Month from decision, tailback recruit Daniel Hill discusses thought process, timeline

Phil Kornblut
·2 min read
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Running back Daniel Hill of Meridian, Mississippi is being hotly pursued by South Carolina and Alabama, with Tennessee also in the mix. He has set Aug. 23 for his commitment announcement.

Hill has locked in a visit to Alabama for Saturday. USC also wants him to visit before the next recruiting dead period that starts Sunday.

On Monday night, he said a visit for Friday’s cookout in Columbia is under consideration.

“Got to see how everything is the day before. We might go down then, but we haven’t decided on anything yet,” Hill said. “Really, I just want to have fun, honestly. There’s really not much left for me to see or know about the programs. I really just want to get down there and have fun.”

Hill said he last communicated with the Gamecocks on Sunday, and he heard from a lot of their coaches.

“Really the whole coaching staff: offensive coordinator, running back coach, Coach (Shane) Beamer,” Hill said. “It was just over messages, talking and seeing how everything is going, stuff like that.”

At this point, Hill said he’s not made his decision.

“I’m just counting down the days to the 23rd, make that final decision,” Hill said. “It’s not a far-off decision, but I wouldn’t say I know where I want to go. It’s kind of tied right now between Alabama and South Carolina.”

And what will lead him to choose either the Gamecocks or the Crimson Tide?

“Really just a feel for the school, honestly,” Hill said. “When it comes down to the day of the announcement, by that time I will have talked to my family and everything like that.”

Hill recently told a reporter his father, who played at Mississippi State, wants him at Alabama. While he respects his father and listens to his advice, those wishes might not match his own.

“Not necessarily. I’d say yes and no,” Hill said. “It will be me (making the decision).”

USC has one running back commitment for the 2024 class in Matthew Fuller. Alabama does not yet have a running back commitment among their 15 pledges.