Hills still waiting patiently

One of the top JUCO safety prospects in the state of California the past two seasons has been Butte's A.J. Hills (6-2, 185), a player whose leadership skills and Football I.Q. will make him effective in almost any system. JCFootball.com spoke with the talented defensive back and he updated us on things...

Hills signed with Portland State out of high school, but once he arrived he let his grades slip and so Butte inherited a talented player.

"Butte was always a great program and last year, which was my first with them, we won the National Title so it was a good move for me," Hills told JCFootball.com recently. "I redshirted at Portland State my first year and then played here the past two years.

"I got All-Conference honors both years, so I think I can go and play anywhere, but I just haven't gotten the interest much yet."

"He's really a solid safety," Butte offensive coordinator Robbie Snelling told JCFootball.com. "He's 6-2, 190 and he runs really well and he's really got a good Football I.Q. He played quarterback in high school, so he understands the game well."

As a freshman in 2008, Hills had a huge season while helping to lead the Roadrunners to the National Championship. He totaled 85 tackles, three interceptions, one sack, one blocked punt and three forced fumbles and followed that up in 2009 with 77 tackles, one interception and two forced fumbles.

In high school, Hills was a two-sport star at Oroville High School, equaling his status on the football field with his leadership on the basketball court, scoring 22 points per game as a shooting guard.

"I feel like I'm just an all-around good athlete," Hills said. "I feel like I can be successful at anything I decide to do and I've been told I have good instincts and size and speed."

Recruiting has yet to pick up for the heady-player, with schools like Massachusetts, Liberty and Stony Brook showing tepid interest to this point.

Hills already has his AA degree and hopes to sign with a school soon so he can be on campus for spring football if possible. Wherever he ends up he'll have two years to play two once he arrives.

A.J. Hills Scout Profile

A.J. Hills Highlight Video