Rodney Hill talks decision to become Razorback

FAYETTEVILLE — Former Florida State running back Rodney Hill took an official visit to Arkansas this weekend and on Friday he committed.

Hill, 5-10, 190, played two years at Florida State then transferred to Florida A&M for the spring semester. He didn’t go through spring drills there and entered the portal when it reopened this week. On Saturday following his visit to see the Hogs, Hill talked about why he chose them.

“Just the place this is my first time to be up here,” Smith said. “The first portal I was in I was debating on coming here because I had never seen the place. Coach (Sam) Pittman and Coach (Miles) Fishback were just putting it on me I should come up here. This portal, when it opened up, they called me back. I came up and I love it here. I didn’t know it was this nice. I’m a country boy. I like to fish and hunt. That’s all I do. I was pretty happy that I got to be here. I’m glad they took a chance on me and let me come. I’m happy to be a Razorback.”

Kolby Smith is the running back coach and has experience both as a player and assistant in the NFL. That definitely appeals to Hill.

“Most definitely coming from the NFL, the Dolphins, he can show me how I can get to the league,” Hill said. “I feel like Coach Smith can take me to the next level with my work ethic. All the tools he will give me I will use on the field. I will be a special team’s player, I can play offense. I will try to be an all-around player like I was at Florida State. Just keep improving my game.”

In 2023, Hill rushed 50 times for 190 yards and one touchdown. He caught five passes for 83 yards. In 2022, Hill rushed 27 times for 144 yards and a touchdown.

Sophomore running Isaiah Augustave entered the transfer portal following Saturday’s spring game. Hill will join a running back group that includes Ja’Quinden Jackson, Braylen Russell, Rashod Dubinion and Dominique Johnson. He likes the depth present at Arkansas.

“Most definitely,” Hill said. “The running back room is a real running back room. It’s real deep. I like that it’s real deep, lots of fresh legs so we can rotate in. It’s not all about me, it’s about the whole team. If everybody is getting theirs I’m happy. I don’t really mind. I’m gonna do what I’ve got to do to get on the field. I know I’ve got three years left so I know I can work on myself, polish all my abilities and all my techniques I will be good. We’re just going to put our heads down and work.”

As a senior at Statesboro (Ga.) Bulloch Academy, Hill carried 38 times for 344 yards (9.1 yards per carry) and three touchdowns. He also caught 12 passes for 152 yards and a touchdown.