I'll start by saying you all know I'm a huge fan of Hill and think he'd be a very good fit in Bama's offense. And, since late 2022, I've felt pretty strongly about him signing with the good guys in the ESD. And how could I not? Hill has visited Bama so many times I've lost count. Plus, despite his father playing football at Mississippi St, the family has been vocal about wanting Hill at Bama because of Coach Saban and the way he develops his players and manages his running backs by not using up too much of their tread before heading off to the NFL. Therein lies the problem. Hill wants to be 'the man' as a true freshman and doesn't seem to want to wait his turn nor share the load with other backs. If Hill were to sign with the Tide then he would definitely not be 'the man' since the Bama RB room already has a couple of very talented, proven options in Miller and Haynes. Plus, one of either McClellan or Williams could possibly return for another season as well. Because of this, Hill had been focused on South Carolina for much of his recruitment since the Gamecocks had an immediate opening at RB for next season. Then, the Cocks took a commit from Arkansas transfer RB Raheim "Rocket" Sanders and this seemed to push Hill to look at other options. Enter new head coach Jeff Lebby at Mississippi State. Hill had zero interest in playing for previous head coach Zach Arnett but Lebby brings a whole new offensive philosophy to State. Couple this with the announcement Bulldog starting RB Jo'quavious Marks with now transfer out and Hill decided to make one last visit to Starkville (his first visit in over a year) just before the ESD. Lebby can offer immediate playing time and use Hill in both the running and passing games in his new offense.
Every year there seems to be at least one prospect who is heavily recruited by the staff and kind of knows Bama is probably the best place for them. However, they just cannot seem to make the right decision and ultimately choose another program. Off the top of my head I think of guys like DB Sage Ryan ('21 cycle), LB Shemar James ('22 cycle) and DE Kelby Collins ('23 cycle). And yes, I am aware Sage Ryan hasn't panned out but coming out of high school he was a major target of Saban and the staff. I think Hill might be playing the role of this prospect in the '24 cycle. I mentioned a few days back the staff has not been pushing as hard for Hill as they once were. No doubt they can see Hill has been dragging out his recruitment seemingly looking for something else other than Bama. He seems to have found this in Starkville under Lebby. Is there still a spot for Hill in Bama's '24 class? I believe so. Unfortunately, I don't know if Hill will take advantage of it.
Every year there seems to be at least one prospect who is heavily recruited by the staff and kind of knows Bama is probably the best place for them. However, they just cannot seem to make the right decision and ultimately choose another program. Off the top of my head I think of guys like DB Sage Ryan ('21 cycle), LB Shemar James ('22 cycle) and DE Kelby Collins ('23 cycle). And yes, I am aware Sage Ryan hasn't panned out but coming out of high school he was a major target of Saban and the staff. I think Hill might be playing the role of this prospect in the '24 cycle. I mentioned a few days back the staff has not been pushing as hard for Hill as they once were. No doubt they can see Hill has been dragging out his recruitment seemingly looking for something else other than Bama. He seems to have found this in Starkville under Lebby. Is there still a spot for Hill in Bama's '24 class? I believe so. Unfortunately, I don't know if Hill will take advantage of it.
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