Justice Hill’s best traits also found in Iowa State’s star RB
Hill’s best traits also found in Cyclones’ Montgomery
J.D. King’s favorite part of being Oklahoma State’s backup running back is the man he’s backing up.
When asked about his role earlier this week, King didn’t detail his capability of providing brute force out of the Cowboys’ backfield. Instead, he went straight to the space he occupies on the depth chart beneath Justice Hill.
"I just get to play with and behind one of the greatest running backs in the country,” King said. “He just has so much character about himself. He doesn't say it a lot, but you can just see him. Like, he walks the walk instead of talks the talk."
It’s true. Hill, a junior, is not particularly loquacious, but his play speaks for him. Fresh off a 31-carry, 189-yard performance against Kansas, Hill enters Saturday’s matchup with Iowa State ranked first in the Big 12 and ninth nationally with 577 rushing yards. Among the 55 players averaging at least 15 carries a game, only Jayhawks freshman Pooka Williams is rushing for more than Hill’s 7.49 yards a carry.
“Whenever he gets the ball, you don't know what he's going to do,” OSU defensive tackle Enoch Smith Jr. said. “He can try to outrun you, stiff-arm you, run you over, juke you. He's extremely versatile, so he always keeps you guessing.”
Hill’s most underrated trait is perhaps his patience, an ability to slow down and wait for the proper point of attack to present itself. Often, he’ll force defenders to pause in anticipation of what he might do.
“Whenever they hesitate, he takes full advantage of it,” Smith said.
These same traits present themselves in Hill’s Saturday counterpart. Iowa State’s David Montgomery rushed for 1,146 yards a season ago, second in the Big 12 behind Hill. With Oklahoma’s Rodney Anderson out for the season with a knee injury, Montgomery and Hill seem to have a clear standing as the league’s top two backs.
Montgomery’s availability for Saturday is unknown, though. He suffered a deep upper arm bruise in last week’s loss to TCU, but if he can play, he’ll play. A workhorse, Hill is averaging 20.5 carries per game, four more than any other Big 12 running back.
“He's not afraid to lower that shoulder and run that ball,” Smith said. “We like that here as a D-line because we get tired of running backs just trying to run away from us. We want somebody to give us a little challenge."
Montgomery, like Hill, presents plenty of challenges, from his patience to his strength to his ability to take a quick cut outside. Smith said he “slithers” through opposing defenses.
“(Montgomery) can make a lot of defenders look dumb," said OSU defensive end Jordan Brailford, tied for the nation’s lead in sacks and tackles for loss. “He’s a very strong runner. Low center of gravity, always keeps his legs moving, and has really good vision.
“Best vision I’ve seen out of a running back since Justice.”
Brailford has particular insight on Hill. Not only has he faced him in practice throughout the past three seasons, but they were also teammates at Tulsa Washington High School.
That experience with Hill could benefit Brailford and the rest of the Cowboys’ defensive front should Montgomery play Saturday.
“Justice is the more explosive back, Brailford said, "but other than that, Montgomery is a tough runner, so we definitely have to be prepared.”