As a GT alum you would think I would be all about Stephen Hill. Yet look at his stats from his three college seasons.
He finished his career with 49 receptions for 1,248 yards and nine touchdowns.
That's not exactly lighting it up. Now I will agree GT hardly runs an offense that favors the pass. Exactly the opposite really as GT runs the triple option (damn well I might add). Yet other WRs (namely Demaryius Thomas) have put up big numbers in the same offense.
Thomas stats from three seasons at GT: 120 catches for 2,339 yards and 14 TDs.
So you see why I was shocked he was drafted in the second round. Like former Panthers safety Mike Mitchell, Hill turned a fast 40 time (4.36) at the combine into a cash windfall. At 6'4" he is red zone threat while also having the speed to stretch the defense. So it's easy to hope this kid can finally maximize his potential on the field. What got me over the hump this time though was this comment from our HC:
Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera thinks Stephen Hill ready to help | The Charlotte Observer The Charlotte Observer
“He had been a second-round pick. He had no assumptions, no entitlement. He ran all scout team for us. He ran hard, gave great looks,” Rivera said during the final day of the NFL owners meetings. “You watch a guy perform who could very easily dog it, and he didn’t. You saw him grow.”
Well that's not exactly the vote of confidence the authors title suggests. But it was enough for me. Maybe Hill will continue to be like Mitchell and resurrect his career in Carolina. Hey as a current bandwagoner I can be homeristic in March.
Keep pounding!