Former BYU quarterback Taysom Hill scored his first NFL touchdown on Oct. 8 against the Washington Redskins.
The touchdown, which occurred on ESPN’s Monday Night Football, was part of a historic night for the New Orleans Saints. Saints quarterback Drew Brees cemented himself in NFL history by becoming the all-time leader in passing yards earlier in the game.
Though the spotlight was on Brees during this historic night, Hill made history of his own by scoring his first touchdown with just under seven minutes remaining in the third quarter.
The two Saints quarterbacks, Brees and Hill, were both on the field when the Pocatello, Idaho, native rushed into the end zone for the 1-yard score. Brees was lined up as a receiver on the play while Hill took the helm at quarterback. Hill rushed right on a quarterback keep and broke the plane after a couple of key blocks by the Saints lineman.
This marked the first time a BYU alum has reached the end zone during the 2018–19 season.
Hill has been used for multiple roles this season, often being praised by his coaches and teammates. When asked if the return of Saints Pro Bowl running-back Mark Ingram would impact Hill’s status on the team, Saints head coach Sean Payton had this to offer:
“It’s a good question, but I don’t think so,” Payton said. “Look, we try to (look at) different ways that he can help us. I don’t see a big impact here.”
Ingram also had words to offer about the former Cougars quarterback, stating that Hill is a beast on the field.
The former Cougar has been used at the quarterback position, as a wide receiver, on special teams as a punt blocker and receiver, among others. Hill turned heads in week two when he showcased his elite speed. He ran the ball out of the end zone after a kickoff in the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns and was finally tackled on the 40-yard line.
Hill runs a 4.44 in the 40-yard dash, which would have placed him as the fastest quarterback in the NFL combine in May of 2018 by 0.19 seconds. Hill’s time of 4.44 has also placed him among the NFL’s fastest quarterbacks over the past decade.
The Saints next take the field on Oct. 21 when they visit Baltimore for an afternoon matchup against the Ravens. Expect to see Hill used for several different roles as he continues his 2018–19 campaign with the Saints.
