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Taysom Hill

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Taysom Hill
refer to caption
Hill with the Saints in 2018
No. 7 – New Orleans Saints
Position:Utility player/quarterback
Personal information
Born: (1990-08-23) August 23, 1990 (age 34)
Pocatello, Idaho
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:221 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High school:Highland (Pocatello, Idaho)
College:BYU
Undrafted:2017
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
Career NFL statistics as of Week 13, 2019
TD–INT:0–1
Passer rating:45.4
Passing yards:99
Rushing yards:323
Receiving yards:118
Return yards:360
Total tackles:11
Total touchdowns:7
Player stats at PFR

Taysom Shawn Hill (born August 23, 1990) is an American football quarterback and utility player for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played collegiate football for the BYU Cougars.

Although listed as a backup quarterback on the official Saints depth chart, Hill has played seven different offensive skill positions and on both sides of the ball on special teams, including as the team's primary punt returner.[1] Such versatility has earned him a reputation as one of the NFL's most unique players[2][3] and the nickname "the human Swiss Army knife" by Saints' media.[4]

Early years

Hill was born and raised in Pocatello, Idaho, where he lettered in football, basketball, and track at Highland High School and graduated in 2009.[5][6] As a senior, he threw for 2,269 yards and 18 touchdowns, and rushed for 1,491 yards and 24 touchdowns, earning the All-Idaho Player of the Year, Gatorade High School Player of the Year, First Team All-State selection, and All-Region and All-Conference Player of the Year accolades. He holds the school single-season and career records for total offense.[7]

In track, Hill competed in the 200 meters and long jump. As a sophomore at the 2007 5A District IV/V/VI Regional Meet, he recorded a personal-best time of 22.5 seconds in the 200 m, placing third, and ran the fourth leg on the 4 × 200 m relay squad, helping the Rams to 1:31.41 and a first-place finish.[8] As a senior, he won the long jump event at the 2009 5A Regional Meet, with a mark of 6.85 m (22 ft 5+11⁄16 in).[9]

College career

Coming out of high school in 2009, Hill had multiple offers from programs in the West, including University of Arizona, Boise State University, Oregon State University, Washington State University, University of Utah, Stanford University, and Brigham Young University.

Heavily recruited by head coach Jim Harbaugh, Hill had originally committed to Stanford, but during his LDS church mission, he was informed that Stanford did not allow incoming freshmen to join the team until June.[further explanation needed] As a result, he decided to go to Brigham Young instead.[10][11]

In his freshman season of 2012, Hill was number two on the quarterback depth chart. He was initially brought in for special packages to utilize his athleticism in short-yardage situations. His very first play from scrimmage in college was an 18-yard touchdown pass[further explanation needed] against Washington State in the home opener. Hill wound up playing in 6 games in 2012, starting and winning two starts midseason before suffering a season-ending knee injury in the closing seconds of a victory over Utah State.[12][13]

Hill resumed starting in the 2013 season. After a tough 19–16 loss in the season opener at Virginia, he bounced back the following week against Texas, with 259 yards rushing and three touchdowns in a 40–21 win.[14] In 2014, Hill sustained a fractured leg against Utah State on October 3, ending his season. BYU lost their first game of the season that night.[15]

Injury again struck Hill at the start of the 2015 season, when he suffered a lisfranc fracture during the opener against Nebraska on September 5.[16] After the game, BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall announced that the injury would cost Hill the rest of the season.[16]

As a result, Hill was granted a medical redshirt for 2015, making him eligible to return for one final season in 2016.[17] On February 16, he announced that he would be returning to BYU in 2016 rather than pursuing options to play at another school as a graduate transfer.[18] On August 23, Hill was named the starting quarterback over sophomore Tanner Mangum, who had started after Hill's injury in 2015.[19] Hill changed his jersey number from 4 to the number 7 that his late older brother Dexter had worn.[17][20]

Late in 2016, Hill suffered a fourth season-ending injury. Against in-state rival Utah State on November 26, he went down with a hyper-extended elbow injury in the fourth quarter and was unable to finish the season.[21]

Collegiate statistics

Taysom Hill Passing
Year School Conf Class Pos G Cmp Att Pct Yds Y/A AY/A TD Int Rate
2012 BYU Ind FR QB 6 42 71 59.2 425 6.0 5.8 4 2 122.4
2013 BYU Ind SO QB 13 236 438 53.9 2,938 6.7 6.1 19 14 118.1
2014 BYU Ind JR QB 5 88 132 66.7 975 7.4 7.4 7 3 141.7
2015 BYU Ind SR QB 1 21 34 61.8 268 7.9 7.1 1 1 131.8
2016 BYU Ind SR QB 12 222 372 59.7 2,323 6.2 5.6 12 11 116.9
Career BYU 37 609 1,047 58.2 6,929 6.6 6.1 43 31 121.4

Professional career

Hill showed impressive athletic ability at BYU's pro day. His 40-yard dash of 4.44 seconds and 38.5-inch vertical jump would have finished first among all participating quarterbacks at the 2017 NFL Combine, beating Texas A&M's Trevor Knight's 4.54-second 40-yard dash and 35.5-inch vertical.[22]

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump
6 ft 1+1⁄2 in
(1.87 m) 		230 lb
(104 kg) 		4.44 s 1.61 s 4.37 s 7.03 s 38.5 in
(0.98 m)		 10 ft 2 in
(3.10 m)
All values from Pro Day[23]

Green Bay Packers

2017

Taysom Hill with the Packers

Hill was unselected in the 2017 NFL Draft, but signed with the Green Bay Packers as a free agent on May 5.[24] He appeared in three preseason games with them, completing 14 of 20 passes, throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for another,[25] before being waived on September 2, 2017.[26]

New Orleans Saints

The following day, Hill was claimed off waivers by the New Orleans Saints.[27] He was promoted to the active roster on December 3 and appeared in a total of twelve special teams plays against the Carolina Panthers. In his NFL debut, Hill recorded two special teams tackles on the Panthers' kick returner Fozzy Whittaker.[28]

2018

Hill was listed as the third-string quarterback to start 2018, but was used in a variety of positions throughout the Saints' season, including as their primary kick returner.

In their 21–18 win over the Cleveland Browns on September 16, he returned his first kick 47 yards. The next week against the Atlanta Falcons, he had his most versatile performance in his NFL career.[29] On special teams Hill returned three kicks for 64 yards and made a tackle on a punt. On offense he rushed the ball three times for 39 yards and was often used as a tight end to block defenders.[30][31] Against the New York Giants on September 30, Hill completed his first career pass in the NFL on a fake punt for 10 yards. He also rushed four times for 28 yards, continuing to line up at receiver on offense and still being the primary kick returner.[32] Against the Washington Redskins, Hill rushed five times for 24 yards, including his first career touchdown run in a 43–19 victory.[33] In the 30–20 Sunday Night Football win at Minnesota on October 28, Hill set up the Saints’ first touchdown of the game by completing a 44-yard pass to receiver Michael Thomas, for his second pass completion of the year.[34] During the Week 14 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Hill blocked a punt from Bryan Anger, which led to a touchdown that propelled the Saints to a come from behind 28–14 win, enabling them to clinch the division title. He was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week.[35][36]

He finished the year with 37 carries for 196 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns, three receptions for four yards, and passed for 64 yards and an interception. In addition, he had 14 kickoff returns for 348 net yards for a 24.86 average.[37]

In the Saints' Divisional Round game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Hill made a key play as a utility player, running for a first down on a fake punt to begin the Saints' comeback victory.[38] In the NFC Championship, against the Los Angeles Rams, Hill recorded a touchdown reception in the 26–23 overtime loss.[39]

2019

In Week 1 against the Houston Texans, Hill rushed two times for eight yards and caught one pass for nine yards and a touchdown in the 30–28 win.[40] In Week 7 against the Chicago Bears, Hill rushed two times for 21 yards and caught a screen pass for a four-yard touchdown in the 36–25 win. [41] The next week, Hill saw his playing time increase as Drew Brees returned from injury and caught a career high three passes for 63 yards and a touchdown in the 31–9 win against the Arizona Cardinals. [42] In week 13 against the Atlanta Falcons on Thanksgiving Day, Hill blocked a punt, rushed for a 30-yard touchdown, and caught a 3-yard touchdown in the 26–18 win. With his fourth touchdown reception of the year, Hill broke the record for most touchdown receptions by a quarterback in a single season.[43][44]

Personal life

Hill is the youngest of four children of Doug and Natalie Hill. He was named after Taysom Rotary Park located in his hometown of Pocatello, Idaho.[45]

Hill is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as a missionary for the church in Sydney, Australia, from 2009 to 2011. He married Emily Nixon in 2014 in the Salt Lake Temple.[46][47]

Hill's brother-in-law is former BYU and NFL linebacker David Nixon.[48]

References

  1. ^ "Taysom Hill's versatility making an impact with the Saints". ABC 4. July 30, 2019. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  2. ^ Dunnells, Chris. "Taysom Hill is one of the most versatile players in the history of the NFL". Canal Street Chronicles.
  3. ^ "Re-birth of Slash: NFL teams looking for the next Taysom Hill". ESPN.com. June 2, 2019. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  4. ^ Kilgore, Adam. "Taysom Hill is NFL's most valuable Swiss Army knife, and a sign of the league's creativity boom". Washington Post. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  5. ^ "Highland's Tayson Hill named Gatorade Idaho Football Player of the Year". Voices.IdahoStatesman.com. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  6. ^ "Blog – BYU's New Generation of Quarterbacks: Taysom Hill". Truebluecougars.com. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  7. ^ "Taysom Hill Athlete Profile". BYU Cougars Athletics. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  8. ^ "5A District IV/V/VI Regional Meet – Track & Field Meet". Athletic.net.
  9. ^ "5A Regional Meet (Dist IV, V, VI) – Track & Field Meet". Athletic.net.
  10. ^ Drew, Jay (September 7, 2012). "BYU football: Taysom Hill talks, tells real reason why he left Stanford". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  11. ^ "Stanford-bound QB changes mind on mission, signs with Cougars". The Salt Lake Tribune. April 11, 2011. Archived from the original on April 9, 2011. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  12. ^ "Knee injury shelves BYU quarterback Taysom Hill for year". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on October 12, 2012. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  13. ^ Gurney, Brandon (October 8, 2012). "BYU football: Taysom Hill out 4–6 months with LCL injury (+ video)". Deseret News. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  14. ^ "BYU clobbers No. 16 Texas". USA Today. Associated Press. September 8, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  15. ^ "Taysom Hill suffers left leg fracture". ESPN.com. Associated Press. October 3, 2014. Retrieved October 3, 2014.
  16. ^ a b Drew, Jay (September 5, 2015). "BYU football: Another season lost for star Taysom Hill". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  17. ^ a b Durkee, Travis (May 13, 2016). "BYU's Taysom Hill changing number to honor late brother". Sporting News. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  18. ^ Drew, Jay (February 16, 2016). "BYU football: Taysom Hill returning to Cougars for 2016 season". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
  19. ^ Gemmell, Kevin (August 23, 2016). "Fifth-year senior Taysom Hill named BYU starting quarterback". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  20. ^ Walker, Sean (March 26, 2016). "Taysom Hill excused from BYU spring game after brother's sudden death". KSL.com. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  21. ^ Drew, Jay. "Taysom Hill excused from BYU's spring game after brother's sudden death". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  22. ^ Walker, Sean. "Examining former BYU quarterback Taysom Hill in the NFL draft". KSL.com. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
  23. ^ http://draftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=93829&draftyear=2017&genpos=QB
  24. ^ "Packers sign five draft picks, 15 rookie free agents". Packers.com. May 5, 2017. Archived from the original on May 5, 2018.
  25. ^ "Taysom Hill NFL Stats – Season & Career Preseason Statistics". www.foxsports.com. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  26. ^ "Packers announce roster moves to reduce roster to 53". Packers.com. September 2, 2017.
  27. ^ "New Orleans Saints announce roster moves". NewOrleansSaints.com. September 5, 2017.
  28. ^ Redford, Patrick (December 4, 2017). "Saints Get Special Teams Excellence From A QB Named Taysom". Deadspin. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  29. ^ Roberts, Rachel (September 18, 2018). "Idaho native's first kick return for the New Orleans Saints nearly turns into a TD". Idaho Statesmen. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  30. ^ Katzenstein, Josh (September 24, 2018). "Dynamic Taysom Hill giving Saints offense a big spark". NOLA.com. Archived from the original on September 24, 2018. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  31. ^ Gillen, Garland (September 23, 2018). "Taysom Hill excels against the Falcons on special teams and at quarterback". Fox 8 Live. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  32. ^ Roberts, Rachel (October 2, 2018). "SIdaho native still Saints' tricky weapon: His pass on fake punt 'stole a possession'". The Idaho Statesman. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  33. ^ Dabe, Christopher (October 9, 2018). "Taysom Hill's first NFL touchdown comes with Drew Brees also on the field". The Times-Picayune. NOLA.com. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  34. ^ Sigler, John (October 29, 2018). "Sure, why not? Taysom Hill sets up TD with 44-yard pass". USA Today. Retrieved October 29, 2018.
  35. ^ Katzenstein, Josh (December 12, 2018). "Saints' Taysom Hill named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week after blocked punt vs. Buccaneers". The Times-Picayune. Archived from the original on December 12, 2018.
  36. ^ "Taysom Hill named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week". New Orleans Saints. December 12, 2018. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  37. ^ "Taysom Hill 2018 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
  38. ^ McDonald, Charles R. (January 13, 2019). "The Saints move on, thanks to Taysom Hill's fake punt". SBNation.com. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  39. ^ Judd, Brandon (January 13, 2019). "Utahns in the NFL: Taysom Hill executes fake punt, play sparks Saints' rally past Eagles". DeseretNews.com. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  40. ^ "Lutz's 58-yard field goal lifts Saints over Texans, 30-28". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 9, 2019. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  41. ^ "Bridgewater throws for 2 TDs, surging Saints top Bears 36-25". ESPN.com. Associated Press. October 20, 2019. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
  42. ^ "Saints triumphant in Brees' return, top Cardinals 31-9". ESPN.com. Associated Press. October 27, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  43. ^ Genessy, Jody (November 28, 2019). "Saints QB/WR/RB/special teams star Taysom Hill feasts on Atlanta with historic game". Deseret News. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  44. ^ "Saints beat Falcons to clinch third straight NFC South title". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 28, 2019. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  45. ^ "Taysom Hill Athlete Profile". BYU Cougars Athletics. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  46. ^ "BYU football: Quarterback Taysom Hill engaged to Emily Nixon". Deseret News.
  47. ^ "Taysom Hill Athlete Profile". BYU Athletics.
  48. ^ "BYU football: Taysom Hill born to run, within limits". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
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