Versatile Brandon Hill signs with Duke

Brandon Hill’s athletic career at Heathwood Hall can summed up in one word – versatile.

Hill played football, soccer and basketball during his time at the school.

But Hill will be focused on just one sport – football – as the senior signed his letter of intent Wednesday to play at Duke.

“I can’t wait to focus on one sport,” said Hill who was wearing a Duke bowtie during his ceremony. “It will give me room to improve in that single area. But it has been great playing all these sports, and it has helped me improve over all as an athlete and as a football player.”

On the football field, he played five different positions in his career – running back, quarterback, linebacker, receiver and lineman. He amassed almost 1,700 yards of offense and 18 touchdowns the past two seasons.

On defense, Hill recorded 167 tackles, seven sacks and four interceptions during his junior and senior seasons. He was a USA Today All-State selection this year.

Hill will play linebacker at Duke, and will join Heathwood Hall grad Gabe Brandner, a junior offensive lineman for the Blue Devils. The 6-foot-3, 217 pound Hill is a three-star recruit and ranked the No. 8 prospect in the state, according to 247Sports.

Hill is part of a 21-member signing class, which includes seven four-star recruits.

“Definitely going to be some adjusting, but that is the case with every athlete going into a Division I program,” Hill said. “I’m looking to come in, and do what I need to do and progress.”

Soccer, not football, was Hill’s first love growing up, and he didn’t play football until the seventh grade. He has been a four-year standout for the Highlanders’ soccer team.

Hill’s father, Michael Hill, grew up playing soccer in his home country of Jamaica and passed it on to his son. The elder Hill was a part of Florida State’s track & field team when he came to the United States in 1986.

Brandon Hill, a forward in soccer, has 47 career goals at Heathwood and is closing in on becoming the school’s all-time leader in goals and points.

“It is very exciting and very special watching him grow up,” Michael Hill said. “He has always loved soccer and it is still probably his favorite. But he has become a very good football player. And whatever provides an opportunity for him works for me.”

This story was originally published February 3, 2016 at 9:42 PM.