Minnesota Vikings: Holton Hill learning all he can from Xavier Rhodes

The Minnesota Vikings may have struck gold this offseason. Cornerback Holton Hill has been one of the standouts in training camp, possibly signaling a changing of the guard in the near future.

It’s a beautiful 75 degrees on a typical Summer evening in Eagan, MN. The Minnesota Vikings have just wrapped up their nearly three-hour-long practice, and the majority of players have made their way into the team’s facility. But off in the distance an undrafted rookie is just getting started.

For rookies, extra reps or advice can make all the difference. Of course, every player could always use a pointer or two, but for an undrafted free agent an extra 20 minutes a day could be the determining factor in making the final roster.

That’s why, before All-Pro cornerback Xavier Rhodes could go anywhere, undrafted rookie Holton Hill pulled him aside as practice drew to a close. As soon as Hill asked him for insight on different nuances of the game, it quickly opened Rhodes’ eyes.

“He’s hungry. He pulled me to the side last night to ask me questions. That’s the type of guy you want on this team, one who is willing to learn and can do whatever it takes to be the best. I can see it in his eyes.” Rhodes said of Hill after the first training camp practice, per Vikings.com.

Hobie Artigue of FOX9 News in Minneapolis was able to capture footage of the two cornerbacks working together after practice. It was the beginning of a bond that may be unbreakable.

It’s not as if this was a one-time occurrence, either. Hill and Rhodes have been spotted after practice numerous times, working on footwork, press techniques and overall fundamentals of the game. It seems as though the two players are forming a close relationship – and fast.

“He’s treating me like his little brother,” Hill said about Rhodes, via The Athletic. “It means a lot to have somebody like Xavier Rhodes on my side,” he added, in an interview with Zone Coverage.

In fact, Hill literally  has had Rhodes by his side the past few days. There was a video circulating Twitter recently, captioned ‘Rhodes and Hill might be joined at the hip‘, which showed the two walking together onto the field, giving each other a handshake before practice started.

Rhodes hasn’t been the only one taking notice, either. Coach Mike Zimmer has been very pleased with Hill’s willingness to learn and grow in the Vikings’ system. “We’ll continue to work with him, but he’s been receptive to everything [so far],” Zimmer said to FOX9 News. “I think he’s eager to learn.”

Star receiver Stefon Diggs also had a few things to say about the rookie:

Whether Diggs has been “barbecuing” Hill in practice may be up for debate. But there’s no question as to why Hill has received plenty of recognition from his coaching staff and fellow players. Expect to see and hear more good things about Hill in the preseason, which should ultimately earn him a spot on the 53-man roster.

NFL Spin Zone detailed Hill’s profile a few weeks ago, as well as why he would be a name to watch as training camp wore on. So far, it appears he’s living up to the hype.