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Will Hill has been released.

(William Perlman/The Star-Ledger)

The Giants have released Will Hill following Friday's announcement that he would be suspended for the first six games of this season.

Hill failed his third drug test with the Giants in three years, his second for substances of abuse.

The 25-year-old former Star-Ledger offensive player of the year was one of the top recruits out of St. Peter's Prep before enduring a series of gaffes that saw him exit the University of Florida a year early only to go undrafted.

His NFL career was equally as mercurial. Hill was suspended for a total of 14 games in three seasons.

In 2013, he was ranked as the second-best safety in football by Pro Football Focus, but couldn't manage to keep his name clean. Hill was arrested in December for delinquent child support payments. Police detected an odor of marijuana in the car but no drug-related charges were brought.

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Over the last two years, seasons where Hill established himself as a viable option alongside Antrel Rolle, Hill 87 racked up solo tackles and a pair of interceptions. He registered five pass breakups, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

The loss leaves the Giants with Rolle, Stevie Brown, Nat Berhe, Quintin Demps and Cooper Taylor at safety.

Hill leaves behind a troubled legacy. Privately, his friends and acquaintances hoped he would leave drugs behind and accept the help the Giants had offered. The team supported him through a trip to rehab and an outpatient program last year. Hill said it was a success.

Instead, his old habits cost him a chance to play again for his hometown team, less than 15 miles away from where Hill was born in East Orange.