Tyreek Hill, known as “Cheetah” for his blistering speed, has cemented himself as one of the NFL’s most electrifying wide receivers. With accolades including a Super Bowl ring, multiple Pro Bowl selections, and All-Pro honors, his on-field achievements are undeniable. However, the journey to NFL stardom wasn’t straightforward for Hill. Many fans and analysts often wonder, Where Did Tyreek Hill Go To College? His collegiate path is an interesting story of talent, setbacks, and second chances, spanning across different levels of college football.
Hill’s story begins in Pearson, Georgia, where his athletic prowess was evident from a young age. Even before college, his speed was turning heads. To further his development, his grandparents facilitated a move to Coffee High School, believing a change of environment would be beneficial. This move proved fruitful, as Hill’s high school highlight reel became legendary. He wasn’t just a football standout; his track and field performances were record-breaking. Hill clocked an astonishing 10.19 seconds in the 100 meters and 20.14 seconds in the 200 meters, times that placed him among the nation’s elite high school sprinters. To contextualize his 200-meter time, it would have been competitive at the Olympic level just a year later. He dominated state championships in track and field, showcasing his exceptional athleticism.
Despite his remarkable athletic gifts, academic hurdles prevented Hill from directly entering a major four-year college program after high school. Scholarship offers were non-existent due to academic challenges. In his own words, Hill admitted to not prioritizing academics, choosing instead to socialize and neglect his studies. This academic detour led him to Garden City Community College in Kansas.
Garden City Community College, a junior college (JUCO) in Kansas, became Hill’s first college football destination. This JUCO is known for its strong football program, providing a platform for talented players to refine their skills and academics before transferring to four-year universities. At Garden City, Hill excelled, showcasing his dual-threat capability. He rushed for 659 yards and five touchdowns and added 32 receptions for 532 yards as a receiver. His track speed remained elite, evidenced by his personal best of 9.98 seconds in the 100 meters at the 2013 Hutchinson NJCAA Championships. His performances at Garden City reignited interest from major college football programs.
As a highly sought-after transfer prospect, Hill attracted attention from numerous powerhouse programs including Alabama, Florida State, USC, and Texas. However, his desire to continue his track career played a significant role in his decision. Oklahoma State University emerged as the frontrunner, largely due to their newly constructed, state-of-the-art track and field complex and their proactive recruitment by track coaches. This emphasis on track, alongside football, swayed Hill to choose Oklahoma State.
His time with the Oklahoma State Cowboys was initially marked by electrifying performances. In his single season in Stillwater, Hill became a dynamic all-purpose threat. He amassed 1,811 all-purpose yards, demonstrating his versatility as a rusher, receiver, and return specialist. He also broke school records in the 60-meter and 200-meter track events multiple times. However, his promising trajectory at Oklahoma State was abruptly halted. In December 2014, Hill was dismissed from the team following an arrest and subsequent guilty plea for domestic violence. This incident cast a shadow over his football future and significantly impacted his draft stock.
Following his dismissal from Oklahoma State, Hill’s college career took another turn. He found a second chance at the University of West Alabama, a Division II program. Initially, West Alabama’s head coach Brett Gilliland hesitated due to the serious nature of Hill’s past offense. However, after thorough consultation with Hill’s previous coaches and mentors, and reviewing his plea agreement that emphasized rehabilitation through education or employment, Gilliland decided to offer Hill an opportunity.
This move to West Alabama proved beneficial for both Hill and the program. He continued to showcase his exceptional talent, contributing in multiple facets of the game. In his season at West Alabama, Hill accumulated rushing, receiving, and return yards, scoring touchdowns as a rusher and returner. Despite his on-field production, the domestic violence incident significantly impacted his NFL draft prospects. Many projected him to go undrafted in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Despite the controversy and lower division college background from West Alabama, the Kansas City Chiefs, under head coach Andy Reid and general manager John Dorsey, took a chance on Tyreek Hill. Known for giving players second chances, the Chiefs selected Hill in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, making him the first player drafted from West Alabama since 1974. This selection was met with considerable backlash from fans, but Coach Reid defended the decision, emphasizing the organization’s belief in Hill’s potential for rehabilitation and positive change.
Hill acknowledged the fans’ concerns and took responsibility for his past actions. He expressed remorse and committed to becoming a better person and citizen. His subsequent NFL career with the Chiefs and now the Miami Dolphins has been marked by exceptional play and a gradual rebuilding of his public image, though the shadow of his past college incident remains a part of his narrative.
In conclusion, to answer the question, where did Tyreek Hill go to college?, the answer is multifaceted. Tyreek Hill attended Garden City Community College, Oklahoma State University, and ultimately played his final college football season at the University of West Alabama. His journey through these institutions reflects a path marked by extraordinary athletic talent, academic challenges, personal setbacks, and ultimately, redemption and NFL success after being drafted from West Alabama.
