Latest news with #TommiHill
New York Times
09-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Vikings rookie minicamp: What we learned, including a new QB and two intriguing young CBs
EAGAN, Minn. — Rookie minicamp is a sign that the real action is inching closer. Free agency is over, and the Minnesota Vikings have completed the NFL Draft. The NFL schedule will be announced next week, and organized team activities will commence soon after. There weren't many surprises on Friday. Donovan Jackson, the team's first-round pick, participated in drills with offensive line coach Chris Kuper and assistant O-line coach Keith Carter. The defensive line practiced stunts on one side of the field, while the offense practiced route concepts. What did we learn? Here are three thoughts following the afternoon workout. Let's get it, @D_jack78! 💜 — Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) May 9, 2025 A few months ago, at the scouting combine in Indianapolis, Travis Hunter was asked to identify the toughest cornerbacks he faced in college football. Hunter didn't name anybody specifically, but he mentioned players from two schools: Nebraska and Oklahoma State. The Cornerhusker in question was Tommi Hill. At one time, Hill, 23, was projected by some draft analysts to be an early-round pick. He played in only seven games this past season for coach Matt Rhule and struggled mightily down the stretch. Still, The Athletic's Dane Brugler graded him as a fifth- or sixth-round talent. Advertisement Hill went undrafted. Lingering plantar fasciitis concerns likely played a role. Hill's topsy-turvy college path, going from Arizona State to Nebraska, may have also mattered. The Vikings, though, invited him in as a tryout player during rookie minicamp. It won't be an easy path to the roster, but Hill's progress is worth monitoring. 'I've got to prove a lot,' he said. 'Prove to everybody that I should've been drafted, even when I got hurt.' Hill accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl but said he was still navigating injuries. The decision to play, he said, was 'because I hadn't put a helmet on in a minute.' In other words, he believed he needed to remind NFL evaluators what he was capable of. The film leaves little doubt, especially in the matchup with Colorado and Hunter. Hill recalled a wildly impressive pick six in the first quarter of that game against Shedeur Sanders. Nebraska, he said, lined up in Cover 4. Hill hollered at teammate Malcolm Hartzog Jr. to pinch down toward the line of scrimmage to trick Sanders into thinking they were playing Cover 3. Sanders, Hill said, believed he could throw an out route to the flat. Hill read the play immediately, snagged the pass with outstretched arms and trotted into the end zone. PICK SIX NEBRASKA 😱@HuskerFootball — FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 8, 2024 As for the matchup with Hunter, Hill said he wanted to get in Hunter's head. 'He's a trash-talker,' Hill said. 'I'm a trash-talker, too. I can trash-talk the whole game if I need to.' Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell attends the Minnesota Golden Gophers' pro day each spring. He and Gophers coach P.J. Fleck have developed a rapport. The Gophers typically have some interesting draft prospects, and O'Connell likes to support the program. Unsurprisingly, the coach's eyes often wander to the quarterbacks. Advertisement Because underclassmen could participate in pro days last year, quarterback Max Brosmer was there. O'Connell viewed Brosmer's sidearm release and noticed his ball placement and drop consistency. He filed the impression away. It came in handy this year. Brosmer, who thought he could be selected on Day 3 of the draft, was not and became an undrafted free agent. O'Connell is not one to pass up on quarterbacks he feels can contribute, both to the dynamics in the room and to what's possible on the field. So, the Vikings offered Brosmer an opportunity. 'We've spent some time with their coaching staff,' O'Connell said. 'Sharing ideas, how we do things, some of the ways we teach things. So, there's good carryover with some things that he's done.' Brosmer didn't perform perfectly on Friday. He threw multiple interceptions, though in these camps, mistakes like that can often be blamed on receiver positioning. He did, though, layer a few passes perfectly toward the sideline. He looked comfortable progressing with reads as well. The Vikings have been intentional with the way they've constructed their quarterback room around J.J. McCarthy. It's youth. It's positive energy. It's professionalism. Though Brosmer has not played in an NFL game, and though his ceiling may be limited by his athletic traits and arm strength, his intangibles should fit nicely with how McCarthy operates. Last year, the Minnesota staff identified cornerback Dwight McGlothern as an undrafted prospect who could compete for a roster spot. McGlothern impressed in training camp and even secured an interception in Cleveland during joint practices. His development remains an intriguing layer to this spring and summer in an unproven cornerback room. But he'll have competition. Maybe the most impressive play of the day occurred on the left sideline, as Brosmer tried to layer a pass into a pocket in the defense's zone coverage. Zemaiah Vaughn, an undrafted cornerback from Utah, leaped and secured the interception. Advertisement Afterward, defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Daronte Jones and even O'Connell patted Vaughn on the helmet. The undrafted signee is a classic Brian Flores corner. He's long at 6-foot-2 and 186 pounds and can run. His ball skills were particularly evident on this particular play. Morgan Scalley, the defensive coordinator at Utah, said recently, 'With that length and speed and (Vaughn's) ability to sink his hips, I think his best football is ahead of him.' Vaughn is a former quarterback from Beaumont, Texas, who has been playing defense for fewer than five seasons. The Vikings weren't the only team to prioritize him in undrafted free agency. One AFC executive commended Minnesota for securing Vaughn's services. Vaughn's aptitude and ability to pick up the defense may ultimately decide his chances of pushing McGlothern for a roster spot. At a bare minimum, it can't hurt for Minnesota to have additional enticing young cornerbacks.
USA Today
30-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Travis Hunter offers high praise to Vikings rookie minicamp invitee
Travis Hunter offers high praise to Vikings rookie minicamp invitee Travis Hunter is the reigning Heisman Trophy Winner, Bilitnikoff Award Winner, and Nagurski Award Winner. Not many college football players are as decorated as he is, nor have they won such a wide range of them. Despite all that, Hunter has been vocal about one player who has been his toughest competition in 2025. When asked at the scouting combine who the toughest players he faced in college football were, Tommi Hill from Nebraska was mentioned among them. The Nebraska cornerback started the season with much promise, but it quickly fell off. He ended up not receiving any combine invites, no workouts, but despite all of that he received an invite to the Vikings rookie minicamp to see what he has to offer. While Tommi Hill faces an uphill battle, he is very much someone who could provide a lot of upside with minimal risk. If he can make it through rookie minicamp, and into the team's general offseason activities, they may have something in him
USA Today
21-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Unpacking Future Packers: No. 5, Nebraska CB Tommi Hill
Unpacking Future Packers: No. 5, Nebraska CB Tommi Hill The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who the Green Bay Packers could select in the 2025 NFL draft. The Green Bay Packers have had a lot of movement at the cornerback position this offseason. They lost Eric Stokes, Robert Rochell and Corey Ballentine, while Brian Gutekunst inked Nate Hobbs to a four-year deal. The biggest puzzle piece will be Jaire Alexander. Gutekunst's first-ever pick as general manager seems to be on his way out of Green Bay, either via a trade or a straight-up release. There figures to be more additions coming to the cornerback room via the 2025 NFL Draft, and a potential Day 3 target is Tommi Hill. The Nebraska cornerback checks in at No. 5 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown. A four-star recruit out of Florida, Hill started his collegiate career at Arizona State. After one season with the Sun Devils, Hill transferred to Nebraska in 2022. Hill started the 2022 campagin playing cornerback before switching to wide receiver after five games. During his five games at cornerback, Hill recorded four pass deflections. In 2023, Hill once again split time as a two-way player. He finished the season with four interceptions and nine pass deflections. This past season, Hill played in just seven games due to an ankle injury. In seven games, he recorded one tackle for loss, one interception, which was a pick-six against Colorado. "His 2024 tape doesn't advertise his coverage mobility as well, but he was dealing with plantar fasciitis in his foot for most of the season, and was eventually shut down by Matt Rhule as a result," Ian Cummings, an NFL Draft analyst for Pro Football Network, said. "Assuming he can get back to 100% in the NFL, he has the size, explosion, twitch, and bend to weaponize his eyes and off-coverage feel." At 6-0, 213 pounds with nearly 33-inch arms, Hill looks great off the bus. He uses that length to reroute wide receivers and tighten passing windows. He uses those long arms to play through the hands of wide receivers and smothers them at the catch point. Despite being a two-way player for the majority of his career, Hill's background as a wide receiver helps him understand route concepts. He's got an explosive downhill trigger and he's highly instinctive in zone coverage. Due to his ankle injury, Hill didn't test leading up to the draft. However, he's a former track athlete and has the long speed to stay in lock step with wide receivers on vertical routes. "The best aspect of Hill's coverage profile is his physical makeup, which gives him some inbuilt schematic versatility with additional development," Cummings said. "He's long, strong, and rangy, but also relatively low-to-the-ground, with fairly solid hip sink and transitioning ability for his size. Hill is still built a bit high-cut, and doesn't have elite fluidity, but he compensates with searing corrective twitch overtop breaks, and he has the bend to manage zones between overlapping routes when tracking vertical." Hill's background as a wide receiver is evident by the way he attacks the ball. He's comfortable with the ball in the air and has the natural ball skills to make quarterbacks pay for throwing in his area code. "Hill assuredly has a degree of natural playmaking ability," Cummings said. "His long wingspan and disruption radius magnifies that presence at the catch point. He's ultimately better as a playmaker when he's able to work downfield from his pedal in off-man and zone, as opposed to trailing WRs vertically. In the vertical phase, he can have trouble getting his head around. But when he can work with routes in front of him, he's an aggressive competitor with the length to pry through the wide receiver's cage, and with his route recognition and closing speed from depth, he's a definite turnover-generating threat." Hill is a physical downhill cornerback who doesn't shy away from coming up in run support. With his wingspan, he has a wide tackle radius. In seven games this past season, Hill recorded 11 run stops and three missed tackles. "Hill isn't as productive in run support as other prospects, but his frame translates well in contact situations," Cummings said. "He's shown he can anchor against wide receiver blocks on the boundary, as well as use his length to wrap up in the tackling phase. Moreover, when managing short zones, he can recognize drag and swing routes underneath and flip his hips to respond and pursue. The biggest issue for Hill in support may ultimately be his angles. There are times when he needs to correct his tracking angle before breaking down to engage at contact, and his non-elite hip fluidity sometimes renders him a step behind on correction. He'll need to iron out inconsistencies at the NFL level, but he has the build, temperament, and fast-flowing motion required for support play." Fit with the Packers The Packers have a lot of cornerbacks who can play on the boundary and in the slot. There is a lot of versatilty in that room. With his length, Hill would provide that room with a different flavor. The Nebraska cornerback checks the boxes with his frame, ball skills and athleticism. "He's best in zone and off-man, with some projectability in press-man on account of his quick twitch, length, and play strength, Hill has the tools to be a savvy off-coverage bandit," Cummings said. "Though his game is still a bit too volatile in some areas, such as press-man reaction and blind spot IQ, he's a worthwhile investment with his size, athleticism, and playmaking ability." Keisean Nixon and Hobbs figure to be the leaders in that room and both could start on the boundary with Javon Bullard in the slot. There's also a scenario where Hobbs or Nixon is in the slot with Bullard playing deep, which would open the door for a player like Hill to challenge Carrington Valentine for reps on the boundary. The Packers need to add depth to the cornerback position, and adding a player like Hill with his NFL-ready frame and playmaking ability would be great value in the fifth round. Since he hasn't tested and missed the end of last season, Hill seems to be flying a bit under the radar. He has all the physical tools, natural instincts and ball skills to develop into a difference-maker.
USA Today
10-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Nebraska expected to see multiple players taken in latest NFL mock draft
Nebraska expected to see multiple players taken in latest NFL mock draft A recent mock draft has four Nebraska Cornhuskers being selected on day three of the annual event. Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports has two Huskers projected for selection in round five and two Huskers projected for round seven of the NFL draft. Nebraska did not have any players selected in the 2024 NFL draft. The last time a Husker was selected was in 2023 when Ochaun Mathis was taken by the Los Angeles Rams, and Trey Plamer was taken by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the sixth round. The Huskers have had two players selected first overall in the draft's history. In 1937, the Philadelphia Eagles selected Sam Francis, and the New England Patriots took Irving Fryer in 1984. Nebraska last had four or more players selected in the NFL draft in 2016. That year, Maliek Collins, Vincent Valentine, Alex Lewis, and Andy Janovich were selected. The 2025 NFL draft will take place April 24-26 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Find a breakdown of where CBS Sports believes the four Huskers will be selected and which teams will call their names below. Ty Robinson - Philadelphia Eagles (Round Five/Pick 168) Defensive Tackle Ty Robinson enters the NFL draft after a successful five-year career in Lincoln. In 60 games, he totaled 134 tackles with 27 for loss and 12.0 sacks. He ended the 2024 season as a third-team All-Big Ten member. Find more coverage of the Philadelphia Eagles on Eagles Wire Tommi Hill - Seattle Seahawks (Round Five/Pick 172) Cornerback Tommi Hill comes to the 2025 NFL draft after an up-and-down collegiate experience. He spent his freshman year with the Arizona State Sun Devils before joining the Cornhuskers. He began his Nebraska football career at corner before a sudden and strange switch to wide receiver. He would eventually return to corner. In 41 career college football games, he recorded 44 tackles and five interceptions with one touchdown. Find more coverage of the Seattle Seahawks on Seahawks Wire Thomas Fidone II - Miami Dolphins (Round Seven/Pick 231) Tight End Fidone came to Nebraska with a lot of fanfare. He was a four-star recruit and the 2nd overall tight end in the class of 2021. After injuries plagued the start of his career, he was able to find his footing once Matt Rhule arrived on campus. He ended his Nebraska career with 633 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 26 games. Find more coverage of the Miami Dolphins on Dolphins Wire Isaiah Neyor - Detroit Lions (Round Seven/Pick 244) Wide Receiver Neyor only spent one year with the Cornhuskers after spending his first four years with the Wyoming Cowboys and the Texas Longhorns. In his one year as a Husker, he played in 12 games and had 34 receptions for 455 yards and five touchdowns. Neyor then planned to transfer for a third time to the Louisville Cardinals but would change his mind shortly thereafter and commit to the draft. Find more coverage of the Detroit Lions on Lions Wire Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nebraska sees four players invited to NFL draft combine
Nebraska football defensive lineman Ty Robinson, corner Tommi Hill, tight end Thomas Fidone, and wide receiver Isaiah Neyor are headed to Indianapolis for the NFL combine. The list of prospect invites was posted on Thursday. Robinson had a tremendous Nebraska career. During five seasons in Lincoln, he recorded 134 combined tackles and 12 sacks, including 37 tackles and seven sacks in 2024. Hill had a whirlwind career with Nebraska, starting at wide receiver and eventually settling in at corner in 2023. He played at a high level and had 64 tackles and five interceptions in three seasons. Fidone dealt with injuries throughout his Nebraska career. After coming into the program as a highly-touted tight end, he still managed to make the most of his opportunities, recording 633 yards and four touchdowns on 61 receptions. He was able to boost his stock a ton over the last couple of seasons. Neyor transferred from the Texas Longhorns to Nebraska last January. He served as the program's outside receiver in 2024. Last season, he recorded 34 catches for 455 yards and five touchdowns. All Nebraska attendees certainly made an impact for the program during their time in Lincoln. Now, the waiting game begins, as we see whose stock rises. 329 prospects invited to 2025 NFL Scouting — NFL Draft (@NFLDraft) February 13, 2025 This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Nebraska football has four former players invited to NFL draft combine
