The Recruiting Guy

Hill's parents saw Hog pledge coming

8/29/14 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/STEPHEN B. THORNTON North Little Rock receiver K.J. Hill, left, calls the Hogs with his father Keith Hill, right, and other family members after announcing Friday his oral commitment to Arkansas during a news conference at the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in North Little Rock.

— When North Little Rock receiver K.J. Hill announced his commitment to Arkansas a few weeks ago, his parents weren’t surprised.

“I knew deep in his heart he wanted to be a Razorback from day one,” said his mother, Diedra Peterson.

Hill’s pledge was a big boost to the 2015 recruiting class and has given the Hogs momentum inside the state. It was an Aug. 16 visit to Fayetteville that helped seal the deal for the Razorbacks.

Diedra asked Hill where would he go if football wasn’t in consideration.

“When he said the Razorbacks, I knew that was where he needed to be,” she said.

Hill’s father, Keith Hill also was very confident his son would pick the Hogs.

“He’s a home body,” said Keith Hill “From the get go, I told the family Arkansas. I just know he’s just not going to leave. He doesn’t want to go far. He loves his mom and dad and everybody in the family.”

Hill, 6-1, 192, 4.42 seconds in the 40 yard dash, was named the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's Offensive Player of the Year after catching 63 passes for 1,143 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior. National recruiting analyst Tom Lemming of CBS Sports Network rates him a 4-star plus recruit.

“Since five years old, he has been playing football and we always tell him think touchdown when you get the ball,” Keith said.

During several trips to Fayetteville, Diedra was able to build a trust with Coach Bret Bielema and his staff.

‘I feel comfortable with everybody up there and I can run up the street if I need to,” she said laughing. “So I’m good about his decision. We’ve been Hog fans since we’ve lived in the state of Arkansas. We’ve been here all our lives. So I’m proud of him.”

She and her husband, Montez praised director of recruiting E.K. Franks’ enthusiasm and positive attitude after the August visit. Diedra said they’ve been taking Hill to Arkansas camps since the ninth grade.

“It’s just like home,” Diedra said. “We know where everything is and we know everybody. Even with the new staff everybody makes you feel so much at home.”

Should she feel the need, Diedra said she believes she can reach out to Bielema.

“I feel like I can just give him a call every time night or day and he made us feel that way,” she said.

Keith said there was never a shortage of people inquiring about his son’s recruitment.

“All I could say he’s doing fine, but where’s he’s going I don’t know’ Keith said. “It’s his choice, but we will support him wherever possible. Now that he’s chosen Arkansas, we’re still going to support him and we’ll be at all of the games.”