Hill could be top DT in California

Oakland (Calif.) McClymonds defensive lineman Derrick Hill could be the state's top defensive tackle prospect and made a strong case for that argument at the recent Nike camp in Palo Alto (Calif.) last weekend.

At 6-foot-1, 278 pounds, bulldozer strength and very quick feet, Hill looks the part of a classic three technique defensive tackle. Hill was dominant at the Nike camp in Stanford and should be considered a borderline top 100 player nationally.

He tested very well running a 5.49 in the 40, 4.50 in the shuttle and did 40 reps on the bench. In the position drills, Hill was just too strong and too quick off the ball for anyone to block. Hill has the same kind of frame, stocky and powerful, that is similar to former USC All-American DT Mike Patterson. There just isn't anything to grab on to for opposing lineman and when you're as quick as Hill, he's an absolute load to deal with.

On the recruiting front, Hill now has scholarship offers from Cal, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Washington State, San Diego State, Colorado, Utah, UNLV, San Diego State, Kansas and Kansas State. In addition, Arizona State and Mississippi just offered Hill following the Nike camp.

"My top schools are Cal, Arizona, Oregon, Arizona State and Washington," Hill said. "Cal is my leader right now. It's close to home and I have a lot of friends and family around here. ASU just offered me and I'm going to visit there and Arizona in the summer because I have an uncle who lives in Phoenix.

"I'm also going to camp at USC. Coach Carroll came to our school last Friday and my head coach (Alonzo Carter) was telling me that Carroll loved my film and I saw them watching me a lot at the Nike camp. They just want to see me work out with their staff and they could offer as well. My plan is to take my visits and I don't have any plans to commit early. After my visits are done, that's when I'll make my decision."