Tyreek Hill's College Career: Which University Did the NFL Star Attend?
Tyreek Hill's College Career: Which University Did th...
By Fan Arch August 25, 2024 22:50
Tyreek Hill, the fastest man in the NFL and playmaker extraordinaire, took an unconventional route through college football. Whereas most NFL talents spend all four years at one school before wading into professional waters, Hill went through several twists and turns leading to football's highest level. This story focuses on Hill's college experience, detailing where he went to school and explaining the unique circumstances by which one of the NFL's fastest players became an undetectable trailblazer.
Tyreek Hill's college football backstory was about as unconventional. Hill also took an unconventional path to the NFL, spending time in three schools, Garden City Community College, Oklahoma State, and The University of West Alabama, over four years rather than playing at a single university.
Garden City Community College, 2013
Hill took a modest route to Garden City Community College in Kansas. In 2013, Hill compiled impressive all-around statistics as a sophomore. After taking a season off, his return saw immediate dividends against Texas A&M that later paid big with an 80-yard TD run. Another strong season at Garden City Community College led him to a bigger program and his jump up in competition.
Oklahoma State University, 2014
Hill spent one successful year at Garden City Community College before transferring to Oklahoma St. for the 2014 season. Hill was equally as versatile in college at Oklahoma State, making his presence felt in all facets of the game:
- Rushing: 102 attempts, 534 yards, one touchdown
- Kick returns: 30 attempts, 740 yards (two touchdowns)
- Punt Returns: 27 returns, 256 yards and one touchdown.
Hill had a huge impact at Oklahoma State. In 2014, he had a combined 1811 all-purpose yards, ranking him the eleventh best in the nation. His combination of speed and agility made him a threat from the secondary, where he soon became an impact player.
However, Hill was kicked out of Oklahoma State due to off-field problems. Three years later, he was arrested on charges of domestic violence in December 2014 and released from the club. It was a turning point for Hill, as well as for himself and his college career.
University of West Alabama, 2015
After being kicked off the team at Oklahoma State, Hill transferred to Division II University of West Alabama in 2015. Even at a lower level of competition, Hill earned more accolades in his time on the field:
- Rushing: 25 carries, 237 yards (9.5ypc)
- Stats: Receiving 27 receptions, 444 yards, and three touchdowns
Hill saw action at West Alabama and showcased his versatility on the field. A bruiser, he averaged just 16.4 yards per reception and a whopping 9.5 per rush in the state finals.
Although he had come highly recommended, Brett Gilliland was wary of adding Hill to the roster because of his past. But Gilliland had spoken with Hill and read the judge's ruling in his case before giving it a shot.
"His leash was pretty short," Gilliland said. He had a great network of people around him. He knew that coming in. But we never really had to discipline him for anything. He did not become as severe as he had been, and that was what he wanted: to succeed, never again his old self.
The West Alabama experience played a critical role in Hill's football life. That allowed him to keep playing and have a chance to improve his game while maturing outside the lines.
Preparing for the NFL
While unconventional, Hill's college career set him on the path to success in the NFL. Hill developed and played well at Garden City Community College, which shows he belonged in college. However, if he had done so again at Oklahoma State, it would have shown that we could play against the big boys in a power conference. Hill persevered and worked hard for a second chance at West Alabama, where he continued to dominate on the field and deal with his judgment errors.
Hill showed off his exceptional speed throughout college. He demonstrated to be dangerous as a receiver, runner, and return man, all tools that could appeal to NFL teams no differently than if not for his transgressions.
He turned heads at his pro day workout this month, too appreciative of how Smart's steady guidance has further underscored that he is an NFL-ready talent. The measurables are eye-popping as his 40-yard dash, Burst Score, Agility score, and Catch Radius all rank in the 94th percentile or greater. His blend of physical attributes and on-field productivity at various levels in college football made him a tempting prospect, even with the turbulent history.
The NFL Draft and Beyond
Hill was a first-round talent as a wide receiver and return specialist, but off-the-field concerns caused him to fall to Round 5 in this year's horse-picked non-sense cyclone. The Kansas City Chiefs picked him in the fifth round, 165th overall.
Hill has quickly emerged as one of the NFL's most dynamic playmakers since entering the league. He went on to play six seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs before being traded to the Miami Dolphins in 2022. Through the 2023 season, Hill has recorded over 10,000 receiving yards and caught at least one touchdown each season.
Hill's college career was something of an odyssey, with time spent at Garden City Community College, Oklahoma State, and West Alabama. Every stop was critical in building him as a player and toughening his skin. Throughout his college career, Hill never failed to display flashes of brilliance on the field, even though he did have his share of challenges and controversy.
But his time on the gridiron of college was far from trouble-free and did help set Hill up for what he would encounter in playing football as a professional. It serves as a reminder that there can be multiple stops for athletes before they reach their potential growth, and it is never too late to right your wrongs.
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