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Report: Colts Have Shown Interest in Wyoming Running Back Brian Hill

By Luke Schultheis

Nov 12, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Wyoming Cowboys running back Brian Hill (5) rushes for a touchdown during a game against the UNLV Rebels at Sam Boyd Stadium. UNLV won the game in the third overtime period 69-66. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Wyoming Cowboys running back Brian Hill (5) rushes for a touchdown during a game against the UNLV Rebels at Sam Boyd Stadium. UNLV won the game in the third overtime period 69-66. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /
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According to the Indianapolis Star’s Stephen Holder, the Indianapolis Colts have expressed interest in Wyoming running back Brian Hill during this week’s NFL Combine:

The 5’11”, 219 pound running back finished his standout Cowboys career with 4,287 rushing yards on 775 carries (5.5 ypc avg) and 35 rushing touchdowns.

Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wyoming Cowboys running back Brian Hill speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wyoming Cowboys running back Brian Hill speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Hill also had 41 receptions for 403 receiving yards in his 3-year collegiate career.

He’s coming off a star season in which he rushed for 1,860 rushing yards and a whopping 22 rushing touchdowns on 349 carries (5.3 ypc avg) and earned First-Team All-Mountain West honors for his exceptional season-long performance.

It’s worth noting that Colts head coach Chuck Pagano‘s alma mater is the University of Wyoming, so there’s one potential connection already there.

Currently projected to be a mid-round pick in what’s considered to a very deep draft class at running back by many draft experts, Hill could be a potential ‘bruising’ sleeper for the Colts:

Specifically, Hill has drawn comparisons to emerging Miami Dolphins young running back Jay Ajayi, who just had a breakout season:

Given Hill’s tendency to seek out contact and ‘mix it up’, it’s easy to see some of the similarities–although long-term, it may not be the best idea for his longevity:

Oct 22, 2016; Reno, NV, USA; Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen (17) throws a touchdown pass to running back Brian Hill (5) in the first quarter of their NCAA football game with the Nevada Wolf Pack at MacKay Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Reno, NV, USA; Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen (17) throws a touchdown pass to running back Brian Hill (5) in the first quarter of their NCAA football game with the Nevada Wolf Pack at MacKay Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports /

Of course, the Colts could clearly use a long-term answer at the running back position, as veteran starter Frank Gore turns 34 years old in May. Not to mention, last year’s primary backup Robert Turbin is set to become a free agent.

The Colts could groom Hill or any young running back prospect behind Gore for a season before fully turning them loose after next season. However, it’s not out of the question that a young running back could push Gore for the starter’s job either.

Next: Report: Colts Met with Ohio State Linebacker Raekwon McMillan at NFL Combine

While the Colts have also been linked to Florida State’s Dalvin Cook in the first round of this year’s NFL Draft, a mid-round draft pick on a running back such as Hill could make a lot more sense–especially given all the team’s holes defensively.

Along with Toledo’s Kareem Hunt and Boise State’s Jeremy McNichols among others, Hill appears to be one of the mid-round running back prospects to keep an eye on for the Colts come draft weekend.

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