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WR K.J. Hill (Official Thread)

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Football: H-back K.J. Hill emerging as latest weapon in Ohio State’s arsenal

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To this point in No. 6 Ohio State’s tumultuous season, many storylines stand out — the re-emergence of quarterback J.T. Barrett, the dominance of the defensive line, freshman running back J.K. Dobbins making his presence felt early and futility of the kickoff coverage.

Lost in all the other storylines is Ohio State’s jack-of-all-trades, H-back K.J. Hill.

With 40 receptions this season, the redshirt sophomore has been one of Barrett’s favorite targets this season ,and Hill trails only fellow H-back Parris Campbell in receiving yards (399 to 376).

Hill had the best game of his career Saturday against No. 7 Penn State, registering career highs in receptions (12), receiving yards (102), average punt return distance (7.7 yards), kick returns (five) and kick return yards (120).

Head coach Urban Meyer praised the H-back for his strong showing in the team’s most critical game of the season.

“[Hill] was tremendous [against Penn State]. He’s one of our better players. He’s really developed, really matured. He’s a guy that has ball skills that are 10 out of 10,” Meyer said Wednesday. “He’s very spacial aware. He understands football. So just a very good player.”

It has taken Hill some time to get to this point. He entered Ohio State as a four-star recruit and the top prospect in Arkansas, but he redshirted his first year in the program. Last season, Hill was used sparingly, never making more than five catches in a game and catching just one touchdown.

Hill came into this season with loftier expectations. He took on the role of the punt returner and, just four games into the season, matched his 2016 total in receptions.

The third-year H-back said his biggest improvement has been his ability to make defenders miss and do more with the ball after making the catch.

“The [improved ability from last season] came from confidence,” Hill said Wednesday. “And then doing it in practice on people, and I knew that would translate to the game.”

Entire article: https://www.thelantern.com/2017/11/...ging-as-latest-weapon-in-ohio-states-arsenal/
 
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FIVE OHIO STATE PLAYERS WHO MIGHT BE OVERLOOKED ENTERING THE 2018 SEASON

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K.J. HILL, WR

While Campbell’s speed and big-play ability have made him the Buckeyes’ most nationally reputed receiver, and juniors Austin Mack and Binjimen Victor are typically touted as the most likely breakout stars of the Buckeyes’ receiving corps, K.J. Hill actually led Ohio State with 56 receptions and was the Buckeyes’ most reliable pass-catcher last season.

Although Mack’s now-famous 3rd-and-13 catch in Ann Arbor and his close relationship with Haskins as the new starting quarterback’s roommate makes him perhaps the obvious choice to emerge as Haskins’ go-to receiver, Hill actually had the biggest performance on the receiving end of Haskins’ relief effort at Michigan, turning third-down catches into gains of 29 and 24 yards.

Hill is the most sure-handed receiver in the Buckeyes’ regular rotation – which is why he also served as Ohio State’s punt returner last season, though Demario McCall is expected to take over that role this season – and also its sharpest route-runner. He doesn’t have the speed of Campbell or Terry McLaurin, or the length of Victor or Mack, but he’s still likely to be a key player in the offense – perhaps even moreso – if the Buckeyes place a greater emphasis on downfield passing.

Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...-might-be-overlooked-entering-the-2018-season
 
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