Daxton Hill
| No. 23 – Cincinnati Bengals | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Safety | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | September 29, 2000 Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S. | ||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 192 lb (87 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Booker T. Washington (Tulsa, Oklahoma) | ||||||||
| College: | Michigan (2019–2021) | ||||||||
| NFL draft: | 2022 / round: 1 / pick: 31 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
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| Roster status: | Active | ||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
| Career NFL statistics as of Week 6, 2023 | |||||||||
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Daxton Jor-El Hill (born September 29, 2000) is an American football safety for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Michigan and was drafted by the Bengals in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
High school career
Hill attended Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. As a senior in 2019, he was the Gatorade Football Player of the Year for Oklahoma.[1] He played in the 2019 U.S. Army All-American Game. A five star recruit, he committed to play college football at the University of Michigan before switching to the University of Alabama and then back to Michigan.[2][3]
College career
As a true freshman at Michigan in 2019, Hill played in 13 games with three starts and had 36 tackles and one interception.[4] As a sophomore in 2020, he started six games, recording 46 tackles and one interception. He returned to Michigan as a starter in 2021 and received first-team all conference honors.[5][6] Hill declared for the 2022 NFL Draft following the 2021 season.[7]
Professional career
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 0+1⁄4 in (1.84 m) |
191 lb (87 kg) |
32+1⁄4 in (0.82 m) |
9+1⁄2 in (0.24 m) |
4.38 s | 1.51 s | 2.54 s | 4.06 s | 6.57 s | 37.0 in (0.94 m) |
10 ft 2 in (3.10 m) | ||
| Sources:[8][9] | ||||||||||||
Hill was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round (31st overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft.[10]
2022
Hill was eased into his rookie year by Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, backing up Jessie Bates III at free safety, and playing as a gunner on special teams snaps alongside Stanley Morgan.
In Week 15 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Hill would play his first game as a starter, switching positions to cornerback due to both regular starter Mike Hilton and backup Jalen Davis suffering injuries the week prior. Hill played in a nickelback role for the game, recording 5 solo tackles and 3 assisted tackles.[11]
2023
In his second season, Hill was named as the starting free safety. During the Bengals' Week 1 loss against the Cleveland Browns, Hill recorded his first career interception off of quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Personal life
Hill's middle name Jor-El was taken from the comic book character of the same name.[12] His brother, Justice Hill, played running back for the Oklahoma State Cowboys and was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft.[13]
References
- ^ Unrah, Jacob (December 6, 2018). "Tulsa Washington's Dax Hill named Oklahoma's Gatorade Player of Year". Oklahoman.com. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
- ^ VanHaaren, Tom (September 19, 2018). "Michigan bolsters 2019 class with No. 14 Hill". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
- ^ Baumgardner, Nick (December 19, 2018). "Daxton Hill, a 5-star safety, signs with Michigan football". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
- ^ McMann, Aaron (July 6, 2020). "Michigan S Daxton Hill poised for big jump in second season". mlive. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
- ^ Sang, Orion (September 30, 2020). "Michigan football's Dax Hill called perhaps best cover guy in Big Ten by Don Brown". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
- ^ McMann, Aaron (August 13, 2021). "Michigan plans to play Daxton Hill all over the field". mlive. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
- ^ Lozon, Von (January 6, 2022). "Daxton Hill declares for 2022 NFL Draft". Maize n Brew. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
- ^ "Daxton Hill Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
- ^ "2022 Draft Scout Daxton Hill, Michigan NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
- ^ Hobson, Geoff (April 28, 2022). "Bengals Go With Speed in Michigan's Dax Hill At No. 31". Bengals.com. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
- ^ "Cincinnati Bengals at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - December 18th, 2022". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
- ^ Hobson, Geoff (April 29, 2022). "Dax Hill Living Up To His Name As Bengals Welcome A Warrior On Defense". Bengals.com. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
- ^ Ruiz, Nathan (September 26, 2018). "OSU football: Justice Hill proud of brother's Michigan decision". Oklahoman.com. Retrieved February 15, 2023.