Hill making an immediate impact
When Saginaw (Texas) Boswell 2015 defensive tackle Dominic Hill was a little kid, he was introduced to football by his mother.
Hill was from a baseball family. His grandfather played some triple-A baseball and his family roots go back to Puerto Rico, but as a youngster he quickly found a home on the football field.
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"My mom threw me in it when I was a little kid," Hill said. "Me being lazy all the time she said I needed to get out more. When I played I loved it. They started me out at center and moved me to guard and tackle and defensive end. The first time I played nose guard was freshman year of high school."
It did not take him long to make his presence known in the middle of the Boswell defense, earning district newcomer of the year honors as a freshman. While he made it look easy, he remembers his freshman season being a little different.
"It was definitely difficult at times - having to learn and being the youngest one on the team - but I took a hold of it and got better at things as the season went on," Hill said.
The 6-0, 260-pound defensive tackle followed up his 2011 season, by earning first-team all-district honors as a sophomore in 2012. Life in the middle of the defense is not for everyone but it is for Hill, who admits one thing in particular really gets his blood pumping.
"Seeing that two or three guys are trying to take me on and they can't do it individually," Hill said.
He models his play after the likes of B.J. Raji of the Green Bay Packers and Vince Wilfork of the New England Patriots, and prides himself on his work ethic.
"It's just a want of mine. I've always loved playing football," Hill said. "I have great inspiration and it's something I love to do."
The likes of UCLA, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Florida State, and Baylor have already shown interest. He attended camps at Texas A&M and Oklahoma last year and plans camp at Oklahoma and Baylor this summer. A trip to Alabama could also be in the works.
Growing up, Hill did not pay much attention to the college game, but admits he did watch Oklahoma some. In fact he has only attended one college football game in his life when his family went to a TCU game a few years ago.
It is still extremely early in the recruiting process for Hill, and he is currently keeping his options open.
"I just have to stay humble and keep an open mind," Hill said. "I'm definitely putting academics before sports right now. You just have to stay humble."
In addition to football, Hill also plays third base on the baseball field, throws both shot and discus, and is a member of the wrestling team at Boswell.