Taysom Hill’s time in New Orleans is over, but the imprint he left on the Saints - and on the sport itself - isn’t going anywhere.
Saints coach Kellen Moore said Hill gave his team a model for how to carve out a place in the NFL after Hill announced his nine-year run in New Orleans had ended. “He’s the guy that a lot of our guys can look to as an example of growing in the NFL and finding roles and finding opportunities,” Moore said.
“Everyone, for the last few years, has been chasing to find the next Taysom. But there really is just one Taysom.”
That one-of-one label fits. Hill was headed to Stanford to be Jim Harbaugh’s Swiss army knife quarterback before his two-year church mission to Sydney, Australia changed the path. When Harbaugh left for the 49ers, Hill shifted his plans to Provo.
BYU got the version of Hill that turned heads nationally, and it started to feel real on Sept. 7, 2013 against No. 15 Texas. After a two-hour weather delay, Hill put together one of the most memorable outings in program history.
Trailing 7-3 late in the first quarter, BYU faced third-and-two when Hill faked a handoff to Jamaal Williams and bounced left. Three Texas defenders had chances to stop him, but the 6-foot-2, 221-pound runner powered through them and raced 68 yards for a touchdown.
“There he goes!” was all I could muster on the mic. The 60,000-plus soggy fans took the call from there and screamed in delight for all 68 yards of Hill’s touchdown run.
Hill wasn’t close to done. He added a 20-yard touchdown run midway through the second quarter to put BYU ahead 17-14, then broke free again early in the third on third-and-10 for a 26-yard score. That one ended with Hill back-stepping across the goal line like he was back home in Pocatello, Idaho, battling his buddies on the side yard.
By the end of the day, Hill had averaged 15.2 yards per carry and piled up 259 rushing yards in BYU’s 41-20 win. The performance was so overwhelming that Texas coach Mack Brown fired his defensive coordinator afterward. More importantly for Hill, it put him on the NFL radar.
A year later, Texas had a new defensive coordinator and a rematch in Austin. The Longhorns still couldn’t contain him.
Even after a 66-yard touchdown run was wiped out in the first quarter, Hill kept pressing forward in the heat. Then came the play everyone remembers: on second-and-eight from the 30, Hill dropped back, felt the pressure, stepped up and took off.
“Hill steps out of pressure, has a seam for a first down - and more - hurdles his way - highlight reel! Touchdown!”
Hill’s leap over a diving Texas defender came around the 8-yard line, about 10 yards from where Blaine Fowler and I were stationed. It was the first of three touchdowns in BYU’s 41-7 win, and the reaction was the same as everyone else’s: “Wow!”
The NFL eventually got the message. The Packers cut Hill after signing him as a free agent before the 2017 season, and New Orleans pounced. Sean Payton knew exactly what he was getting.
In 124 games with the Saints, Hill produced 2,426 passing yards, 2,511 rushing yards, 1,034 receiving yards and 46 total touchdowns. He also logged 20 kickoff returns, a punt return, 22 tackles and a blocked punt while working on special teams.
His numbers place him in rare company. Hill is the only player in the Super Bowl era with at least 1,000 yards passing, receiving and rushing. He’s also the only player since 1957 - and one of five overall - with at least 10 touchdown passes, receptions and runs.
Drew Brees summed up what Hill meant to New Orleans in a tribute video released this week by the Saints: “When we needed more, he gave us everything because that’s what it means to be a Saint in New Orleans,” Brees said. “We adapt.
We endure. No shortcuts.
No excuses. All heart and soul.
Forever a Saint. Forever a legend.”
What comes next is Hill’s call. He’ll turn 36 in August, but the skill set is still there, and there are teams with enough creativity to use it.
Sean Payton is in Denver now. Andy Reid is in Kansas City.
Sean McVay is in Los Angeles with Puka Nacua. Any of them could make sense.
For Hill, the next decision is simple enough: keep finishing drives in the end zone, or start crushing drives with his driver at Riverside Country Club. Either way, one path comes with a lot less contact.
He never claimed to be perfect. But because of the way he played, and the way he carried himself, he’ll always be a Saint in New Orleans. And thanks to Texas, he’ll stay on the BYU highlight reel no matter what he does next.
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