If Florida football cornerback Jaydon Hill earned a game ball after two interceptions Saturday against Missouri, allowing him to reflect on what he’s overcome.
Torn ACL in left knee in high school. Another torn ACL in right knee last season. LCL injury to same right knee this offseason.
“I’m just happy to, you know what I’m talking about, keep playing,” Hill said. “Honestly, I shouldn’t have even played this year. I just feel like it’s an honor.”
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Hill earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his play Saturday. His 49-yard interception return for a touchdown put the Gators up 10-0 late in the first quarter.
Hill added another critical interception in the red zone late in the third quarter. Those were the first and second interceptions of his college career.
“Honestly, the second one was bigger than the first one because we literally didn’t hold them scoreless,” Hill said. – They could knock out three immediately after that. Every takeout is good, but takeout when they’re in the red zone is different. because it’s points.’
The 6-foot, 181-pound Hill from Huntsville, Ala., played in 10 games as a freshman in 2019. He then made five starts as a sophomore in 2020 for the Gators, recording seven pass breakups, which ranked second on the team.
Then came a knee injury that kept Hill out for the 2021 season. He returned last spring and caught the attention of freshman Billy Napier.
“The discipline to continue his rehab, the toughness to stay the course, he has a passion for the game,” Napier said. “I always wanted to watch him in spring ball, he was one of the best players we had. It showed up.”
An LCL injury forced Hill out of fall camp and the first four games of 2022. He returned to Eastern Washington wearing a knee brace. But after practicing in preparation for Missouri, Hill said he felt it was time to take the brace off.
“Right before D went out there, Donovan, one of the coaches came with him,” Hill said. “I just gave him one of those (looks) and said, ‘I’m ready.’ “
With the multi-interception game, Hill became the first Florida player with two interceptions and a pick-six in the same game since Chauncey Gardner-Johnson did it against Michigan in the Peach Bowl on Dec. 29, 2018.
“It’s been a long journey,” Hill said. “A lot of hard work, long nights, a lot of tears. It was a journey. The work I put in paid off and I can’t complain. I’m just blessed. I’m still here. I’m still going.”