Georgia safety Jamal Hill caught the eye of several schools, including Arkansas, at the Mercer Super Camp in Macon, Georgia, on Thursday and that led to scholarship offers from Arkansas, Boston College and Michigan.
“I showed everybody my cover skills because they couldn't really see it on film because I really didn't play too much man-to-man,” Hill said. “I just showed I could cover today. I showed them my speed. I ran low 4.4 twice in the 40.”
Hill, 6-0, 188 pounds of Morrow, Georgia, had about 24 other offers from schools like Pittsburgh, Memphis, Western Kentucky and Toledo prior to Thursday’s camp. His school isn't known for producing D1 athletes.
“My school hasn’t been known for being good in sports,” said Hill, who plans to take his official visits in the fall. “We went 5-5 last year and that was the best record we’ve had like in 20 years.”
Defensive coordinator John Chavis and defensive line coach John Scott Jr., along with Coach Chad Morris, attended the Mercer camp.
“They liked my body type. I’m similar to something they've got,” Hill said.
Chavis’ resume of 70 NFL Draft picks, including 15 first rounders, caught the attention of Hill.
“He’s put a lot of DBs in the league,” he said.
Hill said Scott spoke highly of the Razorbacks program and the ability of student-athletes to get their degree in three years.
“I plan on getting up there soon,” Hill said. “I might be able to get there next Sunday because I’m suppose to go to a camp in Memphis. Hopefully I can get there and see the campus myself.”
He measured and weighed his listed height and weight at the camp, but as with every camp, the numbers can vary.
“I think at Western Kentucky I was 6-1 and 193 pounds,” Hill said.
Hill, who has a 3.0 grade point average, is considering business administration or athletic science as majors. He said his mother is all about education.
“She doesn't really mind where I go to school as long as I get my degree because that’s what I’m going there for,” Hill said. “I want to minor in African American History just to have it under my belt.”
Perhaps most impressive is his leadership skills. He’s been team captain the past two seasons and is expected to be one as a senior and become a rare three-year team captain on the high school level.
“I’ve been a team captain since the 10th grade,” Hill said. “I like to have fun, but lead my guys pretty well.”