Can Hilliard, Magee Continue LSU's Rich Tradition of RBs Selected in NFL Draft?

Five LSU running backs have been selected in the NFL draft since 2010. The Tigers' production of talented runners culminated during the 2014 draft when Jeremy Hill and Alfred Blue were both chosen. 

The program could repeat the feat during this year's draft. 

Kenny Hilliard and Terrence Magee are the latest tailbacks ready to join the professional ranks. They present different abilities, but both feature traits that could make them valuable additions to NFL organizations. 

Neither proved to be particularly impressive during the past season or at the NFL combine in Indianapolis. Yet LSU's backfield is always loaded, and each was given their chance to shine Friday at the team's pro day. 

The two combined for 1,012 yards during the 2014 campaign, but the duo eventually gave way to freshman sensation Leonard Fournette, who was previously considered the No. 1 overall recruit by ESPN Recruiting Nation. 

At 223 pounds, Hilliard is built more like a traditional workhorse back. Ironically, he never carried the ball more than 90 times in a season during his LSU career.

However, he cut weight during the draft process. Hilliard was listed at 232 pounds on LSU's official site. Usually, this is done to increase a player's speed, particularly for the 40-yard dash. 

It didn't exactly work in Hilliard's favor, though. 

The running back ran a disappointing 4.83-second 40-yard dash at the combine. Thus, it was imperative to improve upon his workout at the pro day to be considered a draftable prospect. 

Hilliard accomplished the goal with a 4.60-second effort in Baton Rouge, according to the Tigers' official Twitter feed: 

With such an extreme differential between the combine and pro days, Hilliard's real speed likely falls somewhere in between those two numbers. It's safe to assume he owns natural 4.7-second speed. If he plays over 230 pounds, it's not a bad number either. 

The 233-pound Hill, who was selected in the second round, ran a 4.66-second 40-yard dash at the 2014 NFL combine. The former LSU star went on to finish among the NFL's top 10 in rushing with 1,124 yards as a rookie. 

Hilliard isn't as physical as his former backfield mate, but he is a downhill runner who performed well in LSU's run-heavy, pro-style offense. 

It's clear, though, which of the two LSU running backs is a little more stiff in how he runs, courtesy of video provided by the New Orleans Saints' official site: 

Magee—the second back through the drill—cuts much better off the bag movement than Hilliard.

But Hilliard displayed a nose for the end zone with 28 total touchdowns during his career. He could be used as a short-yardage back or goal-line option in the NFL. 

As shown in the previous tweet, Magee also ran and cut well. The converted wide receiver, though, will have a different role in the NFL compared to his teammate. 

Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

Magee isn't as big as Hilliard at 5'8" and 210 pounds, but he presents completely different value for NFL teams. 

During his sophomore season, Magee transitioned from running back to wide receiver before going back to running back as a junior. It's that versatility, overall athleticism and ability to catch the ball that make the running back an attractive option. 

LSU head coach Les Miles perfectly summed up Magee's role for some team, via NFL.com's Chase Goodbread: 

As a senior, the running back only caught 17 passes, but he averaged over 10 yards per reception. 

In LSU's offense, considering the depth at the running back position, Magee's overall talent as a receiver was never fully realized. He did finish second on the team with 571 rushing yards.

As a junior, though, the running back averaged an impressive 7.3 yards per carry in limited action.

"He doesn't really do any one thing all that great, but he's solid at everything you ask him to do," an anonymous NFL scout told NFL.com's Lance Zierlein. "He's not special, but I would draft him down the line."

Neither of LSU's running backs this year are on par with Hill. There was a reason why he started during the 2014 campaign. There was also a reason why Fournette eventually became the lead back this past season. But both Hilliard and Magee present as much potential as Blue, who was selected in the sixth round by the Houston Texans. 

Each of of them will be considered late-round options for differing reasons. 

In today's NFL where running back rotations are more prevalent than ever, Hilliard and Magee hold value as situation-based performers, and that's good enough to keep LSU's recent running back pipeline to the NFL alive and well.  

Brent Sobleski covers the NFL draft for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @brentsobleski.