Article Options

Former Salukis sign deals after NFL draft

By Todd Hefferman, The Southern

Sunday, April 27, 2008 9:16 PM CDT

The Chicago Bears' third quarterback spot is still up for grabs, and a former Southern Illinois University quarterback is going after it.

Du Quoin native Nick Hill agreed to a three-year, free-agent contract with the Bears shortly after the NFL draft concluded Sunday. The deal began shortly after the sixth round ended, and hit some hurdles along the way. The Buffalo Bills' quarterbacks coach called Hill toward the end of the seventh and final round, and said if they decided to draft an offensive player, they were going to take the 6-foot-3 lefty.

The Bills ended up taking defensive back Kennard Cox of Pittsburgh with the 251st pick, their last of the draft.

"Even though the Bills were a good situation, it's probably a good situation they didn't draft me," Hill said Sunday night. "I'm going to Chicago, there are two QBs, and I'm going to be playing for that third spot. They told me they're planning on keeping three on the active roster and one on the practice team."

Hill joined SIU teammate Darren Marquez in the NFL. Marquez, a 6-4, 300-pound offensive tackle, signed with the Indianapolis Colts following the draft. He also had talks with Washington and Tennessee, but thought Indianapolis was the best situation. Former Saluki wideout Alan Turner did not immediately return a message left on his cell phone Sunday night.

Indianapolis drafted two offensive linemen over the weekend. The Colts took tackle Mike Pollak of Arizona State with the 59th overall selection in the second round, and picked up Jamey Richard in the seventh round with the 236th pick.

"I think it's a good situation," Marquez said Sunday night. "I fit what they're looking for, an athletic tackle. I'm just going to go out there and compete everyday."

Indianapolis has seven offensive tackles on its current roster.

The two joined former Salukis Brandon Jacobs (running back, New York Giants), Braden Jones (tight end, Minnesota), Brent Little (wide receiver, Minnesota), Bart Scott (linebacker, Baltimore) and Arkee Whitlock (running back, Minnesota) in the NFL.

Thirteen quarterbacks were taken Saturday and Sunday, including one from the FCS level. Delaware's Joe Flacco, a 6-7, 236-pounder with one of the highest-rated arms in the field, was taken by Baltimore with the 18th overall pick.

Hill wasn't surprised by the Bears' call. Chicago was the only NFL team to officially take Hill into its facility earlier this year, where he toured the team's headquarters and spoke to the Bears' coaching staff. He'd spoken with the Washington Redskins earlier in the week. Washington drafted Hawaii's Colt Brennan with the 186th pick in the sixth round.

Hill led SIU to a 12-2 mark this year. He started all 14 games and completed 258-of-361 attempts for 3,175 yards and 28 touchdowns with seven interceptions. Also an athletic runner, the 2002 Southern Prep Football Player of the Year rushed for 357 yards and four scores.

Beginning Thursday, he'll start competing for a spot on the team. Hill said the Bears told him they'd bring in one other free agent quarterback, but that the third spot was up for grabs. Rex Grossman, a six-year righty out of Florida, and former Purdue standout Kyle Orton are the Bears' only quarterbacks.

Chicago finished 7-9 a year after making the Super Bowl and missed the playoffs.

A special education major, Hill is student teaching at Thomas Elementary School in Carbondale. He has eight weeks left after this year, which ends May 7, but might have to put off those plans if he lands on the Bears' roster. He'll leave Thursday for Chicago, and will practice Friday.

"It's a great feeling knowing that I'm in the NFL. It's a dream come true," Hill said. "I'm just happy for the opportunity that I'm signed on with an NFL team, and can call myself a Chicago Bear. When I was a Du Quoin player, I always thought I'd be in the NFL. People probably didn't believe me. On Friday, I'll be wearing an NFL uniform."

todd.hefferman@thesouthern.com / 351-5087