2021 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Kylin Hill





  • Kylin Hill, 5-11/214

  • Running Back

  • Mississippi State


  • Kylin Hill Scouting Report
    By Charlie Campbell

    Strengths:
  • Physical, violent runner
  • Tremendous stiff arm
  • Will run over defenders
  • Can pick up yards after contact
  • Superb ball security
  • Burst to the second level
  • Strong build
  • Body lean
  • Knee bend
  • Runs behind his pads
  • Contact balance
  • Keeps feet going after contact
  • Can create for himself
  • Decisive runner
  • Strong lower body
  • Improved receiving ability in 2020
  • Three-down starter ability




  • Weaknesses:
  • Can struggle with patience
  • Will need work as a blitz protector
  • Average receiving ability


  • Summary: Prior to leaving Mississippi State for Florida, head coach Dan Mullen recruited a lot of good talent to the Bulldogs, and Hill is one of the final Mullen players to move on to the NFL. Hill flashed as a sophomore in 2018 when he averaged 6.3 yards per carry for 734 yards with four touchdowns. That season, he also had 22 receptions for 176 yards and four scores. As a junior, Hill was one of the best backs in the SEC, averaging 5.6 yards per carry for 1,350 yards with 10 touchdowns. Hill could have entered the 2020 NFL Draft, but returned for his senior year. He only had 15 carries for 58 yards, but showed improved receiving ability especially against LSU and caught 23 passes for 237 yards and one score before opting out for the remainder of the season.

    There is a lot to like about Hill for the NFL, because he is a physical violent runner who really imposes his will on defenses. Hill is a hard-charging runner who has a strong build and will flat out run over tacklers. His excellent contact balance and strength make him hard to get on the ground, helping him instead to charge through tackle attempts and pick up a lot of extra yardage. To go along with the power to push through defenders, Hill has an excellent stiff arm that is very effective. Hill utilizes natural knee bend and body lean to runs behind his pads and maintains good leverage to keep himself on his feet.

    While Hill is a dangerous North-South runner, he has issues with patience and can be overly aggressive. Hill is going to need to work on waiting for lanes to open up rather than bursting into a scrum.

    In the passing game, Hill has more ability than was seen in a lot of college. He showed improvement in 2020 and looked better as a route-runner. His hands and route-running are average, but he has the upside to get better. Like all college backs, Hill also will need work for blitz protection in the NFL.

    Hill could be a draft sleeper who turns into a nice value pick. He might go in the third or fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft but end up being better than his draft slot suggests.



    Player Comparison: Mark Ingram. In terms of running style, Hill reminds me of Ingram as a downhill violent runner who can pick up yards after contact. If Hill pans out in the NFL, I think he could be a running back similar to Ingram.






    RELATED LINKS:


    2021 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s


    2021 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings


    2021 NFL Draft Scouting Reports








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