INDIANAPOLIS — University of Florida safeties Ahmad Black and Will Hill went through a lot together during their three years together in Gainesville. In 2008, the Gators had a 13-1 record and won the national championship. The next year, the team was unbeaten and an SEC championship game win away from running the table and having a chance to defend their title before losing to Alabama and settling for a Sugar Bowl win over Cincinnati. Then, last season, Florida disappointed without QB Tim Tebow and stumbled to an 8-5 record. In between, head coach Urban Meyer retired, came back and retired again, and each player faced off-field scrutiny.
As both now prepare for the NFL draft, Black and Hill each said on Sunday at the NFL Scouting Combine that their collegiate careers will have a great impact on their professional futures. Both players have heard the knocks on their games, but neither lacked confidence that they could overcome them.
For Black, the setback is his body. Despite a senior season where he recorded five interceptions and forced three fumbles, NFL teams are worried that the 5-9, 184-pound free safety isn't big enough to handle the rigors of the league. Even though he is considered one of the top safeties in the class, Black said he's still hearing that his size — or lack thereof — is a problem.
"It's frustrating, but people are always talking about size and speed. The thing is, at the end of the day, it's about making plays," Black said. "I just go out there and try to be the best I can be."
Hill left school after his junior season for a couple of reasons: With a wife and three kids, he has a family to support. Also, the coach he loved playing for, Meyer, is no longer at Florida. Unlike Black, Hill does look the part of a professional safety, weighing in at 6-1, 202 pounds. His problem is a lack of production at the college level and questions about his maturity, thanks to some posts on his Twitter account and photos last year that showcased some questionable off-field activities. The safety said that that's all behind him now.
"It got blown out of proportion; Will did this, Will did that," Hill said. "People don't know I've been married for a year now. All that Twitter stuff was seven, eight months before my marriage. Everybody is going off previous things not knowing the real Will Hill."
As for having only four career interceptions despite being one of the nation's top high school recruits three years ago, Hill said, "I think I could have did better actually, coming in my freshman year and dealing with coaches. I feel like I could have had a better career. I think it was decent. I still think I made the right decision to come out."
Hill can improve his maturity; Black really can't do anything about his height. To both, however, they want to make their mark on the field.
"They know guys make mistakes. You have to live and learn," Hill said about the questions teams are asking him. "I'm learning from this experience just being here, and guys tell me what to do next time."
Black asked himself, "Can he make plays or can he not? That's how I live. Teams may pass on me because of my size, but the team that picks me up will definitely have something good."
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