Will “The Thrill” Hill came to the University of Florida engulfed in hype. He was already expected to compete for a starting position but when safeties Dorian Munroe and John Curtis went down for the season with injuries, it put much more pressure on Hill to produce from day one. In just two days of practice, he’s already made several big plays and he’s taking on the look of a starter at strong safety. Gator Country caught up with Hill for a few questions Tuesday afternoon.
CODY JONES: “Do you feel comfortable out there?”
WILL HILL: “The team has welcomed me in. The coaches are strict, but everything is for the best. They’re pushing me and pushing me, so ultimately I’ll be better.”
CJ: “Are you planning on being a starter?”
WH: “That’s what I’m fighting for right now.”
CJ: “When you signed with Florida you thought you’d play early, but is the opportunity here at the position?”
WH: “With those two guys going down, I knew I was going to play early, but the opportunity came quick.”
CJ: “What do you have to do to start?”
WH: “I have to get the defense down and come out and play.”
CJ: “How well are you picking it up?
WH: “I’m picking it up, the tempo and speed, with all these fast guys out here, you’ve got to move quick.”
CJ: “What do you think when people say the strong safety position is one of the weakest ones out here?”
WH: “I [disagree], but it goes either or. I’m still learning the position, but I’ve got a guy in front of me that knows what he’s doing.”
CJ: “Aren’t the two safety positions in this defense similar?”
WH: “They’re similar. We’ve got to learn both safety positions because we’re going to play both.”
CJ: “Do you like the fact that there’s some pressure on you to come in and play right away?”
WH: “I love the pressure. Without pressure, I’m just going to go out there and go through the motions. It’s pressuring me to be a better player.”
CJ: “When you signed, you thought about playing some offense too. With these injuries are you thinking about that?”
WH: “I’m just focusing on defense.”