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Utah’s Hunter Hill becomes fourth offensive lineman in Class of ’19 to commit to Washington State

Washington State Cougars offensive lineman Andre Dillard (60) signals to a packed and cheering Martin Stadium as WSU takes the field to face Oregon during the first half of a college football game on Saturday, October 20, 2018, at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Wash. (Tyler Tjomsland / The Spokesman-Review)
By Theo Lawson theol@spokesman.com(509) 459-5584

PULLMAN – It’s a good time to be playing on the offensive line at Washington State. The Cougars have given up fewer sacks this season than any team in the Pac-12 and currently sit in a tie for sixth nationally, having conceded just five sacks in seven games. In four of those games, WSU’s O-line has kept quarterback Gardner Minshew totally clean, not allowing a single sack.

Those attributes and resume-boosters probably didn’t go unnoticed by Hunter Hill, and the three-star offensive tackle from Orem, Utah, gave the Cougars their latest verbal commit Tuesday afternoon. Hill becomes WSU’s 12th verbal pledge in the Class of 2019 and the fourth offensive line commit.

In a Twitter video, Hill, a former 4A state champion at Orem High, thanked his high school program before unveiling his college of choice.

“All good things must come to an end,” Hill said. “It’s been my dream since growing up to play college football and I’m so thankful for everyone that’s gotten me here and most importantly for all the schools that believed in me. But with all that being said, I’m beyond excited to announce that I’ll be continuing my football career and education at the Washington State University.”

WSU was the only Pac-12 offer for Hill, but he had other Pwer Five offers from Virginia and Vanderbilt. He also had offers from San Jose State, Idaho and Dixie State.

Hill, who stands 6-foot-6 and 275 pounds fits the profile of Mason Miller’s ideal offensive lineman: big and upright. WSU’s offensive line coach and running backs coach Eric Mele were Hill’s primary recruiters.

Hill’s Tigers, who are coached by his father Jeremy, beat Mountain Crest for the Utah 4A state championship at Rice-Eccles Stadium in 2017 and are 8-2 this season entering the 2018 state playoffs. With Hill at left tackle, the Tigers have averaged more than 50 points per game this season and won an Oct. 5 game by a score of 75-0. Orem has won two other games 63-0.

The Cougars have received verbal commitments from three other offensive lineman: Arizona Western College’s Dontae Powell, Walla Walla High’s Patrick Utschinski and Konner Gomness of San Joaquin Memorial in Fresno, Calif.