Despite being a fifth-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Tyreek Hill has clearly established himself as the best wide receiver from his class.
Through seven-plus seasons, Hill has totaled 9,154 receiving yards, putting him more than 2,600 yards ahead of Michael Thomas, who was a second-round selection in 2016. He is also the leader in receptions (640) and receiving touchdowns (69). Oh, and let's not forget about his rushing yards (765) and rushing touchdowns (7), too.
Why did an incredibly talented wideout like Hill slide so far down the draft board?
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Tyreek Hill college timeline
After starring at Coffee High School (Douglas, Ga.), Hill attended Garden City Community College (Garden City, Kan.). He racked up nearly 1,200 yards of offense as a sophomore before heading to Oklahoma State.
Hill emerged as an all-around threat with the Cowboys during the 2014 season. He had 534 rushing yards and 281 receiving yards in 12 games, but his biggest impact came on returns. He finished with nearly 1,000 kick and punt return yards, landing in the top 20 nationally in both categories.
Hill only lasted one season at Oklahoma State, though. He was dismissed in December 2014 after being arrested on domestic violence charges. Hill's girlfriend at the time told police that an argument turned physical, saying that Hill choked her and punched her in the stomach. She was eight weeks pregnant with his child and eventually gave birth to a boy.
In August 2015, Hill pleaded guilty to domestic assault and battery by strangulation. He received three years probation, and as part of the plea deal, he was required to either attend school full-time or be employed.
Hill enrolled at the University of West Alabama (Livingston, Ala.) ahead of the 2015 season. Tigers head coach Brett Gilliland said he didn't initially want to bring Hill into the program after reading the police report describing the incident, but his conversations with Hill and the judge's ruling changed his mind.
"He was on a pretty short leash," Gilliland said. "We had a good support system around him. He knew that coming in. But it wasn't like we ever really had to enforce anything with him. He wanted to be successful, and he wanted to overcome his past."
Hill once again thrived in his role as a do-it-all player. He had 681 rushing and receiving yards and more than 700 kick and punt return yards at West Alabama. The Chiefs then selected Hill with No. 165 pick in the 2016 draft, eliciting a strong reaction from the Kansas City faithful.
"The fans have every right to be mad at me. I did something wrong. I let my emotions get the best of me, and I shouldn't have did it," Hill said. "They have every right to be mad. But guess what? I'm fixing to come back, be a better man, be a better citizen, and everything takes care of itself, and let God do the rest. ...
"I don't blame nobody but myself. It's my fault, my mistake. Can't nobody live my life but me, so I've got to deal with it."
Hill played six seasons with the Chiefs before they sent him to the Dolphins as part of a 2022 offseason trade.
Tyreek Hill college stats
Garden City Community College (2013)
- Rushing: 101 attempts, 659 yards, five touchdowns
- Receiving: 32 receptions, 532 yards, six touchdowns
- Kick return: 8 returns, 107 yards
- Punt return: 12 returns, 63 yards
Oklahoma State (2014)
- Rushing: 102 attempts, 534 yards, one touchdown
- Receiving: 31 receptions, 281 yards, one touchdown
- Kick return: 30 returns, 740 yards, two touchdowns
- Punt return: 27 returns, 256 yards, one touchdown
West Alabama (2015)
- Rushing: 25 attempts, 237 yards, one touchdown
- Receiving: 27 receptions, 444 yards, three touchdowns
- Kick return: 20 returns, 465 yards, two touchdowns
- Punt return: 20 returns, 257 yards, two touchdowns
