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2017 NFL Draft: Could Taysom Hill transition to free safety?

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One NFC scout says their team has Taysom Hill as a free safety. (Photo via BYU Photos)

BYU held its Pro Day on Friday and former Cougar quarterback Taysom Hill was healthy enough from his season-ending elbow injury to throw the football in drills, and he ended up doing every drill except for the bench press and the 60-yard shuttle. Overall, he probably had the most impressive player at pro day; even more so than likely draft picks Jamaal Williams and Harvey Langi.

Hill ran a blazing 4.44 seconds in the 40-yard dash which would have been the fastest time among the quarterbacks at the NFL Combine — Texas A&M’s Trevor Knight ran the fastest at 4.54 — then his vertical jump at 38.5 inches would have placed him 12th overall.

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His exact position in the NFL is uncertain, and while Hill would consider playing another position his plan is to continue as a quarterback.

“I am open to it, but the plan right now is to go forward and play quarterback,” Hill said when he joined ESPN 960 on March 8. “If someone wants to take a chance on me to learn a new position and they’re willing to go through the learning curve with me and do that then I’d certain be willing to hear them out.”

Then at Friday’s pro day, Hill was asked again if he would change positions, but he said he just really wants a chance at the NFL level.

“I love the game,” said Hill after he completed his work out. “I know the time frame to play at this level is short, so I am going to take advantage of it. I am just talking about playing, so I don’t know what that means.”

A position change is a real possibility and Hill is open to it if he gets the proper time and coaching to learn the new role. His agent, Mark Flores of Pillar Sports Management, echoed the same thing about Hill possibly not playing quarterback in the NFL

“They also can see that he brings other qualities and he could possibly be an H-back, a running back or a safety,” Flores told the Salt Lake Tribune. “He showed today that he adds value in a lot of places. You look at the numbers he put up today, and how well he threw the ball, that might convince a team it ought to take a shot with him.”

The door is not closed on Hill at all playing quarterback as Flores also said that the scouts at Pro Day liked what they say when he has passing the ball.

However, there is one scout that represents an NFC team that said their club already has Hill slotted as a free safety on their draft board.

When comparing Hill’s numbers to those who play safety from the NFL Combine he favors comparably. Hill’s 4.44 in the 40-yard dash would place him fourth overall, his vertical was 12th overall at 38.5 but third in that group and his broad jump of 10-feet-2-inches would have him tied for sixth. Athletically, Hill could play at this position, or others, if he wishes to pursue an NFL career where he is not a quarterback.

Listen to “BYU QB Taysom Hill at Pro Day” on Spreaker.

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