Jordan Hill is heading west.
The former Penn State defensive tackle and All-Big Ten selection in 2012 was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
Taken with the 87th pick, Hill is the first Penn Stater to be selected. In the 2012 season, he started all 12 games for the Nittany Lions, recording 64 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and leading the defense with 8.5 tackles for loss. His shining moment was a dominating second half on Senior Day in the overtime victory over Wisconsin. Hill finished the contest with a team high 12 tackles in addition to two sacks and three tackles for loss.
Hill will look to continue his success in Seattle where he will be joining a talented 11-5 squad in the NFC West. Seattle came within a few seconds of advancing to the NFC Championship Game last season. Although their Penn State tenures did not overlap, Hill will be teammates with former Penn State quarterback Michael Robinson. Hill and former Penn State teammate and linebacker NaVorro Bowman, will face each other twice a season as Seattle takes on the San Francisco 49ers.
Linebackers Gerald Hodges and Michael Mauti along with center Matt Stankiewitch are among the former Nittany Lions that could hear their names called tomorrow as the draft concludes with rounds 4-7.
Update: 10:37 p.m. — Shortly after being selected, Hill did an interview with the Seahawks where he described being drafted as an “emotional feeling.” The former Nittany Lion defensive tackle goes on to speak highly of Penn State, saying the only way he would have left the program is if there wasn’t a season in 2012. From Steelton, Pa, he has never been to Seattle but is excited to get his NFL career underway.
