In a move that may redefine the trajectory of Memphis Tigers football, Georgian star quarterback Antwann Hill Jr. has given his verbal nod to join the team's 2025 class. Touted as the most distinguished quarterback to espouse the Tigers, Hill's recruitment has been a much-watched affair. According to WREG, Hill's choice to commit to the University of Memphis comes over offers from consummate Power Five schools, including the likes of Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.
"I’m heading to Memphis because of the opportunity to get on the field earlier is just a big reason for me," Hill told 247Sports' Tom Loy. The sentiment reflects both the athlete's desires for early playing time and close rapport with the Memphis coaching staff. Sporting News from SI.com also mentions that Hill is the third-highest-rated recruit to ever commit to the Tigers, and his Letter of Intent signing window is slated to open on December 4, 2024.
Hill, who stands at 6-foot-5, 215 pounds, pivoted to Memphis following a decommitment from Colorado, with the reconsideration allowing Memphis a foothold in the recruitment battle. The quarterback is gearing up for his senior year at Houston County High School; according to Local Memphis, Hill is also ranked as the 15th best quarterback nationally in the class of 2025 according to On3 Industry Ranking.
With their current lead quarterback, Seth Henigan, exiting his college career at the season's end, the Tigers are on the hunt for a formidable replacement—Hill seems primed for the position. Memphis' head coach Ryan Silverfield, aware of the looming vacancy, conveyed after Hill's visit, "You always want to have someone that you can build upon in that position but it's also nice to have a veteran presence," Memphis head coach Ryan Silverfield said after Hill visited Memphis. "Obviously Seth will be gone so, 'Hey, who is the next best player?' You always hope they are on your roster, but you've got to explore every option, whether it's in the portal, in recruiting, high school recruiting." Memphis's experience with freshmen starting as a quarterback could serve Hill well provided he leverages the opportunity as his predecessors did.
The landscape of college football continually shifts with the commitments of promising high school athletes. Hill's future at Memphis looks promising, and Tigers fans can begin the anticipation of their 2024 season, kicking off on August 31 at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, with a renewed sense of optimism around their program's quarterback roster.
