Jacob Hill could be a big small package surprise this season

[javadoc]

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.

Who was it that supposedly chased a chicken in his back yard to improve pursuit? Was it randle? Well, if nothing else, we have our chicken.

 

[retro44]

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

someone said it looks like the "C" league around here,i googled and it's in Michigan's " b" league division. It was nothing personal against anyone as I was curios when the statement was made. Actually that team was rated around 100 for all the teams combined in the state out of around 500 or so

FWIW.....The two best backs on the field that day were the two freshmen in Hill and Fredericks,both showed the "it" on their cutting and straight line speed.

Hill is just flat out dangerous when he has the ball anywhere on the field.

 

[kcsu]

He has been playing football his whole life against bigger and stronger players. At this point he has learned how to use his quickness to not only elude tackles but also how to take them. Im not saying that he doesnt need to add some size as that will help him but my sense is this kid knows how to take a hit

 

[baggerbob]

The staff wouldn't have put him out there, if they didn't think he could take the hits, he must be doing it in practice.

 

[tep624]

Wow! Kid's got speed to burn, that's for sure. Would love to see him redshirt, bulk up a bit and see what he can do in a year.

 

[Full_Rebar]

Not for anything, but bulking up might not be the best thing for him. If he gains 20 lbs and loses speed/quickness, he's not going to be effective. Strength can be improved for sure, but I'd rather take him and some other skill position guys and send them over to the track team this winter. Let the sprint coach improve their flexibility and core strength, and if anything maybe even make them faster.

 

[SWC75]

Not for anything, but bulking up might not be the best thing for him. If he gains 20 lbs and loses speed/quickness, he's not going to be effective. Strength can be improved for sure, but I'd rather take him and some other skill position guys and send them over to the track team this winter. Let the sprint coach improve their flexibility and core strength, and if anything maybe even make them faster.

I don't know how many guys seemed to slow down each year during their careers here. One problem is that they use the same running back to run inside the tackles and be an outside breakaway threat. They bulk him up for power running and he takes a lot of hits, suddenly he doesn't seem so quick. I doubt they'd use a 5-6 guy in such a capacity but Joe Morris was only 5-7. He's one guy that didn't slow down.

 

[bcubs9497]

Not for anything, but bulking up might not be the best thing for him. If he gains 20 lbs and loses speed/quickness, he's not going to be effective. Strength can be improved for sure, but I'd rather take him and some other skill position guys and send them over to the track team this winter. Let the sprint coach improve their flexibility and core strength, and if anything maybe even make them faster.

And he could add 20 pounds and retain his speed/quickness.

 

[qdawgg]

At the end of the day, if the kid can contribute he should be on the field. If that means he comes on for a few plays a half, then he comes on for a few plays a half. Players are players, it doesn't matter how tall he is or what his weight is. If he can contribute in some way he needs to be on the field.

 

[GoCuse08]

And he could add 20 pounds and retain his speed/quickness.

This ^