Tech’s Hill slips out of first round
Former Georgia Tech wide receiver Stephen Hill slipped out of the first round of the NFL draft Thursday night. Many draft projections pegged Hill, who left Tech after his junior season, to go to San Francisco at the No. 30 spot. The 49ers did take a wide receiver, but it was Illinois’ A.J. Jenkins, projected as an early second-round choice. Overall, four wide receivers were taken in the first round – Oklahoma State’s Justin Blackmon to Jacksonville at No. 5, Notre Dame’s Michael Floyd to St. Louis Arizona at No. 13, Baylor’s Kendall Wright to Tennessee at No. 20 and Jenkins.
Hill, invited to New York for the draft, will likely go early in the second round, which begins at 7 p.m. Friday. The first 10 picks of the second round – St. Louis, Indianapolis, Baltimore, Denver, Cleveland, Jacksonville, St. Louis, Carolina, Buffalo and Miami. Hill visited with the Ravens prior to the draft. (He also reportedly visited with the New York Jets, Philadelphia, Tennessee and Minnesota.) With the exception of Jacksonville, which took Blackmon in the first round, the other nine teams have a need at wide receiver to one degree or another and could select Hill. Another team could also trade up to take Hill.
A few intriguing landing spots are Indianapolis, where Hill could pair with first overall pick Andrew Luck; Denver, where he could line up opposite former Jackets star Demaryius Thomas and catch passes from Peyton Manning; Carolina, where he could become the go-to guy of Cam Newton, another Atlanta product; and Buffalo, where he would be coached by former Tech coach Chan Gailey and be a teammate of his former quarterback, Bills safety Joshua Nesbitt.
An interesting post script to the Jenkins pick. My thanks to a Twitter follower who noted that Gailey recruited Jenkins out of Jacksonville, Fla., and received a commitment from him in the summer of 2007, but he de-committed in the fall. (confirmed on Jenkins” Rivals page) Interesting to think what might have happened if he’d kept his commitment and then maintained it after the coaching change. The other great part about Jenkins’ page? He was the No. 53 wide receiver in the country that year. (Floyd was No. 6 and Blackmon was No. 91. Wright was the No. 64 “athlete.” Julio Jones and A.J. Green were Nos. 1 and 2, respectively. In 2009, Hill was No. 99.)
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
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346 comments Add your comment
James Stephenson
April 27th, 2012
9:21 am
You ever notice how the Dawg blogs let people write comments, regardless of how bad the news is. But if a Tech player or coach gets into trouble, they lock those comments down. Small men. Small minds. Just chickens.
WnE
April 27th, 2012
9:21 am
re:
HIll’s HIgh School Coach
April 27th, 2012
8:54 am
To all the fools on here that are downing HIll. I guess you never been to a GT practice. They MAY spend 10% of their practice catching the rest is blocking blocking blocking. So yes you will drop some balls when you not catching them during the week. Mr. Hill will be a star. He’s ready and hungry get ready NFL. Get your popcorn ready. Steve we proud of you at MIller Grove we’ll see you when you get back
________________-
So you’re insinuating that had Hill played in a different Offense for a different HC, then he would have been drafted MUCH HIGHER?
How high do you think Hill would have been drafted had he signed with Muttville or some other College like Bama or USCe?
How much money do you estimate that CPJ cost Hill with his lack of passing at GT?
Ted DiBiase
April 27th, 2012
9:25 am
SO Johnson is to blame for trying to get him the ball deep several times a game? I don’t think it was Johnson who told Hill to drop a large percentage of those otherwise touchdown catches, but I guess pros like XMAN and WRECK know better.
Oh, to have the supreme intellect of these superstar blogging champs!
Delbert D.
April 27th, 2012
9:26 am
Thanks for the info on those high school rankings from the recruiting services, Ken. Blackmon as the #91 WR surprised me. ESPN this morning projects the possibility that the Rams will take Hill with the 1st pick in the 2nd round.
FL Jacket
April 27th, 2012
9:26 am
“When Nick Saban & CMR had AJ & Julio they “didn’t blow it” (both were Top-7 Draft picks) , CPJ had S. Hill and he falls out of the first round, the clear trend is obvious.”
WnE…
So it had nothing to do with the fact that AJ Green, Julio Jones, and Calvin Johnson were all generational talents? I think you vastly over-estimate Stephen Hill’s draft ceiling.
But it’s par for the course for your hatred of CPJ, because in your eyes he has to…
1) Go 12-0 against top-flight competition…and those teams need to be the most successful in their recent histories or else the Wins are weak
2) Have all of his players go in the top half of the 1st round of the NFL Draft
3) Pull in top 5 recruiting classes every year despite the tangible academic restrictions placed upon CPJ
4) Graduate 100% of his players even though the Institute doesn’t graduate 100% of its students
George Stein
April 27th, 2012
9:27 am
Let me see if I can parse WnE’s opinion.
If a player gets taken highly in the draft, Johnson underused him. However, if he falls in the draft, Johnson didn’t prepare him.
If a player gets taken highly in the draft, it was because of his time spent training with a third party. However, if the player falls in the draft, it’s because Johnson didn’t prepare him.
Paul Johnson damages the draft prospects of players. However, he also cannot recruit well enough to get them because of the offense he runs.
Does that about cover it?
Ted DiBiase
April 27th, 2012
9:28 am
If the guy pretending to be Hill’s high school coach is who he says he is, then that is sad.
Don’t you need to teach in order to coach?
Don’t you need to learn the English language in order to teach?
Above all else, isn’t it childish and petty to insult the institution who supported your guy for several years, even as he let us down in big moments in big games?
Van
April 27th, 2012
9:28 am
Several times a game ted? Puhleeeeaaase. The guy averaged 2.2 catches per game. He probably averaged 3 pass attempts to him per game. You don’t have a clue.
WnE
April 27th, 2012
9:30 am
re:
BigTimeTechFan
April 27th, 2012
9:20 am
“If you’re an Offensive Genius like the GT fanbase claims that CPJ is, then you find a way to get MORE out of a guy that has Randy Moss-type physical talents.”
But you also say Coach Johnson can’t recruit talented player to GT because of the offense he runs.
How do you explain that?
________________
I thought CPJ’s insistence that his WRs block would make such a difference that the NFL Scouts would draft Hill before all those others WRs.
Once they get to GT as 4* Recruits like Hill CPJ has to MAXIMIZE them, CPJ didn’t MAXIMIZE Hill, and I doubt he’ll sign another Recruit out of DeKalb because of the way he misused Hill and cost Hill so much money.
I guess CPJ better start looking for WRs in Australia just like that DL from his last Recruiting class, he won’t be getting anymore Recruits out of DeKalb County.
Van
April 27th, 2012
9:31 am
I guess it should read catch attempts per game since he’s not the qb
Ted DiBiase
April 27th, 2012
9:32 am
“Van,”
Yes, I’m the one without a clue, while you guess how many attempts he might have had.
Lots of Dwag fans off their meds today. Drink some more fluoride, Dwaggies…it will all get better.
FL Jacket
April 27th, 2012
9:32 am
GS…stop being such a BLT and join in the hatefest of Coach Kung Fu Moobs McFish Fry
FL Jacket
April 27th, 2012
9:34 am
“I guess CPJ better start looking for WRs in Australia just like that DL from his last Recruiting class, he won’t be getting anymore Recruits out of DeKalb County.”
WnE…
You mean after Davin Bellamy from Chamblee HS commits right?
Ted DiBiase
April 27th, 2012
9:34 am
I once went to Athens…I haven’t seen as many pink shirts, short shorts, and male-on-male hand-holding in my entire life.
WnE
April 27th, 2012
9:36 am
re:
FL Jacket
April 27th, 2012
9:26 am
“When Nick Saban & CMR had AJ & Julio they “didn’t blow it” (both were Top-7 Draft picks) , CPJ had S. Hill and he falls out of the first round, the clear trend is obvious.”
WnE…
So it had nothing to do with the fact that AJ Green, Julio Jones, and Calvin Johnson were all generational talents? I think you vastly over-estimate Stephen Hill’s draft ceiling.
_____________
S. Hill’s 6-4 215lbs frame with a 40 in vertical compares FAVORABLY with those WRs you listed above, but he played in CPJ’s triple-OPtion Offense and he ends up getting drafted AFTER FOUR GUYS that are not only smaller than Hill but also SLOWER than Hill.
He has Randy Moss Size & speed, that right there should tell you where his draft ceiling should be!
Until of course CPJ spends 3 years coaching him!
Ted DiBiase
April 27th, 2012
9:36 am
Facts just aren’t the strong point of Dwaggies…conjecture, catchphrases, and endless non sequiturs are their bread-and-butter.
Ted DiBiase
April 27th, 2012
9:37 am
Nothing more pathetic than Dwaggos spending their days at the public library trying to spread hate about the team they claim is not important enough to even worry about.
George Stein
April 27th, 2012
9:39 am
Seriously, FLJ. WnE is crazy. There’s no other way to put it.
Ted DiBiase
April 27th, 2012
9:40 am
A friend of mine went to U[sic]GA for college…he was a real tough guy, a fellow football player.
After a couple of years up in Athens he came back home with his new special friend Lance.
Lance, as we all know, is the famous “WnE.” How many homes must you destroy in your never-ending quest to “turn” young men, Lance?
George Stein
April 27th, 2012
9:40 am
“He has Randy Moss Size & speed, that right there should tell you where his draft ceiling should be!”
But Paul Johnson can’t recruit. Remember?
Ted DiBiase
April 27th, 2012
9:42 am
Lance, AKA “WnE,” has a penchant for confusing wordplay: he uses it often to “turn” young men and use them for his depraved purposes. He tried it on Vad Lee and it didn’t work. Now he takes out his frustration on Tech fans on the internet.
Give it up Lance.
FL Jacket
April 27th, 2012
9:46 am
LOL @ the Million Dollar Man
CPJ
April 27th, 2012
9:49 am
So, who’s up for a fish fry?
WnE
April 27th, 2012
9:50 am
re:
George Stein
April 27th, 2012
9:40 am
“He has Randy Moss Size & speed, that right there should tell you where his draft ceiling should be!”
But Paul Johnson can’t recruit. Remember?
______________
Whatever Spiel that Hill & his father fell for is immaterial at this point, CPJ should get more than 26 catches over a 12-game season out of a guy with Hill’s size & Speed.
Hill is losing signing bonus money BECAUSE of CPJ’s gimmicky system, and today not only is he mad at CPJ, but he also mad at himself for falling for CPJ’s recruiting spiel and not signing with UGA.
He’s probably singing this song this morning:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHHGBz0B11o
FL Jacket
April 27th, 2012
9:50 am
“Until of course CPJ spends 3 years coaching him!”
WnE is a contradiction waiting to happen. Demaryius Thomas was coached by CPJ for 2 years and went from backup WR to All-ACC and a 1st round pick…but you credit Chan Gailey.
Ted DiBiase
April 27th, 2012
9:52 am
Oh, so now we know that Lance is also posting as that silly “Coach Johnson I-pod” name as well.
I am trying to keep up a list of his many aliases, as it will help when he is brought up on formal pedo charges.
Vad Lee was only 17 when you were sending him lewd Twitter messages, Lance…how do you sleep at night?
Tyler Kidney
April 27th, 2012
9:53 am
Why didn’t Stephen Hill invite me over to the house for his Draft party?
Ted DiBiase
April 27th, 2012
9:53 am
People, please do not give into Lance’s illogical arguments. It only serves to fuel his unusual, depraved appetite.
Please, just out him for who he is and leave it at that.
George Stein
April 27th, 2012
9:54 am
“Whatever Spiel that Hill & his father fell for is immaterial at this point, CPJ should get more than 26 catches over a 12-game season out of a guy with Hill’s size & Speed.”
So you think Stephen Hill and his dad are stupid. Nice.
“Hill is losing signing bonus money BECAUSE of CPJ’s gimmicky system, and today not only is he mad at CPJ, but he also mad at himself for falling for CPJ’s recruiting spiel and not signing with UGA.”
So you have spoken to him, yes? Did you mention to him that, according to you, he would have been the 8th best receiver at UGA?
Big Crimson 75
April 27th, 2012
9:54 am
WnE — not to pile on — but their is no comparison between Hill & AJ Green or Julio or Megatron.
FLJ is right — those guys come a dime a dozen!!
Hill isn’t that good. His speed alone warrants him to go somewhere between 25 to 40.
Hill will go early tonight — He won’t make it past the Colts, Rams, Bills or Vikes.
As for the Falcons — @ 55, I’m pushing for a TE.
Fleener, Orson & my choice – Dwayne Allen all available tonight!!
WnE
April 27th, 2012
9:57 am
Leave it to the foul-minded “good-GT-fans” that criticize WnE to start posting sick, twisted perverted innuendo on a Sports Blog.
George Stein
April 27th, 2012
9:58 am
“Leave it to the foul-minded “good-GT-fans” that criticize WnE to start posting sick, twisted perverted innuendo on a Sports Blog.”
This is ironic on so many levels.
WnE
April 27th, 2012
10:01 am
re:
Big Crimson 75
April 27th, 2012
9:54 am
__________
Do you think Hill would have been drafted HIGHER had he played for CNS at Bama instead of for CPJ at GT, especially since he runs a 4.36 at 6-4 215lbs.?
Simple question, lets see where you stand!
WnE
April 27th, 2012
10:07 am
George Stein
April 27th, 2012
9:54 am
So you have spoken to him, yes? Did you mention to him that, according to you, he would have been the 8th best receiver at UGA?
______________
I’ll bet that Hill & his father are thinking how things might have turned out IF he would have signed with UGA instead.
They’re probably both crooning like R.Kelly right about now:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYTZeclp05g&feature=related
Wishing they could turn back the hands of time………………
Ted DiBiase
April 27th, 2012
10:07 am
You started it, Lance. I won’t give up until you are behind bars. You are depraved.
You should thank me for not giving your identity to Vad Lee’s father. He would destroy you.
But you’d probably like that, huh?
George Stein
April 27th, 2012
10:08 am
“I’ll bet that Hill & his father are thinking how things might have turned out IF he would have signed with UGA instead.”
So you were making stuff up? And you think he would have been the 8th best WR they have. Where is the difficulty here?
WnE
April 27th, 2012
10:09 am
Whether you agree with me or not Stein, at least I KEEP THINGS CLEAN and respectful!
You cannot say the same for guys that you call your friends that post under multiple names.
George Stein
April 27th, 2012
10:11 am
“Whether you agree with me or not Stein, at least I KEEP THINGS CLEAN and respectful!”
This is fundamentally untrue.
BG
April 27th, 2012
10:11 am
Hill did not have the career numbers to be a first round pick. If Hill had of played in a pro style system he would have been a top 15 pick.
BigTimeTechFan
April 27th, 2012
10:12 am
@WnE
You missed my point.
You are generally critical of CPJ saying he can’t recruit talented players to Tech because of the offense he runs.
Today is seems like your saying S Hill is very talented player but CPJ did not properly use that talent.
I think at a minimum you have to admit CPJ has recruited some good players.
My view is
S Hill is very talented
CPJ did good job of recruiting him and getting him to GT
CJP could throw a little more, but overall I think his offense is very good so I don’t think it need to change much. Hill was used well, I think he was enough of a threat that defenses had to worry about him every play. I also think there was not a much confidence in TW’s passing to Hill last year as there was when JN throw to Thomas.
I still think Thomas was a little better overall, that’s why he was 1st round pick. At the same time Hill has been putting on some pounds, still has room to grow so he may catch up to Thomas in strength.
George Stein
April 27th, 2012
10:13 am
“Hill did not have the career numbers to be a first round pick. If Hill had of played in a pro style system he would have been a top 15 pick.”
Proof?
BigTimeTechFan
April 27th, 2012
10:14 am
Do you think Hill would have been drafted HIGHER had he played for CNS at Bama instead of for CPJ at GT, especially since he runs a 4.36 at 6-4 215lbs.?
Simple question, lets see where you stand!
How many Bama Receivers went in the first round?
HighTech
April 27th, 2012
10:14 am
They’re probably both crooning like R.Kelly right about now:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYTZeclp05g&feature=related
Wishing they could turn back the hands of time………………
———————————–
R.Kelly’s blog handle is U.O.A.U.G. Funny you should mention him.
WnE
April 27th, 2012
10:15 am
re:
George Stein
April 27th, 2012
10:11 am
“Whether you agree with me or not Stein, at least I KEEP THINGS CLEAN and respectful!”
This is fundamentally untrue.
__________
When have I ever posted perverted innuendo like other so-called “good GT fans” have posted?
I talk about CFB , I avoid profanity, and I keep it clean.
I have never posted the kind of crap that I have read in this thread from wackos like DiBiase.
WnE
April 27th, 2012
10:17 am
re:
BTTF
How many Bama WRs are 6-4 215lbs and run a 4.36 forty with 40 in vertical leap?
George Stein
April 27th, 2012
10:18 am
“I talk about CFB , I avoid profanity, and I keep it clean.”
You’re not serious, are you?
WnE
April 27th, 2012
10:21 am
re:
BTTF
26 catches in 12 games at 6-4 215lbs. while running a 4.36 forty.
When you have WRs that are tall, big and run like Cone, Thomas & Hill (all under 4.40) then you as a HC/Offensive Genius have to find a way to get them ball more than CPJ did!
26 catches in 12 games is the epitome of under-utilization!
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
April 27th, 2012
10:21 am
At least the writer did an article on the draft!! The AJC is silent this AM on all fronts. Does Atlanta have a NFL team? Mark Richt can coach up talent for sure with the results seen in NYC last night. Dream Team, Ring Team, Missing Man Team, Girl Friend beating Team, I Be Drunk Team, Up In Smoke Team, and the Clarke Jailhouse Team. Come on UGA bloggers…Man up and face the facts. UGA sucks.
Ted DiBiase
April 27th, 2012
10:22 am
Lance,
You weren’t keeping clean or respectful when you sent that lewd picture message towards Vad Lee.
Maybe I ought to give Vad’s dad your identity after all.
BigTimeTechFan
April 27th, 2012
10:23 am
Lets see:
Alabama gets the following receivers in 2009
Kenny Bell Ranked 40th, 1st round pick no.
Michael Bowmen ranked 20th, 1st round pick no
Kindell Kelly ranked 26th, 1st round pick no
Kevin Norwood ranked 22, 1st round pick no
GT gets:
Stephen Hill Ranked 99, 1st round pick no