Hill a silent but strong leader
STILLWATER — The media crowd kept growing around Oklahoma State running back Justice Hill, and most of the questions were about one of Hill’s least favorite topics to discuss. Himself.
What is he focusing on in spring practice? How will his role change? Is his body holding up after getting so many carries last season?
Those are the types of questions that often pepper a star player and, in Hill’s case, one who is now the face of the program as one of college football’s top running backs.
With that, Hill is high on the list of media requests. He knows it. But he doesn’t have to like it.
“I’d rather just go inside with everybody else,” Hill said with his familiar smile that oozes humility. “You gotta do this part, so it’s cool. I had to do it all through high school, so I’m used to it.
“It’s not something I dread. I don’t want to go in and give a two-word interview.”
As the Cowboys reach the end of spring workouts with the spring game at 1 p.m. Saturday inside Boone Pickens Stadium, they continue the search for their next group of leaders.
Mason Rudolph, with his passionate and strong personality, and James Washington, who commanded respect with his attitude and his performance, are gone. Wise voices like Brad Lundblade and Zach Crabtree have moved on as well.
Just as he is with the media, Hill isn’t naturally chatty on the field, either. Yet he finds himself in the perfect position to lead.
The offense that has been built around Rudolph the past three seasons will now be constructed around Hill.
“Show me a good offense, I’ll show you a good tailback,” OSU offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich said last December. “And he’s a great tailback, so it’s a great foundation to have. He’s a great kid and a phenomenal player. Just a great football player, and it’s gonna be fun to coach him again and to build our offense around him.”
With the bigger personalities he had around him, the soft-spoken Hill went about the business of becoming the Big 12’s best running back, rushing for 1,467 yards and 15 touchdowns last fall. He now has 2,609 rushing yards and has averaged
more than 100 yards per game for his career.
In the same way the media spotlight has turned to him more frequently this spring, so will the eyes of his teammates. But in neither situation will Hill exceed what comes natural to him. He’s going to be himself for whoever is watching.
“I just do the same thing, just come out here and work every day,” Hill said. “I produce on the field and lead in my position group, make sure everybody knows what they’re doing. Make sure they’re staying on top of everything outside of
football, too.”
Many players have agreed that they’re still trying to figure out who will become the vocal leaders of the 2018 Cowboys, but there’s no question about who is setting the example for what the team should be.
“Justice doesn’t talk very much. Very humble and extremely hard worker,” OSU coach Mike Gundy said. “One of the mistakes we can all make in life is to try to be something we’re not. That’s who he is.
“Leading by example is far more valuable than talking.”