Watch college football. See guys I like. Put them in my notes app on the phone. Tell you about them 6-8 months later. There’s a reason we don’t charge you to read this site, folks!
Video
Analysis
From Lance Zierlein at NFL.com:
OverviewHill 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
My Two Cents
- Hey, he fits the physical profile Data laid out for running backs in the Reid/Nagy offense!
- This kid is explosive. I’m sure all of Zierlein’s criticisms above are well-founded but the few times I saw him on the field I just marveled at his physical tools. He’ll be a weapon at the next level.
