JH #56

Jamal Hill

Linebacker · Oregon

A safety-turned-linebacker who ran a blazing 4.41 forty at the combine, Jamal Hill has carved out a niche as a core special-teamer for Houston.

Jamal Hill is a linebacker who made the unusual switch from safety late in his college career and turned his speed into an NFL role. Drafted by the Houston Texans in 2024, he has built his early career on special-teams value and depth snaps at inside linebacker while learning the position on the fly.

★ Ran a 4.41-second forty at the 2024 NFL Combine, among the fastest at his position

★ Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week honors at Oregon after a two-interception game vs. USC

★ 145 career tackles across 60 games at Oregon

Path to the league

Hill spent most of his Oregon career as a two-year starter at safety before moving to linebacker for his final season in 2023. The Texans took him in the sixth round, 188th overall, of the 2024 NFL Draft, betting on his rare speed for the position - he ran a 4.41-second forty at the combine, a time that would have led all linebackers.

Career highlights

At Oregon, Hill finished with 145 tackles, five tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, two sacks and two interceptions across 60 games. His signature college moment came in Oregon's 2020 Pac-12 championship win over USC, where he intercepted two passes and earned conference player of the week honors.

2025 season recap

Hill has continued in a depth and special-teams role for Houston since arriving as a rookie, working behind the Texans' starting linebacker group while contributing on coverage units. He has not yet emerged as a primary defensive starter, but his athletic profile keeps him in the mix for an expanded role.