Interview with Rising 2021 California ATH Salah Hill
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
In any sport, athleticism and talent travels, and all that ability traveled with Salah Hill from Norview High School in Virginia to Village Christian in California during the 2019 season. Hill quickly immersed himself into the playbook as a do-everything defender and an all-around skill player for the Crusaders. The result of all Hill’s hard work was a 1,000-plus all-purpose yard season with 301 yards off 17 receptions with four scores and 374 rush yards off 29 totes with five more touchdowns. On defense, the 5-11, 180-pound, defender put an end to 66 plays with 10 tackles for a loss, two fumble recoveries, and a forced fumble strip taken back for a score.
Given his speed and knack for showcasing it the right way at college camps over the summer, college coaches on both shorelines are familiar with Hill’s growing abilities and his capacity to impact the game on either side of the ball. To talk about his season after moving from Virginia to California and his growing recruiting prospects, I sat down for a one-on-one with Hill.
Interview
Salah, what was the transition like for you going from Virginia to California football?
“It was me getting my mindset right around playing somewhere different. I had to keep working harder than others, play my game and not get into my head about anything.”
You were a play-maker in Village Christian’s offense. Where all did you line up and how were the coaches getting you the ball?
“I played everything from running back to all four receiver positions. The way I was getting the ball – it was mostly off running plays, screens and different routes. My coaches did a great job getting me the ball, especially when we needed to score.”
Your speed pops. How fast are you?
“My last 40 was at a UCLA camp; that was my first weekend in California. I ran a 4.4.”
Nice. On offense, where did you show the biggest improvements in your game this season?
“This was my first year playing offense. I have been playing football since I was five-years-old, but I had been playing defense. I made the best of it I enjoyed. My offensive success has to do a lot with my defensive IQ. My main position was being a DB. Knowing the coverages and knowing what they are looking for helped me a lot. I’d like to give thanks to Coach Bru (Richard Broussard) and my teammates. I couldn’t do anything without them.”
Where all did you play on defense this year?
“End to outside and inside linebacker, safety, and corner.”
Which is your favorite defensive position?
“Safety.”
How did you show improvement on that side of the ball in 2019?
“Throughout the summer I was working a lot on defense. I got better with my coverage and my lateral speed.”
In which game did you put it all together for a top performance?
“Against Valley Christian. I had three touchdowns in that game. That was a win or go home game. I put it all out there. I did not let up until it was all zeroes on the scoreboard. I had a rushing, receiving, and defensive touchdown that I stripped and took in for a touchdown. I think I had 15 tackles and three tackles for a loss in that game.”
That is a fantastic all-around game. Going into recruiting. Which schools are showing interest?
“I have an offer from Virginia Lynchburg. One of their coaches came to my old school and offered three of us after a 7v7 event. There are a lot of schools back home after camps this summer that have shown interest. Some that are showing interest that I visited are N.C. State, Tennessee, UCLA, East Carolina, I’ve been to Maryland several times, Duke, and UNC (North Carolina). I’ve been to a lot of colleges.”
This fall, did you take any game day visits?
“Yes. I went to UCLA for the Arizona State game.”
How did that go?
“It was amazing. The coaches recognized me from the camp. It went really well. It was a great experience being in the Rose Bowl for the first time. It was heartwarming.”
Very cool. Looking ahead with the offseason here, what will be the focus of your workouts?
“The focus is on getting better overall. I am doing a lot of running mechanics working for a top 40 time and getting ready for camps. This was my first year playing offense, I will focus a lot on the offensive side of the ball – route running, catching, and elevating my game so I can perform my best on Friday nights.”
Are you playing any other varsity sports?
“Yes. Volleyball, I will run track, and I might play soccer.”
Which events in track might you run?
“The 100, 4×1, and long jump. I might run the 200 too.”
Salah, it was great getting time in with you today covering your play on the field. Good luck this offseason with your workouts and with the upcoming seasons in track and volleyball.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Valley Christian/Hill family; No. 4 Salah Hill in action and at UCLA (2019)