Daniel Hill is a 6’1″ 220 pound, multi-position athlete at Meridian High School – located in Meridian, Mississippi. Hill is an offensive super-star for his high school, starting since his freshman year for the Wildcats. Over the past three seasons at Meridian High School, Daniel has become one of the highest ranked players in the state of Mississippi.
This very impressive athlete can be seen lining up at wide receiver, where he consistently makes contested catches on multiple defenders with ease. When Hill lines up in the backfield at running back, he is able to fend off multiple tacklers before getting brought down. He has a wide range of skills that allow him to be utilized like a “Swiss army knife,” do-it-all player. I had the opportunity to speak with the 4-star athlete, Daniel Hill, about his career thus far, as well as plans for the future:
Q:Tell me about yourself, where did you grow up?
“I was born in Flowood, Mississippi – lived there until I was about five years old. Then, My family moved to Meridian, Mississippi. I love Meridian, I have been here basically my whole life. My dad went to high school at Meridian High School, and grew up here as well.”
Q: When did you start playing football?
I began playing football in the fourth grade. I knew from a young age that I wanted to play football. My dad wanted my to play so fourth grade is when I really started. I always knew football was my thing; I would wake up in the mornings and turn on the channel that relayed old football games, it has been a sport I’ve grown up loving.
Q: Do you compete in any other sports than football?
I do power-lifting, as well as run 110 meter hurdles and 300 meter hurdles in track.
Q: As a multi-position athlete, you have experienced different standpoints on the football field. What is your favorite position to play and why?
When I first started varsity football, I was playing a lot as a wide receiver because I was not as big as I am now. After, I really grew into playing running back, but anywhere on the field that I can get the football is fine with me. Right now, I would say I want to go into college as a receiver.
As a receiver, I enjoy catching the ball in open space, getting up field, and make plays. Especially for someone my size, most defensive backs could not want to press me. That is a plus of being my size, being able to catch the ball at that position.
Q: What is something you want other people to know about playing football?
Football is not as easy as people may make it seem. You can’t just go out there because you are fast and can make a few people miss and think that is the only thing football comes with. You have to work at what you want to prefect, whatever position you play in order to get to the next level.
Q: What strengths do you believe you have that will make you an impact athlete at the next level?
I can play any position on offense. Quarterback, running back, wide receiver – I can do it all. that is why I am listed as an athlete and going into this season I really want to show that I can produce at any position on the offensive side of the ball. If a coach wants to line me up at running back I can catch the ball out of the backfield. I can line up in slot, I believe I am a mismatch against any linebacker.
Q: Going off of that, what are you looking forward to this upcoming season, and do you have any specific goals for yourself?
I would like to break the school record for touchdowns. I think throughout my high school career so far I have upwards of 70, so I would like to break the record. This year I will be playing quarterback so that will be something new for me. I am looking forward to see how I produce, playing a position I haven’t played in high school yet.
Q: What is one of the biggest challenged you have faced playing football and how did you overcome that?
The biggest challenge I have faced so far would be breaking both of my legs. Ninth grade year I broke my leg, then the next year after that I broke my leg in the same spot on the opposite leg. That is something that I had to overcome and it made me really appreciate and realize how much I love the game of football. For an athlete, breaking your leg is not easy to come back from. Breaking it, and also coming back to produce at a high level is special.
Q: Do you have a favorite player at the collegiate or pro level that you look your game after?
My favorite NFL player is Michael Thomas; that is where I got the number 3 from, when he was at Ohio State. He has been one of my favorite players for awhile. He is a player who I have mirrored my game after, at the wide receiver position. We play the position the same kind of way. That is one player who I can say I look up to.
Q: As a 4-star athlete, you can almost pick and choose where you want to go to college based on what fits you the best, so what are some dream colleges or universities you plan on visiting or attending?
You know, Alabama has always been my favorite college just to watch play. As I have been getting recruited, things change. Alabama is still in the mix, but there are plenty of other schools I am looking at like South Carolina, Tennessee, Auburn, Penn State, etc. I have to see what schools have to offer me, see what the scheme is, and whether or not I am a fit before I make my decision.
Do you have someone who has helped you out along the way, pushing you at every step?
My dad of course, he is a coach and played football at the highest level. He played college football at Mississippi State and had the opportunity to play in the NFL. He has always been the one to push me the hardest and make sure that I can reach my full potential.
Daniel Hill is a fascinating athlete out of Meridian High School. He is a star in the making and will be exciting to follow for years to come. He has a unique skillset that only can compare to a few. Hill is in the class of 2024.
“To everyone who supports me, I really appreciate it. It has always been a dream of mine to be one of the top prospects in the country – being able to put out for your state, where you grew up is special. To all my supporters and fans thank you all”
Daniel Hill
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