K. J. Hill
refer to caption
Hill with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2021
Personal information
Born: (1997-09-15) September 15, 1997
Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school:North Little Rock
(North Little Rock, Arkansas)
College:Ohio State (2015–2019)
Position:Wide receiver
NFL Draft:2020 / Round: 7 / Pick: 220
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 11, 2021
Receptions:10
Receiving yards:103
Return yards:181
Player stats at NFL.com

Reanard O’Keith "K. J." Hill Jr. (born September 15, 1997) is an American football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played high school football at North Little Rock High School in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He played college football at Ohio State. He is the all-time leading receiver for the Buckeyes with 201 career receptions.

High school career

Playing at North Little Rock High School, Hill committed to Ohio State on February 4, 2015, choosing the Buckeyes over Alabama and Arkansas, among others. Hill had verbally committed to Arkansas in August 2014, but changed his commitment following the departure of Arkansas’ offensive coordinator Jim Chaney.[1]

Coming out of high school, Hill was a consensus 4-star receiver who was named a U.S. Army All-American. Hill was the No. 1 player in the state of Arkansas, and received a No. 16 rating by ESPN and 247Sports and a No. 18 rating by Rivals for receivers. Additionally, Hill was a highly regarded basketball player.[2]

College career

In his first year at Ohio State, Hill redshirted, making him eligible for a fifth-year of eligibility. After red-shirting the 2015 season, Hill had 18 catches for more than 250 yards and one touchdown in 2016. Hill led Ohio State receivers (10 or more catches) with a 14.6 yards-per-reception average. He played in 11 of 13 games in 2016, missing two with an ankle injury.[3]

During his sophomore season in 2017, he led the team in receptions with 56 and was second in yards with 549. During the game against Penn State, Hill had a career-best 12 receptions, which was the fourth-highest total in school history.[4] Throughout the season, Hill also served as the team's primary punt returner with 26 returns for 144 yards (5.5 average).[5]

The 2018 season was award-winning for Hill, where he was named as an all-Big Ten Honorable Mention for his 70-catch, 885-yard, six-touchdown season. In a win over Minnesota, Hill set a career high with 187 receiving yards, the eighth-highest total in school history, and two touchdowns, off nine receptions.[6] Hill had played in 39 games and caught passes in 34 consecutive games.

Following his junior year, there was speculation that Hill would declare for the NFL Draft. On January 8, 2019, Hill announced on Twitter that he would return saying, “With the guidance and mentorship of Cris Carter and my family, I have decided to take one last ride with my brothers, my coaches, and you, Buckeye Nation!”[7]

College Statistics

NCAA Collegiate Career statistics
Ohio State Buckeyes
Season Receiving
RecYardsAvgTD Long
2015 Redshirt Redshirt
2016 18 262 14.6 1 47
2017 56 549 9.8 3 29
2018 70 885 12.6 6 42
2019 57 636 11.2 10 53
NCAA Career Totals 2012,33211.620 53

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard splitVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
5 ft 11+7⁄8 in
(1.83 m)		 196 lb
(89 kg)		 29+1⁄8 in
(0.74 m)		 9+1⁄4 in
(0.23 m)		4.60 s1.59 s2.68 s32.5 in
(0.83 m)		9 ft 6 in
(2.90 m)		17 reps
All values from NFL Combine[8][9]

Hill was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers in the seventh round with the 220th overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft.[10]

In Week 3 of the 2020 season, against the Carolina Panthers, Hill made his first professional reception in the 21–16 loss.[11]

On October 21, 2021, Hill was waived by the Chargers and re-signed to the practice squad.[12] His practice squad contract expired upon the end of the 2021 regular season.

References

  1. ↑ "North Little Rock's K.J. Hill signs with Ohio State". Arkansas Online. February 4, 2015. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  2. ↑ "K.J. Hill". Ohio State Buckeyes. May 21, 2018. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  3. ↑ "K.J. Hill 2016 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Penn State at Ohio State Box Score, October 28, 2017". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  5. ↑ "K.J. Hill 2017 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  6. ↑ "Minnesota at Ohio State Box Score, October 13, 2018". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Ohio State Star K.J. Hill Announces NFL Draft Decision". The Spun. January 8, 2019. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  8. ↑ "K.J. Hill Combine Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  9. ↑ "2020 Draft Scout K.J. Hill, Ohio State NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
  10. ↑ Hayre, Chris (April 25, 2020). "Chargers Select Ohio State WR K.J. Hill in the Seventh Round". chargers.com. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  11. ↑ "Carolina Panthers at Los Angeles Chargers – September 27th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  12. ↑ "Los Angeles Chargers Sign Andre Roberts". Chargers.com. October 21, 2021.
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