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HOUSTON When Texans linebacker Jamal Hill sprinted down the field to cover a kickoff against the Arizona Cardinals last December, there was no stopping him.
Hill accelerated at top speed before delivering a textbook tackle on Jalen Brooks.
The force of the hit dislodged the football with the fumble popping high into the air into the hands of teammate Dare Ogumbowale.
Recommended Videos The turnover-causing tackle marked the biggest play of his career so far, and perhaps it sets the stage for a greater role this season.
Hill is among the competitors vying for the third linebacker job after starter E.J.
Speed suffered a season-ending torn quadriceps tendon that required surgery.
Yeah, a lot of confidence, Hill told KPRC 2.
Ready to just show the world what Im capable of.
Hill, 25, is a speedy converted safety from Oregon.
At 6-foot, 222 pounds, Hill has run the 40-yard dash in 4.41 seconds.
He recorded a career-high six tackles last season while appearing in a dozen games.
He played 75 percent of the Texans special teams snaps, and played three snaps on defense.
The linebacker group is a really competitive group, probably the most competitive its been in a while, said Texans coach DeMeco Ryans, a two-time Pro Bowl linebacker.
We have a lot of young players, which I like, a lot of young players in that room that can all play.
Thats the exciting part about it.
A lot of great athletes in that position.
Jamal is one of those guys.
Hes shined and flashed a couple of plays on special teams for us last year.
I remember a play versus the Cardinals.
One of our special teams goals was to take the football away, and Jamal goes down, first play of kickoff, first play of the game, and he puts his hat on the football.
We get a huge turnover.
He really set the tone for us.
Im just still pouring into him to not only get it done on the special teams aspect, but also grow as a player to where, can you go out and play true, first, second, third, down for us.
Hes growing.
Hes gotten better.
Being a safety whos converted to the linebacker position, hes done a really good job of that.
Hill underwent wrist surgery to repair a torn ligament earlier this offseason, per a league source.
Hill participated in all of the offseason practices as he works his way back to full strength.
Hes expected to make a complete recovery by training camp.
Hill has put on some muscle this offseason and has participated in the Texans workout program for months while rehabbing from the surgery.
Hill is competing with several linebackers, including veterans Jake Hansen, Marte Mapu and Jake Hummel and rookies Wade Woodaz and Aiden Fisher During the offseason, his jersey was retired at Morrow High School in Georgia where he was an all-region and all-county safety.
It means everything to me, just showing the kids that its possible that you dont have to transfer to different schools, Hill said.
I stayed at the same highschool my whole career, same college my whole career, like, just stay down where youre at and work.
That means a lot.
Hill is mentored by Pro Bowl linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair.
Just the process, like trusting the process every day and having the process every day, Hill said.
Not just the days that you have to be in the building, but the days youre not in the building.
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.