Justin Hill
Wide Receiver / Mount Union
Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?
Justin Hill: My height is 5’11 ½, weighed in at 191 pounds and I ran a 4.56 at the pro day last week. It was at Miami of Ohio.
Alex Khvatov: Where are you currently training for the NFL Draft?
Justin Hill: I am in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I am training at Per4orm with Nick Hicks and Zac Cardone. They have J.K. Dobbins and some guys from Florida like Josh Hammond and Stanford Samuels.
Alex Khvatov: Tell me about this most recent pro day. Were you happy with the results?
Justin Hill: I was happy with the results. I worked my tail off in Florida for seven or eight weeks. I put up good numbers. There will be critics who will say that I played at a Division III school. My three-cone was a 6.9, shuttle was 4.01, vertical was 33.5 inches and I did 15 reps on the 225. I had a 9’11 broad jump. I had a 10’2 broad, but they scratched it. I can get better and faster. All of my routes were perfect, and I didn’t drop the ball. I talked to the Cowboys, Lions, 49ers and Jets. I won the scouts over with my routes.
Alex Khvatov: When is your next Pro Day?
Justin Hill: My next pro day will be at Toledo on March 23rd.
Alex Khvatov: What are your main goals for that Pro Day?
Justin Hill: Improve on my vertical and my 40-yard dash. I want to run in the low 4.5’s. If I will get a faster time, I will be able to separate myself.
Alex Khvatov: Besides football, did you play any other sports in high school?
Justin Hill: I played basketball and baseball. Honestly, my mom said that I should have stuck with baseball. Football has worked out well.
Alex Khvatov: Were you invited to any all-star games at the end of the season?
Justin Hill: I was in consideration for the Combine. I wanted to hold off on any all-star games. I waited, but I didn’t get an invite to Indy. I was invited to CGS in Texas. My agent was surprised that I didn’t get an invite to NFLPA Bowl or the Senior Bowl. After my junior year, they told me if I put up 1,000 yards, 50 catches and 15 TD’s during my senior year, I will get an invite to the Combine and the bigger all-star games. I put up bigger numbers than that.
Alex Khvatov: Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?
Justin Hill: Coming out of high school, I was overlooked. Purdue was going to give me a chance, but I didn’t have the grades. I was told to go to Jireh Prep High School in North Carolina. I still didn’t get any D-I offers. Teams were losing more interest in me. My buddy from Circleville, Ohio went to Mount Union. They were a winning D-III program. I wanted to get a national championship. I made this move. This is what God wanted me to do. I was a four-year starter at Mount Union.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you choose Mount Union?
Justin Hill: Mount Union was the only school to offer me. I wanted to win games. They have a great history of winning.
Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths?
Justin Hill: I bring something different. I catch the ball differently. I am able to highpoint the ball and use my body well to shield the defender. My aggression and love for the game.
Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?
Justin Hill: Getting out of my breaks faster.
Alex Khvatov: How would you sum up your overall career?
Justin Hill: As a team, we won a National Championship my sophomore year. It was the best feeling of my life. To experience it with my brothers. We stuck together and kept grinding through the bad days. We bought into the program. It was incredible to hold that trophy and win the ring. I was all about the team. The most important thing was to figure out how to win.
Alex Khvatov: What is the highlight of your career up to this point?
Justin Hill: During my sophomore year, I caught a TD over two defenders. It wasn’t my best catch, but it was during crunch time. We needed a score. It was the second quarter. It was a National Championship game.
Alex Khvatov: You were named First Team All-American your senior year (80 catches for 1,641 receiving yards and 23 TD’s). How proud are you of that accomplishment?
Justin Hill: I am grateful for that. It was a surreal moment. You dream about doing stuff like that. You reach for the stars and accomplish it. I want to thank my teammates and my coaches in believing in me. It is just a blessing.
Alex Khvatov: What is it like following in the footsteps of other great receivers from Mount Union (Pierre Garcon and Cecil Shorts)?
Justin Hill: Obviously, we have had great football players that did a lot of things for Mount Union. Jasper Collins and Cecil Shorts have reached out to me. They saw me my freshman year. They encouraged me and followed me. They have helped me a long the way.
Alex Khvatov: What was the biggest thing that you took away from your coaching staff?
Justin Hill: Some days you are going to be tired, and you have to practice. I have to give it 100%. You always have to grind out a good day. My receiver’s coach also told us that you have to make that $100 each day. You have to give it your all. You have to get better and make the team better.
Alex Khvatov: What is the most important trait for a WR?
Justin Hill: Handling adversity. It’s late in the quarter, and you are down a TD. You have Jalen Ramsey guarding you. He is the best DB. How you deal with adversity after you drop the ball on a key third down. You have to be able to bounce back and overcome that adversity.
Alex Khvatov: What is your favorite NFL team?
Justin Hill: I am from Ohio. I like the Browns.
Alex Khvatov: Who is your favorite NFL player?
Justin Hill: A couple from the receiver standpoint, Julio Jones, DeAndre Hopkins, Davante Adams, Mike Thomas and OBJ. I also like Cam Newton. He is an inspiration. Just the way he carries himself as a player.
Alex Khvatov: Before the ball is snapped, what are the tendencies that you are looking for from the defense?
Justin Hill: I am looking at the safety, corner and OLB. I want to see if they are in cover 4 or cover 2. If the DB’s are switching or bailing. Based on the coverage, I have to figure out how far I am running a particular route.
Alex Khvatov: What players on your team should we keep an eye on for next season?
Justin Hill: RB Josh Petruccelli is my roommate. He is a tough RB. He has the talent to play at the next level. WR Jordan Lee will be a sophomore this year. WR Derrick Harvey and WR Wayne Ruby. These guys will definitely be able to step up. On the defensive side, we have safety Malik Britt. He is a big body who likes to hit. CB Jalen Griffin.
Alex Khvatov: Who was the best player that you have faced on an opposing team?
Justin Hill: LB Mason McKenrick from John Carroll. He was a freak. He graduated a year before me and got picked up by the Ravens. He is no longer there.
Alex Khvatov: What do you enjoy most about football?
Justin Hill: I love the game. I love putting on the pads, tying up my cleats and competing. I am having fun with my friends on the field. A lot of people don’t have the ability to play this game. I am truly blessed that I have a chance to go to the next level.
Alex Khvatov: What makes you unique?
Justin Hill: I am very funny. I bring a lot to the table. I smile a lot. Even when I am mad, I always have a smile on my face.
Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?
Justin Hill: I like to play Fortnite. Fishing and hanging out with friends. I also love fashion and dressing up.
Alex Khvatov: What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?
Justin Hill: I graduated with a sports business degree. I want to open up my own shoe store or fashion store. Or become an ESPN commentator like Tim Tebow.
Alex Khvatov: What five words best describe you?
Justin Hill: Hard working, dedicated, passionate, detail-oriented and work ethic.
