NORTH LITTLE ROCK — North Little Rock receiver K.J. Hill, an Arkansas commitment, received his jersey for the U.S. Army All-American game during a ceremony at the school gymnasium Monday morning.
"It felt good," said Hill of playing in the game. "Like in the tenth grade, I didn't expect this to happen. It's a big honor to play in the game with all the big names playing in it and having my name in the same category."
The game will be played in the Alamo Dome in San Antonio and be televised nationally on NBC on Jan. 3.
Hill, 6-1, 192, 4.42 seconds in the 40 yard dash, is rated the No. 14 receiver and No. 145 overall prospect in the nation by ESPN. He was the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's All-Arkansas Preps Offensive Player of the Year as a junior after recording 63 passes for 1,143 yards and 16 touchdowns.
He watched Arkansas' 17-0 victory over LSU on television.
"I could tell Arkansas played all four quarters this game, and you see what happened" Hill said. "Coach [Bret] Bielema is turning the program around."
Hill, who officially visited Florida earlier in the season, is planning to make official visits to Arkansas, Ohio State, Oklahoma State and Alabama in January. He said he's still committed to the Hogs.
"Yeah, for right now," he said.
He talked about what could change his pledge.
"If I just see something else different on a visit or something like that," Hill said.
Bielema, tight ends coach Barry Lunney Jr. and receivers coach Michael Smith stay in contact with him every week.
"They're just saying how I can come in and help early and be a playmaker for them," Hill said. "That's what they're really missing right now in the offense."
-- Richard Davenport
Sports on 11/18/2014