Anthony Hill, a 6-foot-1, 180-pound defensive back from Champlin Park High School, has drawn recruiting interest from the Dakota schools along with Minnesota, who is expected to visit his school soon. Hill was named Associated Press and Minnesota Vikings All-State teams and was first team KARE-11 All-Metro and second team StarTribune All-Metro.

Hill helped lead the Rebels to a 5-5 mark, losing to Wayzata 21-14 in the Section 5, 5A second round playoffs. Their record is a bit misleading as all five losses were to ranked teams, including losses to Prep Bowl champion Eden Prairie and runner-up Wayzata

Hill was selected the Northwest Suburban Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He finished the season with three interceptions and 57 tackles. Hill was a three-year starter, who served as a team captain this year.

GopherHole.com recently caught up with Hill to learn the latest on his senior season, his football honors and possibility of becoming a Gopher.

Gopher Hole: You were named to the Associated Press, Minnesota Vikings and St. Paul Pioneer Press All-State teams. You have to be very pleased with your performance this season.

Anthony Hill: I wish we would have had a better season team-wise, but, individually, I think I performed well. You can always do better and you push yourself to do better.

Gopher Hole: What was the experience like being named to the Minnesota Vikings All-State team and being honored at halftime of the game?

Anthony Hill: It was amazing. I couldn’t have even dreamed about this. I didn’t even know this was possible, so I liked every minute of it.

Gopher Hole: What schools are you hearing from right now?

Anthony Hill: North Dakota State, South Dakota State, North Dakota and the U of M is coming to my schools soon, so I am excited about that.

Gopher Hole: Have you had a chance to go to any college for any visits yet?

Anthony Hill: North Dakota and South Dakota State.

Gopher Hole: Any offers yet?

Anthony Hill: Those two, UND and SDSU have offered.

Gopher Hole: Did you get a chance to go to many college football games this fall?

Anthony Hill: I went to a couple. I didn’t want to miss too much football and we watch tape on Saturdays.

Gopher Hole: What positions are schools looking at you playing in college?

Anthony Hill: They are looking at me at corner or strong safety. Whatever position, I can do it.

Gopher Hole: What do you think your strengths are as a defensive back?

Anthony Hill: I can read coverage. I study. I can backpedal. I have some speed. I am really athletic. I am long and lanky, so I can tip ball and get up there.

Gopher Hole: Did you get a chance to go to many football camps this past summer?

Anthony Hill: I went to NDSU and SDSU.

Gopher Hole: What things are you going to be continuing to work on to improve yourself as a player?

Anthony Hill: Speed and strength. You can never be strong enough or fast enough, so I’ll keep working on those two.

Gopher Hole: What are you hearing from the Gophers?

Anthony Hill: I haven’t really talked to them much lately, but I will when they come to my school. They are supposed to come to the school after that break, so I will get a chance to sit down and talk to them.

Gopher Hole: Have you heard anymore or whether they are looking at you as a walk-on or as a scholarship player or don’t you know yet?

Anthony Hill: I don’t know yet. Hoping for a scholarship, of course. I really don’t know yet.

Gopher Hole: Would you be interested in a preferred walk-on situation with them?

Anthony Hill: If I see how much money I would get for an academic scholarship and things like that, then maybe, but I think that I would rather go for a scholarship.

Gopher Hole: You are part of a basketball team that is playing very well right now having won the Bethel Tournament Friday. You have to be pretty pleased with how well you are playing right now. 

Anthony Hill: We have a young team, but the last couple of games in that Bethel Tournament, we grew up a little bit more and more. I have to lead by example. I take it on full stride and try to do the things that I have to do; rebound and play against bigger guys. Whatever I have to do to win.

Gopher Hole: Did you end up guard Rashad Vaughn, who is regarded as one of the top players in the state?

Anthony Hill: I did some of that. We took him away with a zone and things like that to keep the ball out of his hands.

Gopher Hole: You are a defensive back in football, so you take pride in your defense in basketball as well?

Anthony Hill: Yes. Defense is a big thing for me in basketball, too.

Gopher Hole: Do you have any other visits set up?

Anthony Hill: I have talked about visiting Minnesota and I am supposed to go to SDSU and meet with them again. I am supposed to visit UND in the next couple of weeks and after that I am going to SDSU.