AggieYell.com - Brown, Hill ready to hear names called

April 25, 2009

Sometime this weekend, former NC State stars Andre Brown and Anthony Hill, hope to receive that most important phone call from an NFL team letting them know they are about to draft them.

The two-day draft features the first two rounds today, starting at 4 p.m. on ESPN. Rounds 3-through-7 start at 10 a.m. Sunday. Brown, a big running back with speed at 6-foot and 224 pounds, is the more likely of the two Wolfpack standouts to possibly go in the first two rounds today.

"Some people say first day, some people say second day," Brown noted. "I'm just going to expect the worst, hope for the best. Get the opportunity if I get drafted to go in there, earn a spot on the roster and play ball."

Hill, a big 6-foot-5, 262-pound blocking tight end with pass catching experience, has been projected to go as high as the third round and is a solid bet to be drafted Sunday.

Both players cemented their draft status with solid performances at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Ind., on Feb. 18-24.

Brown ran the all-important 40-yard dash in 4.49 seconds, fifth best among running backs. His 24 bench press reps at 225 pounds ranked 10th at his position, and his 37-inch vertical was tied for fifth best.

Hill ran 4.84-seconds in the 40-yard dash, benched pressed 225 pounds 21 times and had a 30.5-inch vertical jump at the NFL Combine.

"I showed people that my pectoral [injury from this past season] was healthy," Hill said. "I felt I did a great job there and I helped my stock there."

Since the combine and NC State's Pro Day on March 18, the two players have been visiting various NFL teams.

Brown has visited the Arizona Cardinals, San Diego Chargers, Houston Texans and the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Baltimore native also attended the Ravens' local prospect day.

Brown has also had private workouts with the Cincinnati Bengals, Carolina Panthers, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Brown tallied 767 rushing yards on 175 carries and seven touchdowns last year, plus caught 29 passes for 309 and two scores. Brown rushed for 2,523 career yards on 523 carries and 22 touchdowns in his Wolfpack career.

Hill has also been busy with workouts for the Denver Broncos, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets, among others.

Hill caught 19 passes for 234 yards and four touchdowns in nine games last fall, but also showed how productive he could be when healthy with 45 catches for 478 yards in 2006,

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Yahoo! Sports in conjunction with National Football Post, ranked Brown No. 71 overall and the No. 6 running back in the draft. Watch Video Highlights of Brown.

Naitonal Football Post predicts Brown to go with the No. 58 overall pick in the second round to the New England Patriots.

Hill was No. 150 overall and the No. 11 tight end by National Football post. Watch Video Highlights of Hill.

Nolan Nawrocki of Pro Football Weekly ranks Brown the No. 50 overall player, and No. 4 running back, and Hill No. 113 overall and No. 9 tight end.

Todd McShay of Scouts, Inc., has Brown slated to go with the No. 60 overall pick in the second round to the New York Giants. He also has Hill projected for the fifth round to the Carolina Panthers with the No. 163 overall selection.

Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN has Brown with the No. 52 pick in the second round to the New York Jets in his early April mock draft, while Hill was at No. 88 to the Baltimore Ravens in the third round.

NFLDraftScout.com ranks Brown the No. 58 player overall, and No. 5 running back, in conjunction with cbssports.com. Hill is ranked No. 119 overall and No. 8 among tight ends.

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