If the Jets’ newest wide receiver clicks as well with their current quarterback as he has with their former quarterback, the team might have something.
Second-round draft pick Stephen Hill spent three weeks before the Scouting Combine in February catching passes from Vinny Testaverde, the fifth all-time leading passer in Jets history.
The two connected at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., where Testaverde is a part-time instructor. Hill went there to prepare for the draft process. Testaverde left impressed.
“In NFL terms, this kid’s a stud,” Testaverde told The Post yesterday. “Physically, he reminds me of Terrell Owens, that type of body. He may be faster than Terrell Owens. We’ll see. I hate to compare him to anybody, but certainly his attitude and his work habits are outstanding.
“He can be a really good player. I feel like he’s going to be one of the standout receivers in years to come.”
The Jets traded up four spots on Friday night to grab Hill, the 6-foot-4, 215-pound speedster out of Georgia Tech. The comparisons already are daunting. Testaverde mentioned Owens. Jets vice president of college scouting Joey Clinkscales said he is like Lions star Calvin Johnson. Hill himself thinks he plays like Jerry Rice.
Those are big expectations.
Testaverde, who spent 21 years in the NFL, thinks Hill can thrive.
“I just felt like he was going to be a really good player in the NFL,” Testaverde said. “I was happy to see he got drafted [Friday] night by the Jets.”
Hill said it was a thrill for him to catch passes from Testaverde, the player Hill said he pretended to be while playing video games as a child.
“He gave me a lot of tips of how to get in and out of breaks,” Hill said. “Starting as a rookie, he just said be a rookie and be a pro. Stay in your place really.”
And can the 48-year-old Testaverde still throw the ball?
“He still throws it,” Hill said. “He still moves. I don’t think he’s as fast as he was back then, but he still moves real well.”
Hill wowed the Jets with 4.31 speed and maturity. He showed up for his pre-draft visit with the team in a suit and tie. Most draft prospects wear casual attire.
“This is actually your job,” Hill said. “You’re coming in here for an interview. This is a business and you have to treat it like a business. I came up here sharp.”
Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez called Hill on Friday after he was drafted. Hill said Sanchez was excited about getting to work. Hill said he plans on reaching out to the Jets’ other quarterback, Tim Tebow, soon.
The biggest question surrounding Hill is how he will adapt to an NFL offense. Georgia Tech runs a triple-option attack with limited passing chances. Hill had just 28 catches as a senior.
“It was a little frustrating,” Hill said. “As a receiver, you’re greedy and you want the ball. But the type of guy I am I just like to win. Any time I was put in the position to make a big block, I did it and we scored a touchdown.”
* The Jets had to wait a long time yesterday before making a pick. They had no picks in the fourth or fifth rounds.
In the sixth round, they selected Wake Forest safety Josh Bush with the 187th overall pick. They then took back-to-back players from Baylor with the 202nd and 203rd picks: running back Terrance Ganaway and guard Robert T. Griffin.
For their final two picks, compensatory seventh-rounders, they selected Antonio Allen, a safety from South Carolina (242nd) and Jordan White, a wide receiver from Western Michigan (244th).