LSU Tigers running back Jeremy Hill (33) runs the ball in for a touchdown against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
LSU Tigers running back Jeremy Hill finished his redshirt sophomore season on an extremely high note, as he wrecked the Iowa Hawkeyes to the tune of 216 rushing yards and two scores on 18 carries and was the difference in LSU’s 21-14 bowl game win. Hill is an inconsistent back who will either look incredible and powerful or disappointing an overrated, and his performance against Iowa was certainly a big-time display that belongs in the former category.
Hill was almost booted off of LSU following a nasty off-field incident in the offseason after punching someone in a parking lot, but Les Miles left Hill’s future up to a team vote that was unsurprisingly in the running back’s favor. Miles’s- and his teammates’s- confidence was rewarded, as Hill had an incident-free season and was a huge part of the Tigers success in 2013 with a whopping 1,401 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns on 203 carries.
It was reported last week that Hill would likely stay at LSU for his junior year to hone his craft, enjoy college, gun for more college success, and reward Miles. However, the star back has announced on Twitter that he will declare for the 2014 NFL Draft instead, and I wonder if he received some strongly positive advice that influenced his decision.
Hill isn’t a great running back prospect, but he’s a solid one who has intriguing upside. He’s a bit hit-or-miss, but I think it’s too tough to ignore the monstrous stats he put up this season, as well as his potential. I think he should have stayed at LSU to improve his game, but he will most likely be a third-round pick, which is definitely good for an RB.