I am invoking the 'Prince Amukamara Rule' when choosing a player for today's 2012 NFL Draft Prospect Profile. That's because if this player happens to still be on the board at No. 32 in the NFL Draft this April New York Giants general manager Jerry Reese could well invoke the Jerry Reese 'Best Player Available Regardless of Position Rule.'
Today, we are going to discuss Georgia Tech wide receiver Stephen Hill, who might well have pushed himself into the top 25 of the draft with a stellar performance at his Pro Day.
After the Pro Day Tony Pauline of SI.com wrote that "Hill was flawless during pass-catching drills, running clean routes and doing an exceptional job catching the ball. The buzz continues to build around Hill, as several NFL decision-makers, as well as directors of college scouting for teams around the league, openly stated this morning that he ranks as a first-round choice and should be off the board by pick 25."
In a pre-combine scouting report predicting that Hill would be a second- to third-round selection, DraftTek stated:
"In 2011, Hill only caught 28 passes in Georgia Tech's triple option offense; however, his receptions resulted in a gaudy 820 yards, which led the nation in yards per catch at 29.3. The concern is that Hill remains a raw prospect, as the Rambling Wreck are not known for their sophistication in the aerial game. ... Regardless, scouts will fall in love with Hill's size and playmaking ability."
Take Pauline's report into account and it seems like that is exactly what has happened with the 6-foot-5, 209-pound Hill, who tied Travis Benjamin of Miami and Chris Owusu of Stanford for the fastest 40-yard dash at the Scouting Combine, a 4.36.
The scouting report posted on NFL.com also did not list Hill as a first-round type selection, but did hint at his potential. NFL.com wrote: "If the rest of his game can catch up to the ability he shows in the deep passing game, Hill could be the sleeper of this year's draft."
In his scouting report on Hill, Wes Bunting of the National Football Post had this to say:
"Has a unique skill set, can pluck off his frame, track the football and is the next big time talent from the Georgia Tech program. Is going to need some time to develop, but can come in and track football vertically early on. Has a lot of upside to his game and skill set says he's an NFL starter."
Is Hill worth a Jason Pierre-Paul style roll of the dice by the Giants if he is sitting there in the first round this April? The speed and unique athletic ability tell you he is a guy who will intrigue Reese and Giants Director of College Scouting Marc Ross.
Stephen Hill Profile
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 209 pounds
School: Georgia Tech
2011 Stats: 28 catches, 820 yards, 29.3 yards per catch, 5 touchdowns