Michigan State University Athletics
Hill Joins Two Other Spartans in East-West Shrine Game
1/6/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Jan. 6, 2001
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Three Michigan State seniors - including cornerback Renaldo Hill, offensive guard Shaun Mason and defensive tackle Jace Sayler - have accepted invitations to play in the Jan. 13 East-West Shrine Game at Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco, Calif.
Hill, a third-team All-America selection by the Football News, anchored a Spartan secondary that led the Big Ten and ranked seventh nationally in pass defense, allowing only 164.1 yards per game. He finished fourth on the team in tackles with 71 (55 solos, 16 assists), including five for losses (10 yards). The 5-foot-11, 178-pound Detroit native also ranked second on the team in interceptions (three) and third in pass break-ups (11).
A three-year starter (1998-2000), Hill had nine career interceptions and 36 career pass break-ups. A partial qualifier coming out of high school, Hill could have petitioned the NCAA for an additional year of eligibility if he had completed his undergraduate degree in merchandising management prior to the opening of preseason camp in August. Instead of pursuing a fifth season at Michigan State, Hill has declared himself eligible for the National Football League Draft in April.
"With the academic course load I needed to carry to graduate, it would have been nearly impossible for me to get all of the work done," Hill said. "I certainly think I could have bettered my position for the NFL Draft with another season in college but it's in my best interest to enter the draft now. It was tempting to come back and pursue all of the individual honors, like the Jim Thorpe Award, and help the team compete for the Big Ten and national championships but I have to be realistic and the academic demands were too great.
"The Shrine Game will be an important one for me since I haven't played in almost two months. I want to come out and show the pro scouts what I can do against top competition. I faced all of the top receivers in the Big Ten and now it's time to show what I can do against the best players in the country.
"Ever since the first time I touched a football, it has been a goal of mine to play in the NFL," he said. "I will always be a part of the Michigan State football family. Coach (Bobby) Williams has a strong nucleus of players returning and I know the team will bounce back in 2001."
Renaldo's older brother, Ray, a third-year pro, played in eight games for the Buffalo Bills in 2000. "Ray has told me that I have all the skills and confidence to play in the NFL," he said. "He reminds me to work hard every day and to set some goals. I want to make the most of this opportunity. It's exciting to think that Ray and I could be playing in the league together."
Mason, a second-team All-Big Ten pick, was a model of consistency during the 2000 season, grading out over 90 percent in every game. The 6-5, 296-pound Toledo, Ohio, native anchored an offensive line that helped produce the Big Ten's fourth- and NCAA's 11th-leading rusher in T.J. Duckett, who averaged 123.0 yards per game. Mason led the team with a Spartan single-season record 146 pancakes, including eight double-figure games. He scored 95 percent vs. Michigan, including a school-record 25 pancakes. Mason earned Spartan Offensive Player of the Week honors vs. Notre Dame after grading out 97 percent with 16 knockdowns. He started 37 games during his collegiate career, including 23-straight games from 1999-2000.
Sayler, an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection, was a key figure on a defensive unit that led the Big Ten and ranked No. 22 nationally in total defense, allowing 318.3 yards per game. The 6-6, 302-pound McHenry, Ill., native led the team in tackles for losses with nine for 20 yards, including one sack (5 yards). He ranked second among defensive linemen in tackles with 53 (26 solos, 27 assists). Sayler recorded a career-high 11 tackles (5-6) vs. Notre Dame, including two for losses (3 yards). The four-year letterman had 28 career starts.
