STARKVILLE — Mississippi State junior running back Kylin Hill is going pro.
A Columbus native, Hill announced via Twitter Thursday afternoon that he will forgo his final year of eligibility to enter the NFL Draft.
“My time here has been an incredible experience, and will never forget where I came from,” he wrote in a statement. “Mississippi State is a special place and has been since I first stepped foot on campus. I am truly blessed and will always hold my Bulldog close to my heart.
Hill was named a first team All-SEC performer after leading the conference in rushing with 1,347 yards and 10 touchdowns in 12 regular season games. He also sits just 44 yards shy of Anthony Dixon’s MSU single-season rushing record of 1,391 yards.
“Every time I talk to him we talk about this maturation period he’s going through right now,” MSU running backs coach Terry Richardson said of Hill during preseason camp. “He just had his 21st birthday, (leadership) is something we talk about. We practice it and preach it because not only are we teaching these guys football, we’re teaching them to be better men — and I think he’s buying into that and you’re seeing the results of that.”
After seeing minimal time his freshman season, Hill notched 11 100-yard games over his final two years in Starkville — including a 234-yard, three touchdown performance against Arkansas Nov. 2.
He is expected to play in the Music City Bowl Dec. 30 against Louisville.
Ben Portnoy reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @bportnoy15.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.