UWA return man Ty Hill drafted by Kansas City Chiefs

Taken by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round of the 2016 National Football League Draft, West Alabama return specialist Tyreek Hill became the first Tiger drafted since Ken Hutcherson was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round and Larry Lightfoot by the New York Jets in the eighth round, both in 1974 Draft.

Other UWA players taken in the NFL Draft include end Bill Johnson to the Detroit Lions in the 18 round of the 1966 Draft and back Jack Jones to the Cleveland Browns in the 27th round of the 1951 Draft.

From Douglas, Georgia, Hill played his final college season at UWA after transferring from Oklahoma State. If he makes the Chiefs roster he will be the 13th West Alabama player to play in a regular season NFL game.

In his only season as a Tiger, Hill accounted for 1,403 all-purpose yards on the way to earning All-Gulf South Conference and All Super Region 2 honors as well.

“I am very proud for Tyreek. It is a great accomplishment for him and for the UWA football program,” UWA head coach Brett Gillialnd said. “He has put in a lot of hard work to get to this point.

“Although he is the first UWA Tiger drafted in a while, he is continuing a recent trend of UWA players in the NFL. We love when our guys get recognition and opportunities to play at the highest level,” Gillialnd said. “I know Tyreek will be making big time plays on Sunday’s just like other Tigers Malcolm Butler and Seth Roberts have been.”

Hill returned 20 kickoffs for 465 yards and two touchdowns and 20 punts for 257 yards and a pair of scores. He averaged 23.25 yards per kickoff return and 12.85 yards per punt return.

As a slot receiver/running back, Hill carried the ball 25 times for 237 yards (9.50 ypc) and a TD. He caught 27 passes for 444 yards and three scores, averaging 16.44 yards per reception.