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Mississippi State RB Kylin Hill takes risk, leaps to 2021 NFL Draft

By Cory Kinnan

Oct 12, 2019; Knoxville, TN, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Kylin Hill (8) runs the ball during the second half of a game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 12, 2019; Knoxville, TN, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Kylin Hill (8) runs the ball during the second half of a game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /
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2021 NFL Draft
2021 NFL Draft prospect Kylin Hill. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /

Kylin Hill takes a risk as he leaps to the 2021 NFL Draft

A potential top-five running back in the 2021 NFL Draft is now off to the 2021 NFL Draft after joining Pitt safety Paris Ford as the second player to opt out this week. Mississippi State running back Kylin Hill, after playing just three games under Mike Leach this season, has opted out of the season in order to train for the NFL Scouting Combine and beyond.

Hill returned to school after initially declaring for the 2020 NFL Draft after Leach was hired, figuring he had the opportunity to display his ability as a receiver out of the backfield. This plan, however, may have come back to bite Hill as the new offense at Mississippi State did not suit his talents as a ball carrier.

Hill’s reasoning for opting out is out of safety for his family, who stated has been hit with the ongoing pandemic. Not only has his mother contracted the virus, but his brother had brain surgery as well. As he trains for the 2021 NFL Draft, Hill will also look to be a provider for his family.

Looking at Hill’s collegiate career

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Hill will now end his collegiate career with 2,535 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns, averaging just about five and a half yards per carry. Additionally he caught 67 passes in his career for 631 yards receiving and six touchdowns out of the backfield.

Coming off of a career year in 2019 with 1,350 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, Hill may have been better suited for the 2020 NFL Draft. Now after a 2020 season where he tallied more catches than carries, Hill may have more questions to answer than he did the previous year. He finished his 2020 campaign, three games in, with just 58 yards rushing on 15 carries, but added 237 yards and a touchdown on 23 catches as a receiver out of the backfield.

What is Hill’s 2021 NFL Draft outlook?

Unfortunately for Hill, he more than likely did not do enough to separate himself in order to land as a day-two pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. However, he may very well finish as a top-five back on this writer’s big board by the time the process ends.

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He was named to the Reese’s Senior Bowl Top 250 Watchlist, so we may get one more look at Hill in live action before the draft rolls around in April. Given his athletic ability, his play strength, and versatility, Hill has potential to be a big time pay off for a day-three asset.

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