Taysom Hill

Taysom Hill's Biography

Taysom Shawn Hill, known by his fans as the “The Human Swiss Army Knife,” is a distinguished American professional football player, revered for his versatility and unique skills. Born on August 23, 1990, in Pocatello, Idaho, Taysom has carved a niche for himself in the National Football League (NFL), playing a prominent role for the New Orleans Saints. His journey has been an unconventional one, with his role shifting from a quarterback to a tight end. Taysom’s journey in professional football kicked off back in 2017 when he joined the Saints as an undrafted free agent.

Taysom, who was raised in Pocatello, Idaho, stood out as an all-around athlete during his high school years at Highland High School, excelling in football, basketball, and track. In his senior year, Taysom threw for 2,269 yards and 18 touchdowns, and rushed for an impressive 1,491 yards and 24 touchdowns. He was awarded the All-Idaho Player of the Year, Idaho Gatorade High School Player of the Year, First Team All-State selection, and All-Region and All-Conference Player of the Year accolades.

His agile and robust physical ability extended beyond the football field. As a sophomore, he registered a personal-best time of 22.5 seconds in the 200-meter race, earning third place in the 5A District IV/V/VI Regional Meet in 2007. At the same meet, Taysom’s speed helped the relay team secure a first-place finish. Showing his boisterous athleticism, he demonstrated a talent for long jump, winning the event at the 2009 5A Regional Meet.

Post high school, Taysom received several offers from prestigious athletic programs, including the University of Arizona, Boise State University, Oregon State University, Stanford University, and Brigham Young University (BYU). Initially, Taysom committed to Stanford out of high school. However, he chose to attend BYU after returning from his LDS church mission, largely because the latter allowed incoming freshmen to join the team earlier.

Taysom’s time at BYU was colored by ups and downs, marked by commendable performances and unfortunate injuries. Hill’s first pass as a college player was an 18-yard touchdown in 2012. Despite suffering a season-ending injury, Hill was promoted to the Cougars’ full-time starter in 2013 and recorded impressive stats. The following season, he started off well before a fractured leg cut his season short. Misfortune hit again in 2015 when Taysom suffered a lisfranc fracture in the season opener. However, his resilience earned him a medical redshirt for 2015, which enabled him to return as BYU’s starting quarterback in 2016.

After going undrafted in the 2017 NFL draft, Taysom signed with the Green Bay Packers as a free agent. Despite being released later that year, the New Orleans Saints picked him up immediately. It was with the Saints that Taysom started to make his mark on the professional football scene. Playing predominately on special teams early in his career, Taysom quickly earned a reputation for his multitasking abilities. He has played as a quarterback, kick returner, and has even seen action as a tight end.

During the 2018 season, Taysom found himself juggling various responsibilities on offense and special teams, and would continually line up as a receiver. Staying true to his nickname, “The Human Swiss Army Knife”, Taysom scored his first NFL touchdown run against the Washington Redskins, helping the Saints to a 43-19 victory. That year, Taysom ended the season with 37 carries for 196 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.

The next two years saw Taysom’s role diversify even more. He blocked a punt, rushed for a 30-yard touchdown, and even broke the record for most touchdown receptions by a quarterback in a single season in 2019. By March 2020, the Saints decided to place a restricted free agent tender on Taysom worth $4.641 million, and in April, he re-signed with the Saints to a two-year deal worth $16.3 million.

The next season was marked by a significant career milestone for Taysom. In November 2020, he was given his first career start as a quarterback owing to teammate Drew Brees’ injury. Taysom rose to the challenge, completing 18 out of 23 passes, rushing for 51 yards, and scored two touchdowns. The following week, he recorded yet another game with two rushing touchdowns, making his mark as a versatile player in the NFL.

In March 2021, Taysom inked a four-year, $40 million extension with the Saints. Despite this, he lost out on the 2021 Saints starting quarterback job to Jameis Winston. Continuing his part as a versatile player, he made significant contributions to the team’s victories in various games. On November 22, 2021, his journey as a multi-position player reached another milestone when he signed an additional contract extension with the Saints.

New head coach Dennis Allen marked a new era in Taysom’s career by officially changing his primary position from quarterback to tight end in March 2022. This change in designation did not phase Taysom, who had spent his career adapting and excelling at every opportunity he was given. Despite the physical demands and the challenges that come with playing multiple positions, Taysom has proven time and again that versatility is his middle name. Taysom Hill’s career is a testament to the saying that success is not about finding a perfect position but making the most out of opportunities, much like a Swiss Army Knife.