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Ohio State Football: K.J. Hill completely disrespected

By Jay Wilhelm

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 02: Wide receiver K.J. Hill #14 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs the ball against fullback Alec Ingold #45 of the Wisconsin Badgers in the second half during the Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 02: Wide receiver K.J. Hill #14 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs the ball against fullback Alec Ingold #45 of the Wisconsin Badgers in the second half during the Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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K.J. Hill was one Ohio State football player who was completely disrespected by falling to the seventh round in the 2020 NFL Draft. A 40 time isn’t an excuse for a record breaker to wait.

Any on-field issues during K.J. Hill’s five years on the Ohio State football team?  Not at all.  Any character issues of any kind?  Still nothing.

The wide receiver was chosen by the Los Angeles Chargers on Day 3 of the NFL Draft.  Now the real question from all of Buckeye Nation, what took so long?

The 6 ft. 195 pound Hill had to wait until the seventh round to hear his name called.  No, the seventh round is not a typo.  Crazy right.

During his Buckeye career, K.J. Hill finished with 201 receptions, 2,332 yards, 11.6 average yards per catch and 20 touchdowns.  The 201 receptions makes him the all-time leader in Ohio State history.

He surpassed the likes of Michael Jenkins, David Boston and Hall of Famer Cris Carter, and he did it at one of the most historically great programs in college football history.  So, what makes a record-setting player at a historic program fall to pick 220?

According to most, they believe it is the 4.6 time in the 40 he posted at the NFL Combine.  Really?  That’s your reason?

Does speed matter?  Sure it does, when it’s elite.  When you are most likely going to be a slot receiver, the thing that matters most and that can mask any speed deficiencies are the very things that Hill is great at.

For the record, 4.6 isn’t all that terrible.  Especially for a guy like K.J. who has great footwork, great hands and he is an extremely precise route runner.

When you are talking about a slot receiver, and you are asking me if I’d rather have 4.4 speed and be mediocre at the other things or have a guy who is not as fast as some but can give me high grades on routes, footwork and hands, I choose Hill.

I’ll take the speed on the outside but want my inside guys to be fundamentally sound.

Next. Slept-on JK Dobbins gets perfect fit in Baltimore. dark

K. J. Hill should have been a middle second round guy and that isn’t even debatable.  Shame on those general managers who passed on this kid over and over again.  I can’t wait to watch him show up and show out for the Chargers, because they not only got a great talent on the field but an elite person off of it.

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