Ohio State redshirt sophomore receiver K.J. Hill (14) runs the ball in the first quarter in the game against Penn State on Oct. 28. Ohio State won 39-38. Credit: Jack Westerheide | Photo Editor
To this point in No. 6 Ohio State’s tumultuous season, many storylines stand out — the re-emergence of quarterback J.T. Barrett, the dominance of the defensive line, freshman running back J.K. Dobbins making his presence felt early and futility of the kickoff coverage.
Lost in all the other storylines is Ohio State’s jack-of-all-trades, H-back K.J. Hill.
With 40 receptions this season, the redshirt sophomore has been one of Barrett’s favorite targets this season ,and Hill trails only fellow H-back Parris Campbell in receiving yards (399 to 376).
Hill had the best game of his career Saturday against No. 7 Penn State, registering career highs in receptions (12), receiving yards (102), average punt return distance (7.7 yards), kick returns (five) and kick return yards (120).
Head coach Urban Meyer praised the H-back for his strong showing in the team’s most critical game of the season.
“[Hill] was tremendous [against Penn State]. He’s one of our better players. He’s really developed, really matured. He’s a guy that has ball skills that are 10 out of 10,” Meyer said Wednesday. “He’s very spacial aware. He understands football. So just a very good player.”
It has taken Hill some time to get to this point. He entered Ohio State as a four-star recruit and the top prospect in Arkansas, but he redshirted his first year in the program. Last season, Hill was used sparingly, never making more than five catches in a game and catching just one touchdown.
Hill came into this season with loftier expectations. He took on the role of the punt returner and, just four games into the season, matched his 2016 total in receptions.
The third-year H-back said his biggest improvement has been his ability to make defenders miss and do more with the ball after making the catch.
“The [improved ability from last season] came from confidence,” Hill said Wednesday. “And then doing it in practice on people, and I knew that would translate to the game.”
Hill has never had an issue making catches, but his ability to be a more explosive player with the ball in his hands has put him in a position to receive as many touches as possible. Barrett said he’s always felt comfortable passing to Hill, but Hill’s improved ability from last season has made him a much more exciting player to target.
“He’s one of those guys that understands zone and man and spacing on the field and things like that, so he makes it easy for me as a quarterback,” Barrett said Wednesday. “And then, I don’t know, since he’s been here, he’s just kind of developed. Better understanding of those things and what we’re trying to do on certain players. Even if he’s not getting the ball, if he has to create space, he understands that.”
The Buckeyes might have to rely on Hill even more heading into their matchup against Iowa. With Campbell questionable for the game, Hill will likely be called upon to serve as kick returner after filling in Saturday for the injured Campbell.
Hill seemed confident in his ability to take over the kick return role when needed. After all, he said there’s just one thing he needs to do in that role, and it’s a skill in which he takes great pride.
“Run,” Hill said. “You’ve got to run. Because you know people come at you full speed, so you just gotta run by them, try to run by them full speed. Then when you see the seam, you’ve got to make that cut.”
The potential to be used as the kick returner, continued reliance as the punt returner and serving as Barrett’s favorite target has put Hill right in the middle of seemingly everything Ohio State does, besides defense. It is a role Hill did not find himself in last season, but one he is not going to shy away from in what has turned into a storybook season for the young receiver.
“It means a lot,” Hill said. “I’m just going to do what I can do and do it at my best so I give the best at the time I need.”
