Hill is fast, jumps through the roof, but can he pass pro?
| April 26, 2019 11:33AM |
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JUSTICE HILL OKLAHOMA STATE RB
Prospect Info
COLLEGE Oklahoma State
HOMETOWN Tulsa, OK
CLASS Junior
HEIGHT 5' 10"
WEIGHT 198 lbs
ARMS 31 5/8”
HANDS 9 1/2”
Prospect Grade 5.48
NFL BACKUP OR SPECIAL TEAMS POTENTIAL
Combine Results
40 Yard Dash 4.4 SECONDS
Bench Press 21 REPS
Vertical Jump 40.0 INCHES
Broad Jump 130.0 INCHES
3 Cone Drill -- SECONDS
20 Yd Shuttle -- SECONDS
60 Yd Shuttle -- SECONDS
Player Bio
Cowboys coach Mike Gundy has succeeded at Stillwater because of his ability to win recruiting battles in Oklahoma. Hill was the state's Division II Offensive Player of the Year as a senior for Tulsa's Booker T. Washington High School (198-1,948, 32 TD). Gundy did not hesitate to get Hill on the field his first year with the team, starting him in 10 of 13 games played, which allowed him to become the nation's leading freshman rusher, a Freshman All-American selection, and the Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year. He ran for 1,142 yards and six scores on 206 carries (5.5 per) that season. Hill had no sophomore slump in 2017, leading the Big 12 with 268 carries, 1,467 rushing yards (5.5 per), and 15 rushing touchdowns to earn first-team All-Big 12 honors. He was also a 2017 CoSIDA Academic All-American. Hill was a first-team All-Big 12 pick again in 2018 though his numbers were significantly lower (158-930-5.9, nine TD rushing; 13-68-5.2 receiving) due to getting fewer carries and missing two games due to a rib injury. He also chose to sit out the team's bowl game to stay healthy and prepare for the NFL Draft.
Analysis
By Lance Zierlein NFL Analyst
Draft Projection Round 3
NFL Comparison Phillip Lindsay
Overview
Hill is an undersized but excitable runner with a go-go tempo that can work for and against him on any given series. He runs tough along the interior and has the vision and agility to slip tackles, but his lack of size and explosive top-end play speed could work against him. Hill might not have the skills needed to handle third-down duties, so he could be pigeon-holed as a try-hard backup with average upside.
Strengths
Consistent play and production in all three seasons
Feet have good life and runs with a wide base
Willing to keep runs play-side in search of daylight
Limber hips to balance and recover against contact
Fast decision-maker on the move
Able to slam on brakes for sudden cuts from a full sprint
Shifty in the open field
Tight, rapid spin move to rid himself of a tackle
Runs like his hair is on fire and fights hard against the tackle
Has access to sharp, lateral cuts to bounce the run wide
Outstanding ball security with just five career fumbles
Weaknesses
Undersized by NFL standards
Running style is frenetic and lacking tempo
Tends to crowd the running lane unnecessarily
Will careen off of his own blockers in the middle of his run
Doesn't elude punishing blows in open field
Some wasted motion open-field movements and jukes
Paces too quickly and fails to run tacklers into blockers
Top-end speed appears marginal
Linebackers can cut off his angle to the corner
Just five carries of 30+ yards in 2018
Gets steamrolled by size in pass protection
