Texans rookie Jamal Hill honored by official proclamation in Georgia hometown

HOUSTON – Texans rookie linebacker Jamal Hill was honored by the Clayton County Board of Commissioners for his accomplishments on the football field and his work in the community that includes hosting turkey giveaways for families in need for the past three years.

The proclamation states: ‘I, Jeffrey E. Turner, Chairman of the Clayton County Board of Commissioners, do hereby honor Jamal Hill, a 6th Round Pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, a Clayton County native, A Morrow High School Mustang like me, for his unwavering dedication to his education for all the hard work it took on and off the football field to get him to where he is today.”

Hill is a sixth-round draft pick from Oregon who played linebacker and safety in college and has run the 40-yard dash in 4.41 seconds.

A Morrow High School graduate, Hill earned a full scholarship to play for the Ducks where he finished his career with 145 tackles, five tackles for losses, two sacks and two interceptions.

The college graduate signed a four-year, $4.209 million contract that includes a $189,392 signing bonus.

Texans draft Oregon linebacker-safety Jamal Hill (4.41 speed) in sixth round

Source: Texans agree to four-year, $4.209 million deal with sixth-round linebacker Jamal Hill

Hill has forged a special-teams role due to his speed and aggressiveness. He has played in five games for the 6-3 Texans, apptearing in 75 plays for 49 percent of the special-teams snaps. He has yet to play on defense.

“I’ll do whatever they want me to do on special teams,” Hill said after being drafted by the defending AFC South champions. “I think that will be my path my first few years in the NFL. I’m just happy. I’m overwhelmed. I’m happy to be a Texan. The best part of my game is running and attacking.”

Hill met virtually with the Texans with a follow-up video meeting with linebackers coach Bill Davis and special teams coordinator Frank Ross since that initial meeting. He was initially scheduled to visit, but had a schedule conflict.

“They sold me on the vision of playing linebacker and how I can help my team and NFL teams in the future,” Hill said of his switch to linebacker.

The Texans traded their 189th overall pick in the sixth round to the Detroit Lions in exchange for their 205th overall pick in the sixth round and a 2024 seventh-round draft pick (249th overall).

Hill did virtual meetings with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills and New York Jets and visited the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos and he did the Atlanta Falcons’ local prospect day. Hill has met with the San Francisco 49ers individually. He’s up to 226 pounds from 216 pounds since his Pro Day.

Hill ran the 40-yard dash in 4.41 second with a 33-inch vertical leap and a 10-1 broad jump. His 40-yard dash would have led all linebackers at the combine and tied him with the best safety time.

Hills had 31 tackles, five for losses and two sacks as a senior and forced two fumbles.

Hill had 50 tackles with one forced fumble as a junior.

“My family means everything to me,” Hill said. “It’s giving them something to be proud of.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com