Published Feb 3, 2021
Florida State lands Rivals250 WR Destyn Hill
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Sam Spiegelman  •  Rivals.com
National Recruiting Analyst
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@samspiegs

Destyn Hill fell in love with Florida State at the beginning of the year and by National Signing Day, made it official.

Hill, a Rivals250 wide receiver from new New Orleans powerhouse Edna Karr, signed with Florida State on Wednesday. The Seminoles edged out Alabama for Hill's signature. LSU, Florida, USC and Oklahoma were also one-time contenders for Hill.

Hill took home positional MVP honors at the Rivals Camp Series stop in New Orleans this past March, which followed his second visit out to Tallahassee, Fla. Mike Norvell recruited both Hill and several of his teammates as the head coach of Memphis before arriving at Florida State. David Johnson, the Seminoles’ running backs coach, is a native of New Orleans and extended Hill his first offer as an assistant for Tennessee a few years back.

"I really feel comfortable with them sitting at the top spot," Pazon told Rivals as he narrowed his list of contenders down earlier this year.

"Coach Norvell calls the plays and when I went to the practice, he was on the receivers like he's the position coach. I was really feeling that. He's the play-caller and he interacts with the receivers at practice, so that'll be better for me in the long run."

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IN HIS OWN WORDS

"I was able to go on visits early on and took some unofficial visits, but it took me so long (to make a decision) because I was waiting for official visits. Unfortunately, we couldn't get it, so I trusted my guy from those visits and made my decision."

"I have a really great relationship with Coach Dave (Johnson) from New Orleans. That's family and we have great bond. I also have a great relationship with Coach (Mike) Norvell. I trust that he needs to make the program better."

"I know at Florida State, it's a possibility I can be one of the main players as a freshman. It's about building a legacy to me. I'm up for the challenge to change a whole program. Coach Norvell tells me I'm the missing piece. He wants to get the ship rolling with me and for me to be the face of this 2021 recruiting class. I liked the idea of that."

RIVALS REACTION

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Pazon is a 6-foot-1, 180-pound wide receiver from New Orleans powerhouse Edna Karr, which has captured five consecutive Class 4A state championships in Louisiana. Pazon has been a key component on offense for the Cougars in the past two title runs.

As a junior, Pazon amassed 54 receptions for 1,047 yards with 14 touchdowns. He was an All-District selection as wide receiver.

Pazon recorded a 4.4-second 40 time at the January at the All-American Combine in San Antonio. He's a true vertical threat capable of stretching the field and picking up chunk yardage and creating huge momentum-shifting plays in the process. He's also improved with his ability to high-point the football and make contested catches over defenders as he's garnered more and more attention from opposing defensive coordinators throughout his prep career.

Pazon primarily lines up as an outside receiver but could very easily slide inside to the slot. He's a fantastic route-runner, an area of his game that has truly developed over the past year-plus. Pazon can beat defenders downfield, but is equally as explosive in and out of his breaks to consistently separate in coverage and both physical and elusive after the catch.

Pazon is a physical runner after and could be a dangerous return specialist at the next level. He has excellent hands, another component of his game that has been sharpened in the past year, and he has equally as impressive body control to battle for and brings down contested balls in mid-air. He's continued to add to his frame and makes the most of every touch. He's a threat to fight for more yardage and extend plays and is a massive playmaker in space.

It's worth pointing out that Pazon thrives at finding cushions in opposing defenses and needs to be accounted for in red-zone situations. He has a way of securing the football in traffic and attacking backs at the highest point with ease.