Over the subsequent few months, we’ll be breaking down all the rookies added by the Jets through the draft and as undrafted free brokers. Right this moment, we proceed with a take a look at offensive lineman Xavier Hill.
The 24-year previous Hill is listed at 6’4” and 320 kilos and was undrafted out of Colorado. Hill additionally spent two years with Memphis, the place he earned all-AAC first crew honors in 2024, and three years at LSU.
Hill was a three-star highschool recruit, whose faculty profession started at LSU. Nonetheless, after three seasons, he had solely seen motion in seven video games, of which he began two.
Regardless of not faring too badly in his restricted appearances at LSU – he gave up one sack and had no penalties in nearly 200 offensive snaps – Hill opted to switch to Memphis for an opportunity to begin.
Over the subsequent two seasons, he began 26 straight video games and was named as an all-AAC first teamer after the 2024 season.
The ultimate season of Hill’s faculty profession was at Colorado, after he transferred as soon as once more. He performed in 11 of 12 video games, beginning 10, for the Buffaloes after which posted a powerful professional day exercise after the season.
Some sources felt Hill had an opportunity to be drafted however he was finally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Jets after not being chosen in April.
Let’s transfer onto some extra in-depth evaluation of what Hill brings to the desk, primarily based on in-depth analysis and movie research.
Hill has strong measurement and sufficient size and put collectively a strong set of measurables throughout his professional day exercise.
He ran a 5.00 within the 40-yard sprint, with a 30-inch vertical and 106-inch broad leap. Whereas his brief shuttle was under common, he additionally posted a great three cone drill for his measurement and added 26 bench press reps.
Versatility is Hill’s fundamental calling card as he began video games at each deal with positions and left guard throughout his faculty profession.
On the NFL stage, he’s anticipated to maneuver inside and he’s been practising in any respect three inside spots for the previous few years, regardless that he solely performed 5 snaps at proper guard and none at middle throughout his faculty profession.
Hill’s cross safety numbers have been strong, particularly in his final two seasons as he gave up a low stress price. He did give up three sacks final season, although.
When taking part in on the sting, he generally is a vulnerable to hurry rushes as a result of he’s a bit laborious at getting again into his stance.
On the within, he was usually tasked with being the spare man at having to react and assist out his fellow linemates.
Hill’s run blocking grades have been pretty inconsistent over the course of his profession, however his measurement could be an asset within the working recreation.
He’s typically strong at angling his man off and staying on his block and has proven that he’s able to making blocks on the transfer and in area.
Hill is an effective choice to run behind in brief yardage conditions as he has a great knack for creating lanes and is tough to penetrate in opposition to.
Hill’s groups have had some good success within the display screen recreation over the previous few seasons, though the most effective performs usually got here in conditions the place he stayed in to dam somewhat than leaking downfield.
When he does get downfield, Hill can are likely to look a bit sluggish and lacks agility regardless of his strong athletic numbers, so defensive gamers can usually keep away from him in area. Nonetheless, if he will get his goal in his sights he can typically be efficient within the display screen recreation.
Hill is a participant whose approach has been praised by his coaches prior to now. Right here’s a great instance of how he has an understanding of angles and shows stability, persistence and leverage to seal his man off.
In cross safety, he can have some technical points. His palms could be late and poor footwork can have an effect on his anchor.
Nonetheless, he’s a battler and when he reveals focus and dedication he can deal with edge rushers properly. This was a powerful rep that got here one play after he had simply obtained overwhelmed.
On-field self-discipline has by no means been a priority with Hill, who had simply six offensive penalties in his six-year faculty profession. His solely penalty final season was for holding on a working play.
Hill’s major particular groups function throughout his profession has been as a blocker on the placekicking unit, throughout which era he has had one particular groups penalty. He additionally hung out on the punt safety unit in 2022.
As famous, Hill has performed a number of positions and his coaches have all praised his potential to select up techniques.
Throughout his faculty profession he additionally acquired recognition on the SEC educational honor roll and Large 12 convention educational honors.
Hill usually needed to learn and react as a blocker, each by way of choosing up blitzes or giving assist in cross safety, and choosing up a second task after an preliminary combo block. His consciousness was typically good in these conditions, however there have been occasional lapses.
He has proven over the course of his profession that he’s able to choosing up stunts and video games successfully, as he shows good persistence.
Hill was seen as a great chief at Colorado, who set a great instance along with his approach and work ethic. He acknowledged on his arrival at Colorado that their veteran management was missing and that he’d must step up in that space.
On the sector, he reveals toughness and aggression by way of going searching for work and in a few of his ending, though this explicit play didn’t acquire any yards.
Nonetheless, there have been instances the place he was gearing down on the finish of a play, so coaches could should be looking out for indicators of poor conditioning or effort.
Hill solely missed one recreation (and got here off the bench in one other) over the previous three seasons and that was because of an undisclosed harm at Colorado.
Hill’s versatility and the actual fact he’s performed in three completely different techniques throughout his faculty profession ought to allow him to be adaptable to try to slot in with the Jets.
He has been a teammate of present Jets gamers Cade York and Mason Taylor whereas with LSU.
Though he wasn’t essentially a dominant faculty participant, Hill was fairly constant and dependable throughout his collegiate profession. Whereas the expertise stage he’ll be dealing with will leap up on the NFL stage, if he could be the identical type of constant performer on the professional stage, maybe he has an NFL future.
Hill is the type of undrafted free agent groups like to herald to fill out their offensive line room in camp, as a result of they’ll transfer round if wanted. Whether or not he can present sufficient to stay of their plans as a utility depth possibility is as much as him.
Realistically, he’s an excessive long-shot to be something greater than somebody who scrapes their means onto the observe squad, although.
