ALBANY — From prep phenom to NFL reclamation project: Will Hill’s fall wasn’t quick or easy and his climb back may be far longer and much tougher. Now the East Orange, N.J., native is in camp with the Giants, trying to make up for lost time and make a name for himself — or at least clean up the name he already has.
An All-American at St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City and a standout and teammate of Tim Tebow’s at Florida, Hill had the talent to be a mid-round pick in 2011. But after a 2010 suspension for violating Gators rules, after tweets about marijuana use and sex with hookers, and after poor interviews with NFL teams, he went undrafted. As far as who derailed what should have been a fast-tracked career, Hill knows exactly who’s responsible:
“Me,” he said yesterday.
“Just thinking too highly of myself, thinking I’m at the top and nothing can happen to me, and I can do whatever I want. And I paid for it,’’ added the 6-foot-1, 207 pound Hill. “I went to Florida and played with Tebow and [Brandon] Spikes, was at the top and thought too much of myself. That knock-down was really what I needed.’’
After a lost season, unable to support his four young sons and show his skills, the Giants invited him to minicamp, and eventually gave him a minimum contract with no guaranteed money. Hill has come on strong in training camp, earning time with the top defense both as a safety and nickelback.
“I play with more oomph, because I had dark times. I know what’s on the other side and I don’t want to go back,’’ said Hill. “Everybody’s out here fighting for a job. … It’s either kill or be killed, so I’m gonna be the killer.’’
ESPN, rivals.com and scout.com all ranked him as the nation’s top prep safety, with scout.com tabbing him the No. 2 player overall. But after playing extensively as a single-high safety at Florida and leaving a year early, he went undrafted.
Hill has twin 2-year-old sons, a 1-year-old and a 9-month-old, two of the kids with wife Leisa and two with other women. He was arrested in last June for driving with a suspended license, and last September, Leisa told Jacksonville, Fla., police Hill had hit her, but no charges were filed and the investigation was halted.
It’s a testament to Hill’s talent that Giants general manager Jerry Reese still threw him a lifeline. So far, Hill has not only been drama-free, but also performing well.
“You see a real quick, well-conditioned athlete. He’s definitely had a couple of days where he’s stood out and he stands out on [special] teams too,’’ said coach Tom Coughlin.
Safeties coach Dave Merritt added Hill has the tools as long as he can master the team’s schemes.
“We all see his athletic ability,’’ said Merritt. “This kid has speed, quickness, burst and acceleration. This young man has all the tools that you want as a defensive back. The thing that Will is going to have to learn is the playbook — the details of the details.’’