NFL Draft Prospect
Interview: Nick Hill, QB, Southern Illinois
by Michael Abromowitz, 2/26/08.
Anytime, we talk about a
Football Championship Subdivision (1-AA) quarterback in this year’s
draft, comparisons are going to be made to Delaware’s Joe Flacco, one
of the top quarterbacks in the entire draft. One quarterback that
deserves to be compared to Flacco is Nick Hill from Southern
Illinois. Coincidentally, Hill and Flacco met up in the
semifinals this past season, where Flacco’s Delaware team won,
20-17. For the season, Hill finished 3,175 yards passing, 28
touchdown passes, and a completion percentage of 71.5% , while Flacco
finished with 4,263 yards passing, 23 touchdowns, and completion
percentage of 63.5%. Of course, Flacco looks to be drafted in the
first two rounds; fans should pay attention in Hill, who looks to be a
definite sleeper in the later rounds of the draft.
What is your accurate height, weight and
forty time?
"6’3, 220, 4.7"
Describe your game in three words or less.
"Leader,
Composed,
playmaker"
What do you feel is your greatest strength
as a
football player and what area do you feel you need to improve in?
"I think my
biggest strength is being a leader, managing the game, fast learner,
and making
plays when my team needs me. I feel I
can improve in all areas, playing basketball my whole life and only
playing
football for two seasons, I feel I can continue to get better in all
areas."
What NFL player do you do you think you
compare
favorably to?
"Tony
Romo"
Who is the best player you have faced during your
college football career?
"Greg
Jennings (currently Green Bay Packers, played at Western Michigan)"
What is your greatest football moment to
date?
"Throwing
two
touchdown passes in the last minute of the game to beat D1A Northern
Illinois."
Did you have a favorite pro team growing
up?
Favorite player?
"Chicago Bears, but I love
watching
Brett Favre."
How instrumental was your head coach Jerry
Kill in
your progression?
"Very
instrumental. He taught me how to be a real leader and never let me
settle."
What have former college teammates now in
the NFL told
you about preparing for the league?
"Brandon Jacobs,
Arkee Whitlock, and Brandon Jones have all told me to prepare my self
as best
as I can; you only get one shot, and to realize that it is a business."
When you get your first professional
paycheck what is
the first thing you will buy?
"I will try and
save as much as a can but I love to hunt and I need a new bow so I
might buy a
bow."
How will you be preparing for the NFL
Draft?
"I
signed with Agent
Andy Simms of PlayersRep Sports Management and I’m currently training
in Cincinnati Ohio at Ignition sports training
with Cliff Marshall. I will be playing in the Texas Vs. The Nation all
star
game Feb. 2nd, and will be working with Steve Deberg in Tampa Florida
for a week."
Do you have any goals in mind when it
comes to the NFL
Draft?
"Well I think
everyone’s goal is to get drafted but I just want to find the best fit
for me
and the one that gives me the best chance to succeed."
What is the one thing you will most miss
at college?
"I
will miss my
teammates and the people I have formed relationships with over the past
four
years."
Where is the best place to get a bite to
eat in Carbondale?
"Don
Taco, it’s
the best when your not eating healthy!"
What was your favorite college course and
why?
"My
favorite
course is when I student-taught everyday in a 3rd grade classroom. I
love kids and they made the days so much fun."
What have former or current NFL players
told you about
preparing for the league?
"I had the
chance to be around several players at the Manning Passing Academy the
past two
years and they have all said to just be prepared for every situation a
scout
could ask you to do and to just be yourself in interviews."
Any pregame rituals? Food?
Music?
"I’m
pretty laid
back before games so I just like chilling in the locker room talking
with
teammates. I don’t own an iPod so I don’t really listen to that much
music
before games."
What is something football fans may not
know about
you?
"I love to fish, hunt,
or anything to do with the outdoors, I also love kids and my major is
Special
Education and Elementary Education."
Do you read mock drafts or listen to what
draft
experts have to say?
"Yes
I read some
of the websites."
What was the last good movie you saw?
"The Bucket List is a really good
movie."
What do you plan to do once your playing
career is
over?
"I
want to
become a teacher and a coach, and hopefully have my own hunting show."
Thanks for taking the time to answer some
questions
and good luck!
"Thank you for
asking."
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