Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Jeff Hill, WR, Bentley University

Every year, NFL Draft Diamonds brings our readers the best in depth interviews on the internet. We specialize in giving players an opportunity to showcase their talents on our website. We conducted interviews last year with over 300 plus players. We want you to enjoy our interviews, because when these young men are in the league, we will not be surprised, and neither should you. 

What is your name?

Jeff Hill

What is your Height/Weight?

6’3” 215 lbs.

What is your position?

Wide Out

Where do you play college football?

Bentley University

How many teams were recruiting you out of high school?

I was not highly recruited coming out of high school. My high school team ran the wing T so we did not throw the ball much. I received interest from most schools in the Northeast 10 Conference as well as many division 2 schools. I did not receive any scholarship offers.

How did you choose your school?

I chose my school based off of the education I would receive and I wanted to go to a school with a solid football program. Bentley offered the businesses curriculum I was looking for as well as one of the strongest division II football programs in the northeast.

Where are you from?

Mansfield, Massachusetts

Who is your role model, and why?

Tom Brady is my role model. He started off his career and no one expected anything from him. He worked as hard as he could behind the scenes and he knew that when it was his time he would be ready. Even after he has achieved greatness, he still has that same work ethic, determination, and competitiveness.

Have any scouts met with you yet, and if so what are they saying?

About 10 scouts came and talked to me during this past season and came to look at me during practice. They did not say much to me other than general background information questions.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

I played basketball and track as well growing up. My high school basketball team lost in the state semi-finals and I was the division state champion in triple jump as well as set my high school record in the 4x100m dash.

Did you play any other positions in football?

I played a little bit of safely in nickel packages in high school. I have also been lined up in the tight end position as well the slot.

At your position, what separates you from others?

My football IQ is what separates me from others. Understanding coverages and ability to pick up tendencies of opponents by watching film is what I think separates me from others.

When you are breaking down film, what do you look for?

I look for indicators that will help me know what coverage the defense is going to be in. I also look for different alignments pre snap that can help to give away coverages. Sometimes the safety will be over the tight end or shaded to one side of the field. The linebacker’s alignment can also help decipher coverages. I also look for where there are holes in the defense so when I recognize a coverage I know where the holes will be. I also look for what some cornerback’s and safety’s might do with their stances or alignment to help me know how best to beat them.

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

The toughest player I played against was a cornerback from Mercy Hurst. He was big strong and physical and I needed to use precise route running to beat him.

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be and why?

I would compare my play to Eric Decker. He runs crisp routes and is more of a possession wide receiver who has the ability to make the big play.

What was the biggest obstacle in your life you had to overcome, and how did you overcome it?

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

What is your biggest strength?

My biggest strength is competitiveness.

If I were a GM and gave you a second to sell yourself, what would you say?

I would bring a multi-functional skill set to the receiving core. I can use my size and route running ability to be a possession receiver as well as my speed and explosiveness to stretch the field.

Who was your favorite player and NFL team growing up?

New England Patriots

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would you choose?

Jerry Jones, Randy Moss, Dean Smith