2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Braxton Hill, LB, Montana
Player Data
| Name, Jersey # | Braxton Hill, #35 |
| School (Code) | MTUN |
| DOB, Class Yr | 10/22/1999 |
| Height, Weight | 6020, 225 |
| 40 Yd Dash | N/A |
| Position/Depth | ILB, #1 |
| Honors/Captainship | 2023 All-Big Sky First Team |
| Season Viewed (yr) | 2023 |
| Games Watched | @IDUN, MTST, SCFU, NDST, SDST |
| Scout Name / Date | Ryan Vidales 2/2/24 |
Per Year Stats
| 2023 | 15 GP, 128 Tkls, 7.5 TFL, 4.0 Sks, 2 INT, 5 PBU, 1 FR |
| 2022 | 12 GP, 66 Tkls, 5.0 TFL, 3.0 Sks, 3 PBU |
| 2021 | 12 GP, 27 Tkls, 3.5 TFL, 2.0 Sks, 1 FR |
| 2020 | 2 GP, 5 Tkls, 1.0 TFL |
| 2019 | 10 GP, 5 Tkls |
| 2018 | DNP (Greyshirt) |
Player Summary:
Braxton Hill is a sixth-year ILB with ideal height, adequate LB weight, a well-built frame, and an athletic lower half. Started 15 games at WILL Linebacker in Montana’s 3-3-5 defense and served as a team captain for the Griz during their National Championship run in 2023. Finished fifth in the FCS in total tackles (128) and received All-Big Sky First Team recognition for the first time in his career. Hill exhibits great play speed & range to scrape down the LOS and string out runs toward the sideline. Possesses high-quality burst to close to pursue the ball from sideline to sideline and trigger downhill to the flats. Tracks the inside hip well when taking his angles to the ball carrier. Protects the edge by attacking the outside shoulder to force plays back inside, which signals high FBI and keen instincts/awareness. Can get overpowered at the POA when IOL reach him at the second level, but he competes with solid play strength and ankle flexibility to strain & maintain balance. Capable stack and shed to deter lineman from getting inside his chest plate. Efficiently sifts through contact in the first level using active vision. Proficient reactionary athleticism & acceleration support his plus pass-rush ability through the interior and off the edge. Offers effective UOH to swipe away contact and pushes the pocket nicely with potent knockback in his bull rush. Does not display a wide variety of pass-rush moves off the edge but his flexible lower half allows him to dip below contact and run the hoop. His strong functional mobility, fluid lateral agility, and innate spatial awareness serve him well when covering the underneath & intermediate MOF. Consistently operates with high energy, effort, and intensity. Chases down runs from the backside and pursues the ball to all three ranges of the field. His toughness and competitiveness should enhance his ability to cover punts and kicks on special teams if called upon.
Scheme Fit:
4-3 WILL
Power Statement:
Hill is a tough, productive, and instinctual ILB with the requisite play speed/range and coverage acumen to operate from the WILL spot at the next level. He has intriguing special teams upside to contribute on punt & kick coverage early in his career.