Combine performances to date this spring include tossing up 40 reps with 185 on the bar, a shuttle time of 4.5, a 40 time of 5.32 and a vertical leap of 25 inches. Bench press max of 385.

Hill reports a 2.8 GPA/1250 SAT--September retest--"I'm already qualified, but I just want to get a better score."

Hill: "I'm good at being strong and aggressive on the field. I'm also really athletic and I'm a very versatile player because I've played on both sides of the ball in high school. I used to play offensive guard and that has helped me understand the game a lot more.

"I want to keep my numbers consistent on defense this year and help my teammates as much as I can both on and off the field. I also want to help the other players around me gain some college exposure when coaches start coming around again," he said.

Polished defensive end with technique to go along with his size and strength.

Coach Alonzo Carter: "He's very powerful. Derrick gets off the ball really well and when you talk about what other moves he brings to the table -- that's one of his strengths. That's one of the things that all the scouts have noticed about him."