Devin Hester attended Suncoast High School in Riviera Beach, Florida where he played football and was a member of the track and field team. As a junior, Hester ranked second in the nation in the long jump. On the football team he did just about everything, playing running back, receiver, cornerback, and serving as the team’s return specialist. As a senior, Hester rushed for 1,014 yards and 12 touchdowns on 94 attempts He also caught 38 passes for 1,028 yards and 9 touchdowns. Additionally, Hester passed for 225 yards and 5 touchdowns. On defense he recorded 156 tackles, 3 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles on the year. He was named MVP of the annual California-Florida all-star game after recording 3 tackles, 1 interception, and returning a kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown. Devin Hester was considered by many to be the #1 prospect in the state of Florida and one of the top 10 prospects in the nation regardless of position. He was highly recruited by schools such as: Florida State, Purdue, N.C. State, and Georgia, but opted to sign with the Miami Hurricanes instead. Hester made an immediate impact his freshman season as a return specialist for the Hurricanes. He finished the season sixth in the nation with 28.7 yards per kickoff return on 18 attempts, taking one back 97 yards for a touchdown. He continued his excellent special teams play as a sophomore, averaging 25.9 yards per kickoff return and 17.2 yards per punt return with four touchdowns (1 kickoff, 3 punt). He saw his first action on defense that year with 17 tackles, 4 interceptions and 2 pass break-ups. Hester also rushed 5 times for 40 yards and a touchdown. He was named first team all-ACC as a return specialist after the season As a senior, Hester averaged 16.1 yards per kickoff return and 14.2 yards per punt return with one touchdown on the season. On defense he had 11 tackles, 1 sack and 1 interception. On offense he rushed 15 times for 98 yards and caught 5 passes for 55 yards. Devin Hester still has one year of eligibility left but he has opted to leave school early to enter the 2006 NFL draft.

Devin Hester has as much athletic ability as any player in the draft this year. He has outstanding speed and good change of direction ability. He is arguably the best return specialist available in the draft this year. He displays good ball skills, fluid hips, and sure hands. He has also developed into a solid tackler. Once he has the ball in his hands, Hester is a very elusive open field runner and a threat to score from anywhere on the field. Despite his outstanding athletic ability, Devin Hester is a man without a true position on offense or defense. He is extremely raw as a cornerback and never became a consistent starter at the position. He saw some limited action at receiver and running back and could switch to the offensive side of the ball in the NFL. He is a very versatile player but will be a project at whatever position he is asked to play at the next level. Devin Hester would’ve benefited from another year of college and his lack of experience will hurt him on draft day; however, his outstanding return ability and tremendous upside will warrant a second day selection in the 2006 NFL draft.