Greene County senior Justin Hill has been playing football for only three years, and in that time, he’s transitioned into one of the main leaders in the locker room and on the field.
Since stepping onto the field for the first time in 2021, the 5-foot-10, 185-pound linebacker has quietly become one of the Tigers’ main playmakers on the defensive side of the ball. Hill’s passion for the sport didn’t just pop up overnight.
He recently acknowledged that this past offseason has increased his appreciation and desire to get better at the game.
“This past summer has made me love the sport. We were all just going through a regular workout one day, and I saw my teammates kind of drowsy, so I was the one that tried to get their energy up,” Hill said. “I don’t know what it was, but that kind of brought out something in me. It has just felt like I was meant to be out here and I’m glad I am.”
During the last two seasons, Hill was Greene County’s second-leading tackler. Two years ago, he totaled 22 tackles with the Tigers and racked up 60 total stops as of 2023.
The former All-Region First-Team honoree is also always making plays around the ball. Hill has recovered five fumbles in roughly 20 contests, forcing one of those fumbles himself last year.
This season, Hill will take on a new role for Greene County as he is transitioning to the offensive side of the ball as a running back in the backfield. Regardless of what position he plays, Hill wants to be recognized for his intensity on the gridiron for the Tigers as a senior.
“I want to be noticed for my intensity and how [hard] I go [on] every play. I never take one playoff, and I am straight going at it every down,” Hill explained. “We just want to go 1-0 every week, every day, and I know everyone else on the team is with me on that.”
Hill holds himself accountable and wants his teammates to play to a high standard as well. Heading into this season, Hill wants to make a point that everyone is on the same page.
“In terms of my leadership, I bring accountability to the table, and hold everyone up to a higher standard, just like [head coach Terrance] Banks holds me to,” he said. “I want my teammates to be able to look at me and see that I’m giving it my all so that they do the same. If I mess up, I just brush it off and make sure I’m giving them 100 percent on the next play. I also tell the guys to listen to Coach, not talk back, and just be a coachable player.”
Banks said that Hill plays an important role for Greene County as the “quarterback” of the defense.
“Everybody knows Juju [Kevin Wynn] on defense, but Justin Hill is the defense. People don’t understand that because all they see is Juju upfront,” Banks said. “He’s the one that makes every call He puts everybody in position, their alignment. So, he’s the one that can probe for 90 or 95 percent of the plays. He’s the one who makes sure the adjustments are together. If we call a blitz, make sure everyone understands it.”
“He is the quarterback of the defense. So much of what we do goes through him,” Banks added. “And because he’s a flexible player that can be a linebacker or DB, he’s doing all of that while not lining up in the same spot most of the time. So, for him to be able to do that, it’s kind of big for what we do. He leads the defense and is a leader for us.”
Aside from football, Hill is also a track-and-field athlete who was instrumental in the Tigers placing first in the 4x100 meter relay at the GHSA state championship meet this past spring.
Hill is familiar with success and believes it takes the entire team to give it their all to achieve their goals.
“Being a Greene County Tiger means taking pride in everything you do and going 100 percent on and off the field,” Hill said. “And when you are on the field, make sure you leave everything out there. Every play, every snap, going out there with your teammates, and giving it your all is what it’s all about. It takes being a team player to be able to get better.”