New Mississippi State coach Mike Leach received good news Wednesday when running back Kylin Hill changed his mind and announced his intent to return for his senior season.
And junior middle linebacker Erroll Thompson joined him in putting off the NFL draft, as they announced their decisions within minutes of each other on Twitter.
Hill, a second-team All-SEC selection as a junior, said in mid-December that he would turn pro, after which the school released a tribute video to him. Hill rushed for 1,350 yards and 10 touchdowns last season but ultimately opted against joining a talented running back draft class that includes Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor, Georgia’s D’Andre Swift and Ohio State’s J.K. Dobbins, among others.
“There’s some unfinished business to take care of with my brothers,” Hill wrote on Twitter.
Hill caught 18 passes last season, and his role in that area could expand in Leach’s Air Raid offense. His Washington State attack led the nation in 2019 in passing yards (437.2 per game) and passes per game (54.5).
Thompson is the defensive leader for the Bulldogs, posting 84 tackles, including 3.5 for loss, last season. He also forced a fumble and broke up two passes. Thompson (6-1, 250) has 217 career tackles, with 18 for loss and 6.5 sacks.
The deadline for underclassmen to declare for the NFL draft is Friday.
