Kylin

Hill

It was originally reported on October 27 that Hill (5'11) would be opting out of the remainder of this season, but nothing was made official. The senior running back announced his decision Tuesday, and now he’ll begin the process of preparing for the NFL. Last season Hill rushes for 1,350 yards and ten touchdowns, averaging 5.6 yards per carry while also catching 23 passes for 237 yards and another score. Projected to be a Day 2 selection in next spring’s draft, Hill was also impactful off the field as this summer he led the successful campaign to change Mississippi’s state flag.

Hill (5'11/215) has not played in either of the Bulldogs’ last two games, due to what was described as “personal issues.” The senior has apparently suited up for the Bulldogs for the last time, with it being reported that he is expected to leave the program and begin preparations for the NFL Draft. Hill had his best season in 2019, when he rushed for 1,350 yards and ten touchdowns with an average of 5.6 yards per carry. Hill has also improved as a receiver as well, as he caught 23 passes for 237 yards and a touchdown this season. In 2018 he caught 22 passes for 176 yards and four touchdowns. Hill projects to be a Day 2 selection in next spring’s draft.

Hill (5'11"/215) was held out of Mississippi State’s last game against Texas A&M and now following a bye week there appears to be no change in his status. When asked about it, HC Mike Leach said “No update. He’s still unavailable.” Four-star freshman RB Jo’quavious Marks handled the first-team work last game and will likely see the lion’s share of carries for as long as Hill is away from the team. The Bulldogs head to Alabama to take on the SEC leading Crimson Tide on Saturday.

Hill (5'11/215) missed MSU’s last game against Texas A&M with what was an undisclosed issue that has now been revealed to be of a personal nature. When asked about the senior running back’s status, HC Mike Leach said he is “Unavailable, dealing with personal issues.” Four-star freshman RB Jo’quavious Marks handled the first-team work last game and will likely see the lion’s share of carries for as long as Hill is away from the team. Mississippi State has a bye week before taking on SEC powerhouse Alabama on Halloween.

One week after HC Mike Leach said following the Bulldogs’ 24-2 loss at Kentucky that not everyone was buying into his program, the team’s most talented offensive player will be on the sideline. Hill (5'11/215) is reportedly serving a one-game suspension due to his actions in the aftermath of that defeat. The senior running back, who suffered a concussion earlier this season, was a first team all-SEC performer in 2019. Hill’s absence opens up opportunities for players such as Jo’quavious Marks, Dillon Johnson and Kareem Walker.

Absolutely nothing was working up front for Mississippi State. Inside, outside, and every which way, Kentucky’s defense had an answer for Hill (5'11/215) on his handful of carries. HC Mike Leach instead took to “extending” the run game by flipping out the ball to Hill on screens, swings, checkdowns, etc. with some moderate success. Unfortunately, absolutely nothing else got going for the Bulldogs, so the solid baseline Hill provided them was all for naught. Hill also entered this game after being shaken up by a head injury last week, so it’s possible Hill was not at 100% capacity in this one.

Hill (5'11/215) being available to play after having to leave last week’s loss to Arkansas with a head injury is good news for the Bulldogs, as he has been a tough matchup for opposing defenses as both a runner and a pass-catcher out of the backfield. Should Hill have any lingering issues from that head injury Dillon Johnson would be next in line at running back.

Aside from QB KJ Costello, Hill (5'11/215) is the Bulldogs’ most important offensive player. In the opener, he absolutely shredded LSU through both the air and ground. Unfortunately, a nasty collision in last Saturday’s game forced him off the field. While it hurt not having Hill in that game, the good news is that it seems he is already close to playing form again and should be good to go against a sneaky Kentucky team. Backup QB Will Rogers is also expected to be active.

Hill (5'11/215) was on the receiving end of a hard hit, and after being evaluated in the medical tent he was seen on the sideline without his helmet. That doesn’t bode well for the senior running back’s chances of making a return, as team trainers usually take a player’s helmet after they’ve been pulled due to a head injury. Dillon Johnson is next in line at running back for the Bulldogs, who will throw the ball plenty in Mike Leach’s “Air Raid” offense.

This was Hill’s first game in Mike Leach’s Air Raid, but boy did he look like old-hat in the system. Hill (5'11"/215) was KJ Costello’s most reliable target, and he gifted his quarterback a ton of YAC yardage. His most explosive play of the afternoon came on a little simple wheel right along the sideline late in the third quarter. Hill reeled the pass in and sprinted 75 yards for the touchdown. NFL scouts are loving all the receiving work Hill got today and will continue to get in Leach’s system.