Now that the 2017 NFL draft has come and gone, the Green Bay Packers have the freedom to add any undrafted free agents they want. One of the most recent additions is one that could end up being a bit of a steal if everything goes just right. Taysom Hill, the former quarterback from the BYU Cougars was recently signed and added the roster of young players who were in the Packers’ latest minicamp.
Hill was once a Heisman Trophy candidate
It’s been a difficult slide for the Green Bay Packers’ latest signee. Hill was once considered one of the best quarterbacks in the country.
There was some talk he was going to make people forget about former Packers and Cougars QB Ty Detmer. Maybe he would even be able to make people forget Jim McMahon.
Hill has a nice combination of arm strength and mobility (sound familiar?) The quarterback started his career out strong in limited action, completing 42 of 71 passes for 425 yards and four touchdowns. He also carried 55 times for 336 yards in six games before he suffered a season-ending knee injury. That injury was, unfortunately, a sign of things to come.
In Hills sophomore season, the newest Packers player put together the season that started all the hype, throwing for 2,938 yards and 19 touchdowns, while also rushing for 1,344 yards and another 10 TDs.
Those numbers included a game where he ran for a whopping 259 yards and three touchdowns. The quarterback (and it bears pointing out again he’s a quarterback) ranks third in BYU history in rushing yards for a season. He’s also fifth in school history in offensive yards in a season.
Injuries took their toll most notably after his junior season, where he suffered a leg fracture and ligament tear against Utah State.
After a medical redshirt year, Hill’s senior year come up with 2,2926 total yards and 20 total touchdowns. Neither of those numbers was nearly as eye-popping as what we saw from Hill before the numerous bumps, bruises, and broken bones.
Strengths
Aaron Rodgers has made a career in Green Bay out of having a good arm, but the ability to escape pressure and even gain some yards with his legs.
Hill is in the Rodgers mold in that regard, though clearly doesn’t have the same talent level. It’s been said Hill has some serious upper body strength which makes him even harder to tackle.
Weaknesses
While the Packers might have gotten a diamond in the rough when it comes to a backup quarterback but his arm strength is probably never going to be NFL quality. If there’s one thing coaches are most concerned with, it’s that Hill looks to run a bit too much. That can lead to big scrambles, and big losses on sacks when there isn’t green in front of him.
