Jacob Hill could be a big small package surprise this season

[Finwad32]

Everybody should probably temper their expectations a touch. Can I see a scenario where this True Fr Walk-On contributes in the return game or possibly an offensive package at some point in his career? Yeah, it's possible because of his unique skill set, but, he's still a 5'6 150 lb. Walk-On.

It is intriguing, I'll say that.

 

[GoCuse08]

How did this kid not get a scholarship anywhere? Just because he is 5'6" or am I missing something else. Looks to have elite speed/agility/quickness/etc. Isn't Darren Sproles 5'6"? Was he recruited out of high school or was he overlooked due to his height as well?

 

[Pyle]

Everybody should probably temper their expectations a touch. Can I see a scenario where this True Fr Walk-On contributes in the return game or possibly an offensive package at some point in his career? Yeah, it's possible because of his unique skill set, but, he's still a 5'6 150 lb. Walk-On.

It is intriguing, I'll say that.

He's a walk-on because of his size but Mel Gray was only listed at 5'9", 167lbs and he played in the NFL for over a decade.

 

[Finwad32]

He's a walk-on because of his size but Mel Gray was only listed at 5'9", 167lbs and he played in the NFL for over a decade.

3 inches and 20 lbs heavier, also one of the best return men in NFL history, pretty lofty comparison.

He's a walk on FR. That being strictly due to his size is your opinion.

The kid's highlight is extremely fun to watch, but he's still got a huge hill to climb.

 

[Pyle]

3 inches and 20 lbs heavier, also one of the best return men in NFL history, pretty lofty comparison.

He's a walk on FR. That being strictly due to his size is your opinion.

The kid's highlight is extremely fun to watch, but he's still got a huge hill to climb.

I don't disagree with anything you said. My point was that you don't need prototypical size to return kicks, maybe went a little overboard with the comparison.

 

[Finwad32]

I don't disagree with anything you said. My point was that you don't need prototypical size to return kicks, maybe went a little overboard with the comparison.

I definitely see some intrigue in him being on the field. When the whole board starts to go gaga over a walk-on FR though, I like to pump the brakes. I mean some guys are talking about him being on the field this year. It would be an amazing story, but, highly unlikely.

I don't like when huge expectations get thrown out there, because ultimately, one of two things happen:

1) Something's wrong with the kid for not being as productive as Fan X thought.
2) Something's wrong with the coaches for not realizing Player X's potential.

In reality, he'll be invaluable in Skawt Team looks because he's uniquely difficult to defend. And, maybe/hopefully he sticks with it and can contribute sometime during his career. Ala Adam Harris/Clay Cleveland.

 

[TheCusian]

I definitely see some intrigue in him being on the field. When the whole board starts to go gaga over a walk-on FR though, I like to pump the brakes. I mean some guys are talking about him being on the field this year. It would be an amazing story, but, highly unlikely. I don't like when huge expectations get thrown out there, because ultimately, one of two things happen: 1) Something's wrong with the kid for not being as productive as Fan X thought. 2) Something's wrong with the coaches for not realizing Player X's potential. In reality, he'll be invaluable in Skawt Team looks because he's uniquely difficult to defend. And, maybe/hopefully he sticks with it and can contribute sometime during his career. Ala Adam Harris/Clay Cleveland.

Not disagreeing - but Shafer compared him to Garrett Wolfe (3rd round pick from Northern Illinois - who he coached).

I'd pump the breaks - but be ready for the gas should the kid put on some weight .

 

[jgeorge322]

I definitely see some intrigue in him being on the field. When the whole board starts to go gaga over a walk-on FR though, I like to pump the brakes. I mean some guys are talking about him being on the field this year. It would be an amazing story, but, highly unlikely.

I don't like when huge expectations get thrown out there, because ultimately, one of two things happen:

1) Something's wrong with the kid for not being as productive as Fan X thought.
2) Something's wrong with the coaches for not realizing Player X's potential.

In reality, he'll be invaluable in Skawt Team looks because he's uniquely difficult to defend. And, maybe/hopefully he sticks with it and can contribute sometime during his career. Ala Adam Harris/Clay Cleveland.

who needs RW.

 

[retro44]

3 inches and 20 lbs heavier, also one of the best return men in NFL history, pretty lofty comparison.

He's a walk on FR. That being strictly due to his size is your opinion.

The kid's highlight is extremely fun to watch, but he's still got a huge hill to climb.

Huge Hill to climb...LOL.

But the kid abused the defense at times during the scrimmage and I think it was Steve Clark who giving him props after the scrimmage another chimed in said he has been doing this at camp all week. Players are impressed also

 

[Finwad32]

Huge Hill to climb...LOL.

But the kid abused the defense at times during the scrimmage and I think it was Steve Clark who giving him props after the scrimmage another chimed in said he has been doing this at camp all week. Players are impressed also

Maybe he's the exception and not the rule. It would be awesome if he was, that would be nothing but positive for us. Maybe he is a diamond in the rough.

Would love to see a spark plug in the Return game or in open space from any position offensively. Still a walk on, still a FR, still a buck and a half soaking wet and still listed as 5'6.

 

[kcsu]

I think he sees the field this year. Kid has gifts that you cant teach. Vision, feet, speed

 

[CaliCuse]

Dave Meggett light?

I agree with all this kid is special and the coaches need to prepare him for PT in a serious manner Since the Syracuse ST coaches don't believe in having an up back in front of the punt return players cut off the opposition gunnerHill is quick enough to get out of the path of said gunner. I personally think that not protecting the PR "kid is stupid"Floyd Little would be cut down and or fumble at the PR part of the game. Protection is crucial for success.

10.7 hundred meters...is that fast enough

I've never been up on the 100meter times as being just good or outstanding.

 

[CaliCuse]

I think he sees the field this year. Kid has gifts that you cant teach. Vision, feet, speed

I sometimes think that football coaches aren't the sharpest spoons in the drawer. Thiss kid has a huge upside in the ST 's part of the game.

 

[SWC75]

At 5'6" he has an amazing ability to stop and come back to top speed in just a few steps. His cutting ability in the open field is amazing. I cans him as a big time return player for both puts and kicks. Look for yourself.

He looks like a football player, not just a speedster. And boy, can he turn on a dime. Interesting player who will bare watching. (That doesn't make him Darren Sproles.)

 

[CaliCuse]

He looks like a football player, not just a speedster. And boy, can he turn on a dime. Interesting player who will bare watching. (That doesn't make him Darren Sproles.)

Until the kid is given a chance and does what we think he is capable of doing the job,he is just a kid with "potential"

 

[Cuse_Albs]

Jacob Hill = Trindon Holliday

At least lets hope without the injuries.

 

[Frozen]

 

[bcubs9497]

He looks like a football player, not just a speedster. And boy, can he turn on a dime. Interesting player who will bare watching. (That doesn't make him Darren Sproles.)

If this kid were 2" taller, he'd be sporting 40 D1 offers.

 

[RF2044]

If this kid were 2" taller, he'd be sporting 40 D1 offers.

I think there's some validity to that. But bottom line: kid looks like he has elite wheels [or close to it], tremendous elusiveness, and our ST return game has lacked playmaking pop for a LONG time.

That we were able to land this kid as a preferred walk on is great roster management. You can never have enough athletes.

Please note, I'm not implying that this kid will definitely have a big impact, nor that he'll be a special teams ace in the mold of Jim Turner, Qadry, Spotwood, Harrison, or Mo Jackson. But that film suggests he's got potential. Whether he is too "small" to contribute at any other capacity beyond special teams is irrelevant to me, given that he's a walk on. We need an infusion of athletes on special teams to make our return game more potent. Hill could prove to be a steal.

Leave no rock unturned.

 

[bcubs9497]

I think there's some validity to that. But bottom line: kid looks like he has elite wheels [or close to it], tremendous elusiveness, and our ST return game has lacked playmaking pop for a LONG time.

That we were able to land this kid as a preferred walk on is great roster management. You can never have enough athletes.

Please note, I'm not implying that this kid will definitely have a big impact, nor that he'll be a special teams ace in the mold of Jim Turner, Qadry, Spotwood, Harrison, or Mo Jackson. But that film suggests he's got potential. And we need an infusion of athletes on special teams to make our return game more potent. Hill could prove to be a steal.

Leave no rock unturned.

Agreed. A bit more time to evaluate him in practice, and maybe redshirt him to get a bit more weight. I will admit that my initial reaction after seeing his highlights a few minutes ago was "Holy !@#"

 

[Jasoncuse]

Jacob Hill = Trindon Holliday

At least lets hope without the injuries.

Holliday has world class speed. If this kid has half that, he could contribute.

 

[Rocco]

We need someone who can scare the living shitt out of opposing teams' special teams coordinators. I hope this kid gets a chance at that. You cannot teach that speed and absurd quickness; however, on the other hand, if he gets hit by a 215 pound LB running at him while returning a kick, he might die. He needs to gain some weight and work on building some sort of cushion to be able to take those blows.

I am blown away though. Love that speed.

 

[DownTheField]

If this kid were 2" taller, he'd be sporting 40 D1 offers.

I agree and I think that's true about a lot of our recruits/players. I don't think that was the case 7-10 years ago. No matter what the recruiting rankings say, our talent and team speed keeps improving each year.

 

[retro44]

Maybe he's the exception and not the rule. It would be awesome if he was, that would be nothing but positive for us. Maybe he is a diamond in the rough.

Would love to see a spark plug in the Return game or in open space from any position offensively. Still a walk on, still a FR, still a buck and a half soaking wet and still listed as 5'6.

The kid broke some tackles on his long T.D. run down the sideline that still leaves me wondering how he cleared that mess of players. These players are a hell of a lot better than the "B" league players from Detroit he was used to be playing against.

 

[Finwad32]

The kid broke some tackles on his long T.D. run down the sideline that still leaves me wondering how he cleared that mess of players. These players are a hell of a lot better than the "B" league players from Detroit he was used to be playing against.

I get it, you like the walk-on. Who called them "B" league?