BYU football: Taysom Hill activated by Saints, plays special teams

Former BYU football quarterback Taysom Hill was activated by the Saints on Sunday, prior to their game with the Panthers. Hill played on special teams.

A year ago, Taysom Hill was throwing touchdown passes for BYU football.

Now, he’s trying to cover kickoffs and block punts for the New Orleans Saints. A lot can change in 365(ish) days.

But don’t worry, Taysom Hill is still Taysom Hill. Which means he’s an incredible football player and top-notch athlete.

Hill made a number of plays on special teams for New Orleans – including a handful of tackles and a nearly blocked punt. The broadcast also mentioned that Saints head coach Sean Payton called Hill the quarterback of the future for the team.

Granted, with future Hall of Famer Drew Brees currently under center, there’s no telling when that future will come for the former Cougar.

Still, it’s incredible to see Hill back on the football field and making plays. Every BYU football fan knows how exciting he was to watch – and how hard-working he was – but his career was unfortunately marred by a number of injuries. Seeing him flash his athleticism brings back memories of stiff-arms against Virginia and hurdles against Texas.

Good times.

Makes you wonder if the Green Bay Packers are kicking themselves.

They made the decision to cut Hill after a pretty solid preseason where he certainly passed the eye test. Then Aaron Rodgers got hurt and the Packers are stuck relying on Brett Hundley (who threw for 84 yards today). Granted, they didn’t know Rodgers would get injured – but it just goes to show you that you can’t pass up on talent.

The Saints thought he was such an impressive athlete that the played him at gunner. Surely he could have been making plays alongside his former BYU football backfield mate, Jamaal Williams, in Wisconsin.

In any event, props to Hill. He was a hard working, classy athlete throughout his entire career in Provo. He deserves all the praise that’s coming his way.