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Mississippi State Football: How Kylin Hill became a Green Bay Packer

By Derrick Thomas

NEW ORLEANS, LA - AUGUST 31: Running back Kylin Hill #8 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs runs the ball through traffic during their game against the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns at Mercedes Benz Superdome on August 31, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - AUGUST 31: Running back Kylin Hill #8 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs runs the ball through traffic during their game against the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns at Mercedes Benz Superdome on August 31, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) /
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The 2021 NFL draft came and went, and two Bulldogs had their names called and will join the ranks of Mississippi State Bulldogs drafted into the NFL. I expected Kylin Hill to be off the board well before he was selected in the 7th round. The 2020 season has been a whirlwind for Hill.

During the offseason, Hill made the tweet about the flag being changed. The Mississippi Legislature voted the change the glad in June. Hill and the Bulldogs upset LSU to start the season. By the Texas A&M game, Hill opted out to prepare for the NFL Draft.

Over the next few months, Hill would train all while continuing his studies towards his degree. Hill was able to showcase his abilities in front of scouts at the Senior Bowl and won an award as the top RB on the American squad.

Hill also returned to campus and tested well at the Bulldogs Pro day. He was rated as a 4th round pick, possibly even a 3rd rounder by some draft services. The stage was set for Hill to achieve his childhood dream of being an NFL player.

The Maroon Connection behind Kylin Hill becoming a Green Bay Packer.

The Green Bay Packers don’t have a particular need at running back. They return Aaron Jones and 2020 draft pick AJ Dillon. I did feel Green Bay would be a great fit for Hill because of  Aaron Rodgers, how the Packers used Jones, and the familiarity of four Bulldogs being on the roster.

I missed one connection, and when I realized this fact, I felt this had to be the reason the Packers drafted Kylin Hill. You have to go back to 2018 to see how this connection worked in Kylin Hill’s favor.

The 2018 season at Mississippi State was the first under Joe Moorhead. Hill earned the starting RB job and would go onto have a breakout game against Kansas State, rushing for 215 yards and two touchdowns. Hill would be the 2nd leading rusher and tie for the reception leader that season.

The offensive coordinator for Mississippi State in 2018 was Luke Getsky. Getsky is now an offensive assistant with the Packers. With Hill falling in the draft and on the verge of going undrafted, a coach who knew him went to bat for him.

Getsky spent one season in Starkville coaching Kylin Hill. The relationship was solid enough for Hill to feel that Getsky was the man behind the Packers drafting him. Check out the video below of Packers GM Brian Gutekunst on the Getsky-Hill connection.

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