Tye Hill John Tye Hill ( born June 3 , 1982 ) is an American former college and professional football cornerback who played in the National Football League ( NFL ) for five seasons . He played college football for Clemson University , and earned All - American honors . He was drafted by the St . Louis Rams in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft , and also played professionally for the Atlanta Falcons , Tennessee Titans and Detroit Lions of the NFL . Early years . Hill was born in St . George , South Carolina . He attended Woodland High School in Dorchester , South Carolina , and played high school football . During his senior year he rushed for 1 , 445 yards in seven games . College career . Hill attended Clemson University , where he played for the Clemson Tigers football team from 2001 to 2005 . He graduated with degree in human resource development . Hill was an All - American selection in 2005 and also a first - team All - Atlantic Coast Conference ( ACC ) choice . He was also a finalist for the Thorpe Award , given to nation ’ s top defensive back . He had three interceptions , defended 7 passes and 54 total tackles . In 2004 Hill defensed 21 passes , two tackles for a loss and a sack to go along with his 52 tackles . In 2003 he started 11 of the 13 games and had seven pass breakups and two interceptions in his first season as a defensive back while also totaling 37 tackles . In 2002 Hill was a running back and was Clemson ' s third - leading rusher as a freshman with 225 yards on 42 carries and led all Tiger running backs in yards per carry ( 5 . 4 ) . In 2001 he red - shirted as a running back . Track and field . Hill was also an accomplished member of the track and field team at Clemson , winning three ACC championships and several all - conference accolades . In 2004 , he came in first in the 60 meter dash at the ACC Indoor Track and Field Championship with a time of 6 . 71 seconds . He also posted personal bests of 10 . 27 seconds in the 100 meters and 20 . 97 seconds in the 200 meters . Professional career . Pre - draft . While at the 2006 NFL Combine he also posted the fastest electronically timed 40 yard dash — 4 . 31 seconds . St . Louis Rams . Hill was drafted in the first round ( 15th overall ) by the St . Louis Rams in the 2006 NFL Draft . On July 31 , 2006 , Hill signed five - year $ 10 . 2 million contract with the Rams . In his rookie season he started in ten out of 16 games and finished the year with 50 tackles and three interceptions . Hill started his NFL career with a bang by recording two tackles and an interception , in the season opener against the Broncos . He capped the season by being named Rams Rookie of the Year and was voted to the 2006 All - Rookie honors from PFWA . For the 2007 season , he played in eight games and finished the season with 35 tackles and one interception . However , that interception was instrumental in the Rams 13 - 7 victory over the Divisional rival 49ers , in San Francisco on November 18 , 2007 . He finished the season on injured reserve . In 2008 , in four starts , Hill totaled 20 tackles , 2 pass deflections , and a forced fumble . Hill tore cartilage in his knee which forced him to sit out the rest of the season after playing only four games . It was the second straight season he ended on injured resereve . Atlanta Falcons . Hill was traded to the Atlanta Falcons on September 1 , 2009 , for a 7th round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft . Hill scored the first touchdown of his career on November 8 , 2009 , when he intercepted a pass from Jason Campbell and returned it for a 62 - yard touchdown . Hill was released on March 16 , 2010 . Tennessee Titans . Hill was signed to a one - year contract by the Tennessee Titans on March 30 , 2010 . He was waived by the team on September 4 , 2010 . Detroit Lions . Hill was signed by the Detroit Lions on December 2 , 2010 . On March 4 , 2012 the Detroit Lions elected not to tender Hill making him an unrestricted free agent .