'08 NJ ATH Will "The Thrill" Hill (Florida Verbal)

[tchris555]

i wonder how good of a corner back Lebron James would be. That WR better get some serious seperation cause when Lebron gets anywhere near the ball it'd be his. Plus he'd probably be able to jam the $%#% out of a guy.

 

[Katzenboyer]

I can name a few very good NFL corners 6'1" and above off the top of my head who may not have the name of say a Champ Bailey, but are great NFL corners...

Charles Tillman CB Chicago Bears
Nnamdi Asomugha CB Oakland Raiders
Anthony Henry CB Dallas Cowboys
Ike Taylor CB Pittsburg Steelers
Rashaen Mathis CB Jacksonville Jaguars
Charles Woodson CB Green Bay Packers
Chris McAllister CB Baltimore Ravens
Al Harris CB Green Bay Packers
Antonio Cromarties CB San Diego Chargers
Lenny Walls CB Kansas City Chiefs

I am sure there are some I am forgetting, but there alone are some very talented NFL CBs. I think in general people are _far_ too concerned with the measurables. Its this simple can the kid play football? Can he play his position well? If you can answer yes to both of those questions then who cares if he is 5'7" or 6'5", he's going to do fine with the right coaching to help him develop at the next level.

While I take exception to some of the players on your list -- Cromartie, Walls as great corners? -- I have always said that there can be good players at the position that are taller than 6'.

I'm not saying that if you're 6'0 or over, you shouldn't play corner. That's not what I'm saying at all. My argument was twofold:

1.) On the whole, the skillset for cornerback favors players that aren't tall and lanky (and Hill, at 6'2", 180, is tall and lanky) but compact, quick, and fluid. If he can be these things at 6'2", then I'm all for him getting a shot as a cover corner.

2.) With Hill at 6'2", 180, and an explosive athlete from all we've heard about him so far, he'd be better suited at another position -- say WR -- to enable the ball to get to him more often. There's no doubt in my mind that if Reggie Bush was recruited as an athlete, he could have easily made a great CB at USC because of his unbelievable athletic ability. But that would have limited the touches per game he'd get, and he'd be completely underused on the defensive side of the ball.

I'm ALL FOR bringing in defensive playmakers on the defensive side of the ball -- in fact, we need them. However, I believe Hill's skillset is one that is screaming to be on the offensive side of the ball.

 

[reneg]

While I take exception to some of the players on your list -- Cromartie, Walls as great corners? -- I have always said that there can be good players at the position that are taller than 6'.

I'm not saying that if you're 6'0 or over, you shouldn't play corner. That's not what I'm saying at all. My argument was twofold:

1.) On the whole, the skillset for cornerback favors players that aren't tall and lanky (and Hill, at 6'2", 180, is tall and lanky) but compact, quick, and fluid. If he can be these things at 6'2", then I'm all for him getting a shot as a cover corner.

2.) With Hill at 6'2", 180, and an explosive athlete from all we've heard about him so far, he'd be better suited at another position -- say WR -- to enable the ball to get to him more often. There's no doubt in my mind that if Reggie Bush was recruited as an athlete, he could have easily made a great CB at USC because of his unbelievable athletic ability. But that would have limited the touches per game he'd get, and he'd be completely underused on the defensive side of the ball.

I'm ALL FOR bringing in defensive playmakers on the defensive side of the ball -- in fact, we need them. However, I believe Hill's skillset is one that is screaming to be on the offensive side of the ball.

Some valid points, however you have to consider the talent we have on that side of the ball and if we have a legitimate shot at Dan Buckner and Michael Floyd (also take into consideration Little and Kamara in this class we'd be beyond loaded at WR and somebody is going to lack touches) like many think we do then would it really hurt to get a super star on the defensive side of the ball? I am not saying he would be a bad WR by any means, but we do not have a proven ball hawk on defense and until we do I am all for him playing CB with the WR talent we are bringing in.

 

[Katzenboyer]

Some valid points, however you have to consider the talent we have on that side of the ball and if we have a legitimate shot at Dan Buckner and Michael Floyd (also take into consideration Little and Kamara in this class we'd be beyond loaded at WR and somebody is going to lack touches) like many think we do then would it really hurt to get a super star on the defensive side of the ball? I am not saying he would be a bad WR by any means, but we do not have a proven ball hawk on defense and until we do I am all for him playing CB with the WR talent we are bringing in.

I think out of that list, Little is best-suited to play on the defensive side of the ball -- either as a safety at his current size, or bulked up and as an OLB. However, it seems he will be a WR for the Irish.

But your point about ballhawks on defense is a good one. We need some guys back there to make plays.

 

[Z-Bo]

Some valid points, however you have to consider the talent we have on that side of the ball and if we have a legitimate shot at Dan Buckner and Michael Floyd (also take into consideration Little and Kamara in this class we'd be beyond loaded at WR and somebody is going to lack touches) like many think we do then would it really hurt to get a super star on the defensive side of the ball? I am not saying he would be a bad WR by any means, but we do not have a proven ball hawk on defense and until we do I am all for him playing CB with the WR talent we are bringing in.

lol.. that's NEVER a bad thing...

 

[reneg]

lol.. that's NEVER a bad thing...

I never said it was a bad thing, I used that statement to counter his argument of 'lacking' touches. I was merely stating we had a lot of talent on the offensive side of the ball and we will still be getting the ball in playmakers hands on offense. However we still don't have proven playmakers on defense at the college level.

 

[benneboy]

While I take exception to some of the players on your list -- Cromartie, Walls as great corners? -- I have always said that there can be good players at the position that are taller than 6'.

I'm not saying that if you're 6'0 or over, you shouldn't play corner. That's not what I'm saying at all. My argument was twofold:

1.) On the whole, the skillset for cornerback favors players that aren't tall and lanky (and Hill, at 6'2", 180, is tall and lanky) but compact, quick, and fluid. If he can be these things at 6'2", then I'm all for him getting a shot as a cover corner.

2.) With Hill at 6'2", 180, and an explosive athlete from all we've heard about him so far, he'd be better suited at another position -- say WR -- to enable the ball to get to him more often. There's no doubt in my mind that if Reggie Bush was recruited as an athlete, he could have easily made a great CB at USC because of his unbelievable athletic ability. But that would have limited the touches per game he'd get, and he'd be completely underused on the defensive side of the ball.

I'm ALL FOR bringing in defensive playmakers on the defensive side of the ball -- in fact, we need them. However, I believe Hill's skillset is one that is screaming to be on the offensive side of the ball.

Antonio Cromartie (6'3") is going to be a stud. He was a first round draft pick as a junior corner who never started a game his last year of college at FSU due to injury. I think people realize the potential of someone that big with the speed and quickness of a smaller guy.

 

[IRISHMAN]

i agree if ND lands this guy we should put him at CB. 6'2 WRs with speed and great athletic ability are a dime a dozen but a CB with those stats are very rare. i would love to have a antonio cromartie type CB on our defense.

 

[brownkj002]

Antonio Cromartie (6'3") is going to be a stud. He was a first round draft pick as a junior corner who never started a game his last year of college at FSU due to injury. I think people realize the potential of someone that big with the speed and quickness of a smaller guy.

I went to the UF/FSU game at UF are year ago and I watched Cromartie at halftime while the teams warmed back up. On one good leg he was throwing 50 yard ropes back to the guys punting. He then switched hands and was throwing the ball back with a spiral (a little more air under it) over 50 yards. My buddy and I were amazed. He is one hell of an athlete. I don't care where ND puts Hill if they get him just as long as they get him.

 

[Katzenboyer]

Antonio Cromartie (6'3") is going to be a stud. He was a first round draft pick as a junior corner who never started a game his last year of college at FSU due to injury. I think people realize the potential of someone that big with the speed and quickness of a smaller guy.

"is going to be a stud", "wait til he realizes his potential", "you won't believe how good he can be"...that's all crap. Raw ability means a lot, but unless you harness it and use it on the field, it means jack squat.

Cromartie may have all the athletic ability in the world, but he didn't play most of his last year at FSU and has contributed a whopping total of 18 tackles, no interceptions, no sacks, no forced fumbles, no fumble recoveries for the San Diego Chargers this year.

Yes, he's a rookie. Yes, he's on a very good defense with little playing time to spare.

But all the athletic ability in the world will get you jack shit if you can't do anything with it. And right now, Cromartie hasn't done anything to make me say "wow, he's going to be a great football player," even though I hear he looks great at practice. Show it on the field.

As for the Hill argument, and where he is to play -- let me ask a question. If you had the chance if he came to ND (granted he never had the grades too, but this is hypothetical), and you could play him anywhere on the field, where would you put Ted Ginn, Jr.?

Keep in mind that he was recruited as a defensive back.

Personally, I think a player that talented (and Hill is THAT talented) would be wasted on the defensive side of the ball.

 

[rattfink]

As for the Hill argument, and where he is to play -- let me ask a question. If you had the chance if he came to ND (granted he never had the grades too, but this is hypothetical), and you could play him anywhere on the field, where would you put Ted Ginn, Jr.?

Keep in mind that he was recruited as a defensive back.

Personally, I think a player that talented (and Hill is THAT talented) would be wasted on the defensive side of the ball.

I think you're getting into team identity and football theory here. Most teams put their playmakers on offense because that is where you score points, the most precious of football commodities. Bobby Bowden would play him at corner because he believes you win football games with defense. Deion Sanders played corner because he wanted his most athletic guys on defense but we have all seen how much a playmaker he was/could have been on offense. Tomato/Tomato (sounds better when you say it).

 

[Katzenboyer]

I think you're getting into team identity and football theory here. Most teams put their playmakers on offense because that is where you score points, the most precious of football commodities. Bobby Bowden would play him at corner because he believes you win football games with defense. Deion Sanders played corner because he wanted his most athletic guys on defense but we have all seen how much a playmaker he was/could have been on offense. Tomato/Tomato (sounds better when you say it).

Very fair point.

 

[Ricochet]

Just get Will Hill to ND and then find out where he is best suited. All I know is that he's one of the elite athletes I've seen. He's beyond being a great athlete, he's a dynamic athete.

IMO he's a WR, thats where I want him, he's to dynamic to not see the ball in his hands. Plus IMO it's easier to learn to be a WR than a DB.

The problem with putting player that have the speed, quickness and athletic ability to be DB's but aren't natural to the position then it's not worth it having them in those position if they don't have those instincts.

As long as you have the hands you can make a DB into a WR but taking a WR and making him a DB can fail if they don't have those instincts which for the most part you really can't learn. Whereas as WR can learn how to run proper routes etc.

 

[rattfink]

Maybe I missed it, but is he only playing offense so far? It seems that often these elite athlete types play both ways. And for the good of his future, I think he needs to play both ways next season.

 

[ptrigger]

Maybe I missed it, but is he only playing offense so far? It seems that often these elite athlete types play both ways. And for the good of his future, I think he needs to play both ways next season.

hes played some defense too

 

[Ricochet]

Maybe I missed it, but is he only playing offense so far? It seems that often these elite athlete types play both ways. And for the good of his future, I think he needs to play both ways next season.

From what I've seen he's played QB on offense and on defense he been all over the secondary.

 

[Ricochet]

IT’S SAFETY FIRST

 

[crimson_vendetta]

He has said that Michigan and Florida are his top two, but Notre Dame and Ohio State look to be in good standing. Rutgers could be a darkhorse as well.

 

[GoshenGipper]

Variety of wide receivers lead prize catches in recruiting Class of 2008

The nation's premier athlete, Will Hill (6-3, 200 pounds) of St. Peter's Prep in Jersey City, is a multitalented player, having lined up at six slots on offense, defense and returns.

Hill had 3,571 all-purpose yards as a quarterback-running back-slotback-split end-free safety-return specialist in 2006. "No matter what (position) he plays at the next level, you won't go wrong," St. Peter's coach Rich Hansen says.

Hill, undecided on a college, prefers defense. "I'm an active player who likes to hit people," he says.

 

[GoshenGipper]

Will was on today's edition of Gen. Next on CSTV. He talked about playing against JT in the state championship game. He said he didn't have any favorites, but he said ND is one of the schools that are talking to him the most, and he said Charlie Weis has personally visited him, along with the Poodle and a few others.

 

[Dutch-Irish]

He is maybe the first one on my list of all recruits in 2008.
Will Hill, Michael Floyd, Dan Buckner, Kyle Rudolph, Trevor Robinson, Stephen Good, Sean Cwynar, Marcus Forston, Kyle Long, Steve Filer, Jon Major, Eric Legrand, Jarred Holley and Nolan Brewster are all high on ND right now. This year is a little dissapointment, make up for it in next years class. If we can get these kids or even 50% of them we will have a very very good class.

 

[SillyIrish]

I'm going to say my number one for next year is going to be Filer, Floyd and then Hill. ND has a real great shot with the first two.

 

[d9cornel]

With the type of offense we use why wouldn't we have a real great shot with any WR with half a brain. The past two years our Wr's have lit it up and they all have gone or definately in Samardija's case could have gone to the NFL. Take all your bias out of the equation, what other school utilizes their Wr's, has as much exposure, and will be coached better than at ND. Same for QB, and same for TE.

 

[mat33]

I am just dreaming of a safety duo of Hill and Smith, that could be nasty for years to come.

 

[stonebreakerwasgod]

I have a feeling that next year will make this year look like 2 years ago. Someone start giving us some verbals and begin the flood.

 

[GoshenGipper]

I have a feeling that next year will make this year look like 2 years ago. Someone start giving us some verbals and begin the flood.

Don't jump the gun, I think that's what most of us thought about this year's class back in the spring and summer. I think if ND plays well this upcomming season, especially on defense then ND will bgring in a top 5 class. But I don't think the flood of committments will come before that.

 

[HeavenKnows]

I agree with you, Goshengipper. We lost out because of the way we played the second half against LSU. Our possible commits were at the AAA combine watching the game and the ND commits were getting hammered badly. That is when we lost a top 3 recruiting class.

The players who are interested in playing defense at ND will not have questions asked until they see something positive on the field. Many of these coaches at other schools just hate ND and will lambast us as they did with their negative recruiting this past year.

We almost lost Ian Williams to Florida because Auburn, Florida, and LSU tried to get him to decommit from us with negative recruiting these past two weeks. These coaches know in their heart that once ND gets the defence competitive that it is over. We are going to rule and be hated even more.

 

[Katzenboyer]

I agree with the sentiment on the board -- this guy is in my top 3, but I think he's #1 for me. Just an incredible athlete.

 

[leprechaun4life]

Has anyone heard any news regarding Mr. "Thrill" recently. He is an incredible athlete, I was wondering if there was any new info on him.

 

[mlcspinner]

I hope he commits to ND but I have not heard anything lately.