Defensive tackle Jordan Hill might have been frustrated by a slow start, but a strong, 12-tackle performance in the final game has undoubtedly increased his draft stock, according to Scouts Inc.'s Steve Muench.
"He's making a strong case to be taken on Day 2 of the draft," Muench wrote.
Hill opened this season at the one-technique and was greeted in most games by double-teams. He wasn't used to it; he played the three-technique the year before, and Devon Still's ability ensured Hill didn't deal with multiple offensive linemen in 2011.
Through three games, Hill didn't record a single stop in the backfield. But Bill O'Brien decided to move him back to the three-technique, his usual position just outside the guard, and Hill was told to stop trying to take on both linemen during a double-team. He started focusing on just one.
Those simple changes obviously paid dividends. In the last nine games, Hill had 8.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. In the final game, he turned in his most dominating performance and had two sacks and three stops in the backfield.
Some coaches, such as Iowa's Kirk Ferentz, went out of their way to laud the defensive tackle. O'Brien has insisted Hill is one of the best interior linemen in college football. At 6-foot-0, he's not the tallest defensive tackle, but his motor definitely has NFL coaches talking.
For more on Hill, read Muench's Stock Report.
