sophistication isn’t on NFL level but its there.
Delbert D.
February 23rd, 2012
11:28 am
Michael Jenkins was a good downfield blocker for the Falcons.
George Stein
February 23rd, 2012
11:28 am
Seriously, FL Jacket. Or the fact that Cam Newton actually was running a high school offense at Auburn? I mean, seriously.
RedandBlackDAWG
February 23rd, 2012
11:37 am
Hey, this kid might do quite well at the combine, if he has decent passes thrown his way, by a QB, who is really a legitimate passer. He is big enough and probably fast enough. You can’t say he is not physical enough,although the NFL doesn’t really demand its receivers be all that good at blocking unless there is a busted play and some sort of blocking is needed down field.
He has skills and now he will get a chance to showcase them.
BigTimeTechFan
February 23rd, 2012
11:40 am
Tech has had 3 great WR’s, then a lot of real good WR’s and Hill is one of those real good ones. If he played when Tech passed more is stats would have been a lot better.
3 great = Drew Hill, C Johnson, J Robinson
Ghost
February 23rd, 2012
12:07 pm
Bigtime, I’ll agree to disagree with you on Hill but he wasn’t real good either.
FL Jacket
February 23rd, 2012
12:32 pm
The truth of the matter is that the NFL cares less about what you did in college and more on what you can develop into in the future.
Catching 25 passes a year in a run-heavy option offense doesn’t have any bearing on one’s success in the NFL. Look at David Terrell, Mike Williams, Braylon Edwards, and Travis Taylor…prototype NFL WRs who accomplished a lot in college, knew how to play the position, and made big plays in college…they either left the game very early or are hanging on at a mediocre level.
GTfan2012
February 23rd, 2012
12:41 pm
Antioch “G”,
Don’t worry about the haters, they always come trolling the GT blogs because they have nothing better to do. Real GT fans appreciate Hill’s contributions and talent. His blocking improved tremendously while at GT, just look at the film. (And yes blocking does matter to the NFL types for a WR). I bet you that none of the draft prognosticators know that Stephen Hill was an elite level long jumper for his age in HS. That kind of explosiveness and power can’t be taught.
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yeller bug
February 23rd, 2012
12:57 pm
Wow—a GA troll using my name on here. Never had that happen before. I guess that reflects the significant illiteracy of the UGA types—there’s about 100k of English words and they can’t even come up with their own names. Pretty embarassing. So for you fake “Yeller Bug”: Try Dog Poop 1 or Dawg Poop 1, Dawg Poop 2, etc and count as high as you can go. That should give you 5 or 6 names to choose from. Sorry Antioch G—that wasn’t me.
George Stein
February 23rd, 2012
2:16 pm
I guess my point, Ghost, was that in the NFL the receivers change their routes midstream based on what the defense is doing. None of that happens in college, with the exception being that if a DB lines up with inside leverage, the player may run a corner route or some other outside route or, conversely, if the DB lines up with outside leverage the player may run a post or some other inside route.
But let’s not get formations confused with sophistication.
GT fan
February 23rd, 2012
2:22 pm
SH / NFL …. gets funnier every time I read about it. I hope the young man makes it at the next level, but I have real doubts. Kerry Watkins, Dez White, Kelly Campbell, Harvey Middleton, Bobby Rodriguez…just to name a few that were better WRs than SH. Dez & KC I know made the NFL, but did nothing great, and they both were FAR better WRs than SH. Watkins I think was a CFL’er. HM & BR, not sure.
Now here’s SH ……. The kid is supposedly 4.4 (or he thinks, 4.3) fast, and supposedly can jump out the stadium. Two traits he supposedly had when he signed with Tech. However, I never saw him exploit anyone with his speed, and more disturbing/perplexing, I NEVER SAW SHill USE HIS LEAPING ABILITY TO HIS/GT’s ADVANTAGE. Never have I seen a WR so (apparently) gifted with leaping ability consistly catch (and drop) so many passes with both feet on the ground.
CFL … sure. NFL … I’m ?? But I hope, being a GT fan, that it’s the latter.
George Stein … great point calling out the “speed coach” … I’ve definitely heard tons of times people say you can’t coach speed. Evidently Seagrave can. Maybe he knows Ponce de Leon too, and can tell us where that fountain is?
FL Jacket
February 23rd, 2012
2:28 pm
Everyone likes to blow things out of proportion. You can’t teach speed…DUH.
But you can teach a fast guy to run a better 40-time by teaching him how to get out of the block, how to transition, how to keep form.
Or then again, you can be Calvin Johnson and run a 4.3 at the Combine in someone else’s cleats…
GTfan2012
February 23rd, 2012
2:58 pm
We all know that Stephen Hill is no Calvin Johnson. But I also think he’s better than what GT Fan is implying. I saw him make a couple of plays this year for TDs that were called back for offensive pass interference. No way he gets called for offensive pass interference for that in the NFL. Stephen Hill is big, Stephen Hill is fast, Stephen Hill has good body control, Stephen Hill has gotten more physical. If he puts up some top combine numbers, look out… he could move into the top 5 of WRs in the Draft.
crackbaby
February 23rd, 2012
2:59 pm
Rounds 3 through 5 are where teams can find “value” by picking a guy with a lot of potential in areas where a team has strong needs. There are a lot (more than a handful) of NFL teams who badly need talent at WR.
It will be interesting to see how things develop. And for Stephen Hill, not being drafted could turn out to be a good thing. It’s the only way he can pick a team.
Here’s a reference point. Marques Colston of the Saints was projected as an undrafted free agent. 40 time was 4.55. He “Must….consistently catch the ball before he runs up field.” http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/2006/draft/players/27260.html
Saints got him in round 7.
Just sayin’….
crackbaby
February 23rd, 2012
3:05 pm
@RedandBlackDAWG – “although the NFL doesn’t really demand its receivers be all that good at blocking unless there is a busted play and some sort of blocking is needed down field.”
Dude! I beg to differ. Look at the top teams – Pats, Giants, 49ers, Ravens, Steelers and even the Falcons. All those teams demand that their WRs block effectively downfield.
Are watching the same league?
Carlson
February 23rd, 2012
3:49 pm
Good luck S Hill. Keep training and give it your best – you have a good shot at it
GT fan
February 23rd, 2012
4:18 pm
No GTFan2012, I just have a pretty good eye for sports.
I hope SH makes the NFL b/c he wore the GT helmet. I’d love to be wrong about him, but I just have serious doubts. The kid never showed what he supposedly possed … SPEED & LEAPING ability. Go back and watch as many highlights as you can of him, and you won’t see him use his SPEED & LEAPING ability to much avail. Especially his LEAPING ability.
6′4″ and can jump, yet in his 3 years I don’t think I ever saw a “jump ball” to SH when GT was around the goal line. SH’s supposed leaping ability should’ve been a 3 year replay of Calvin Johnson around the goal line.
GT fan
February 23rd, 2012
4:32 pm
Also GTfan2012 …
In my first post I never brought up Calvin Johnson. What would be the pt of that? There will NEVER be another Calvin Johnson at GT. CJ’s a once-in-forever type player. Just too bad that he had Reggie Ball throwing to him and the bumbling idiot Chan Gailey as his coach.
But those other WRs I did mention, whether you like it or not, were better than SH. And the pt I was making is that of those 5 only 2, that I’m sure of, made the NFL, and those 2 were MUCH better than SH.
IMO, SH will put up quality “numbers” at the combine, and will drafted too high based on those “numbers”. He’ll get drafted on perceived potential, not his GT resume.
jarvis
February 23rd, 2012
4:40 pm
He has hands like feet.
George Stein
February 23rd, 2012
4:42 pm
Eh, I think you have to draft more for potential than college production, GT fan. I mean, if we drafted for production, then every Mike Leach QB would go first overall.
I don’t intend to use say that prior production is irrelevant, because it isn’t. But, I do think tools are more important. Ultimately, though, the player needs to be put in a system that maximized his tools and minimizes his flaws. For example, asking Wes Welker to run deep vertical routes is probably not going to help the team that much. Similarly, asking Calvin Johnson to be a possession receiver rather than the best deep threat in the past 20 years is foolish, too.
GT fan
February 23rd, 2012
4:59 pm
But George …. QBs are much easier for the NFL folks to evaluate.
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING for a WR is what? To CATCH the ball. SH didn’t show me in his time at GT that he’ll be very successful at that in the NFL. A better word for me to have used would’ve been SH’s “measurables” not potential. 6′4″ 205lb (with a buildable frame), speed, leaping. SH wasn’t a consistent catcher of the football in college. I certainly don’t think he’ll suddenly become one in the NFL.
Again, I hope I’m wrong about the young man. It’ll only give more hope to WRs at GT now, and the ones who come later. I’m GT before I’m NFL.
George Stein
February 23rd, 2012
5:13 pm
I don’t disagree about his hands, GT fan. They were awfully frustrating because he could make the circus catch (think Clemson or last year at Kansas) but would drop easy ones (like the sure TD against UNC this year).
I think we’ll have to agree to disagree about QBs. JaMarcus Russell says hello, by the way.
FL Jacket
February 23rd, 2012
5:14 pm
GT fan…
Mike Williams had the best hands I’ve seen in a long time coming out of college, short of maybe Calvin. Did it work out for him in the NFL (he’s barely hanging on in Seattle after being out of football for over a year). He can catch the football.
The real trick for NFL receivers is knowing how to get open. How to beat press coverage using technique. How to read coverages and break off routes. They have to know the routes for up to all 5 receiver positions on any given play. It’s as much a mental exercise as it is a physical one.
Ghost
February 23rd, 2012
5:21 pm
George , of course they do , Would you like to go to a practice sometime? the back shoulder passes that Georgia and many programs use is a prime example of route adjustment during the route.
FL Jacket
February 23rd, 2012
5:21 pm
Yeah George, there’s no more scrutinized and still less understood NFL position to scout for than Quarterback…hands down.
How is it that Matt Leinart and Vince Young vie for Heismans and play in the MNC game, get drafted high, and yet are both NFL backups (when they should be in the peak of their careers) and nearing the exit of their playing career? Or what about Brady Quinn and Jimmy Clausen…fresh out of that Charlie Weis NFL system at Notre Dame?
On the flip side, who though Carolina was crazy for taking SCam Newton with the first pick overall? What round was Tony Romo drafted in?
FL Jacket
February 23rd, 2012
5:25 pm
Ghost…
The back-shoulder pass is not a route adjustment, it’s a route.
A route adjustment would be seeing the defensive coverage mid-route, breaking off to find the soft spot in the zone. Or seeing the QB get flushed toward a sideline and following his rollout.
Paddy
February 23rd, 2012
5:28 pm
Didn’t Hill win the “Bronze Gloves Award” at GT when he was a Soph?Then he played with them his Jr. year!
Ghost
February 23rd, 2012
5:28 pm
I disagree Fl. jacket the pass is thrown to back shoulder if the corner back is , the qb certainly isn’t going to throw to back shoulder if the DB isn’t in that position , then the pass would be thrown long.
gt45
February 23rd, 2012
5:52 pm
It can only be great for Tech if he makes it!
George Stein
February 23rd, 2012
6:20 pm
Totally agree, FL Jacket, on both points.
The back shoulder throw isn’t a route adjustment. It’s no different than a curl or a slant.
G Sizor
February 23rd, 2012
6:26 pm
@ Paddy 5:48………now that is funny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FL Jacket
February 23rd, 2012
6:28 pm
Ghost…I see where you are coming from.
Throwing it to the back shoulder because the CB is not looking at the pass being thrown, and asking the WR to make an adjustment. I would argue that’s more on the QB, because it seems that it requires the accuracy necessary to lead to the back shoulder as it would to throw a fade route to the back pylon, a high jump ball in the back of the endzone to a taller receiver, or a ball thrown towards the OB so that only a WR can catch it and get his feet in bounds. These seem to me to be more timing-routes.
I think we’re talking about asking a WR to make a post-snap, mid-route read to recognize the coverage and change the route completely…at the same time the QB is doing the same.
1 4 GT
February 23rd, 2012
6:33 pm
More like half a million words in the English language yeller bug. That further shows how ignorant the trolls are.
crackbaby
February 23rd, 2012
6:48 pm
Hill certainly dropped catch-able balls. However, y’all aren’t remembering some great catches. Early this year on the West sideline – that one handed grab that was way behind him and his feet came down just in bounds. I believe that was a third down conversion.
Also the ?Clemson? game, after an early drop, he caught the deep post route over his shoulder with a DB draped all over him. It was toward the south end zone (not sure if it was Clemson game).
That part of the game is mental and Stephen is young and still learning. Let’s wait and see what happens.
1 4 GT
February 23rd, 2012
6:59 pm
How silly of Ghost to hint at Murray being anywhere near consistently accurate in his passing game to utilize such sophistication. Admittedly, he has shown flashes of brilliance, but then he starts channeling Reggie Ball. Arron Murray a bit > than Reggie Ball in consistency.
Go Tech
February 23rd, 2012
7:03 pm
Good luck Stephen!
dekalb fan
February 23rd, 2012
7:36 pm
Stephen Hill
Rob Rang of CBS Sports sees Georgia Tech WR Stephen Hill as being similar to Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas and mentions that he could come off of the board as early as the second-round.
Hill has great size 6-foot-5, 206 pounds and could run as low 4.4 at the Combine which should warrant plenty of interest from NFL teams. One quick note: Hill had a 29.3 yards per reception at Georgia Tech last season.
dekalb fan
February 23rd, 2012
7:41 pm
Another Scouting Report from an NFL Scout:
Report Prepared: February 18, 2012
After a sub-par sophomore season where Hill dropped several passes, he bounced back in his junior campaign to become one of college football’s biggest big-play threats. In 2011, Hill only caught 28 passes in Georgia Tech’s triple option offense; however, his receptions resulted in a gaudy 820 yards, which led the nation in yards per catch at 29.3. The concern is that Hill remains a raw prospect, as the Rambling Wreck are not known for their sophistication in the aerial game. He will have to “hit the books” on the receiving route tree in an NFL playbook, as his routes will need a lot of work. Hill had some notable drops over his career, mostly due to lack of concentration. And to be fair, he’s also demonstrated spectacular leaping ability and rare hand strength to make some amazing catches (easily understood based on the passing ability of Georgia Tech QB’s). Despite receiving an unfavorable grade from the NFL committee, Hill has decided to take his talents to the NFL. If he was enrolled at a program that had a better passing attack, he definitely could have used another year at school to refine his route running ability. Regardless, scouts will fall in love with Hill’s size and playmaking ability. He is probably a 3rd round pick but with a good combine and a good pro day he could rise to the 2nd round.
Compares to (Current NFL Player): Demaryius Thomas
Strengths
– Size
– Speed
– Big Strong hands
Weaknesses
– Raw
– Poor route runner
– Lacks focus on occasions
Bob Horner
February 23rd, 2012
7:48 pm
Need Biff Pocoroba and I to coach the concept of a forward pass to the Tech offense?
How bout them BEES!
February 23rd, 2012
8:18 pm
Hill is the kind of receiver that can’t catch a cold, but he looks good doing it.
Jacket Man
February 23rd, 2012
8:23 pm
Like I said when Stephen first declared, if he got into NFL Combine “shape” and was able to run a 4.4 forty or better, and shows he has skills in the passing drills, then he’ll shoot up the draft board. In other words, come in and show the work ethic of Demaryious Thomas rather than Jonathan Dwyer.
Birmingham Jacket
February 23rd, 2012
8:25 pm
Stephen Hill:
The Georgia Tech over UGA commitment that have DAWG fans laughing their asses off.
Must have been coaching.
Not…
Jacket Time
February 24th, 2012
12:11 am
Receiver U! Oh ye-ah
Not Disappointed
February 24th, 2012
7:18 am
I wish you the best of luck Stephen. Make all of us proud! God Bless and Ramblin Wreck!
Technically Correct
February 24th, 2012
9:01 am
Does the Athens Journal Constitution have anyone assigned to cover Georgia Tech athletics anymore?
5150 UOAD
February 24th, 2012
9:12 am
Stephen Trevon Hill
Well it’s that time to show what I can do!! Thank you God for the opportunity!!
Unlike · · Wednesday at 9:38pm near Belmont
Go HILL and Impress the scouts.
HighTech
February 24th, 2012
9:33 am
Someone from Tech (maybe Al Groh) needs to be on the phone or plan a trip to Maryland. Coach Edsall has lifted his restrictions for players who want to transfer.
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news?slug=dw-wetzel_danny_obrien_maryland_randy_edsall_022212
NFL Draft 2012: Fast-Rising Prospects to Keep an Eye on | :: Sparxxrx LLC ::
February 24th, 2012
11:36 am
[...] the NFL. The only question surrounds his speed, which we’ll get a glimpse of at the combine. Ken Sugiura of the Atlanta Journal Constitution quoted Hill talking about his speed. “My 40 time has [...]
dawgfan
February 24th, 2012
1:24 pm
14GT, the only time that Aaron Murry channels Reggie Ball is when he’s doing things to help UGA win against Georgia Tech.
Aaron Murray’s stats against the Joke By Coke in 2 seasons as starter: 523 yards passing, 34 of 48 passing (71%), 7 TDs, 1 INT.
Aaron Murray has singlehandedly made an absolute effing mockery out of your defense the past two seasons. I don’t think any of you Techies are in any position to critque the level of sophistication of our offense. It looks like there is plenty of sophistication for you joke defense to handle.
Techies, if you don’t want me around here don’t go popping off at your big fat mouths about UGA like you’ve actually got something to say to us. The day that you understand this is the day that you hear nothing else out of me. Until then,
Georgia Tech=JOKE.
Thanks.
FL Jacket
February 24th, 2012
2:37 pm
Well, dwagfan certainly feels better about himself now that he’s defended the only thing in his life that’s important to him…
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!