‘Edgy’ Tim: Naperville North’s Hill enrolling at Indiana this week

It's pretty good to be Gabriel Hill these days.

Hill, who graduated from Naperville North last month, is preparing to begin his college career later this week. Hill, who verbally committed to the Indiana Hoosiers in May, had 15 scholarship offers including from a dozen Power Four schools such as Illinois, Notre Dame, LSU, Iowa and Tennessee.

So has it sunk in yet that Hill is graduated from high school and will be a college freshman next week playing for the nation's top-ranked program?

“It still really hasn't hit me yet that I'm done with high school,” Hill said. “I think once I get down to Indiana later this week, I'm sure it will hit me at that time. Right now it's just about getting to chill with my family and friends before things really get ramped up next week”

Hill has had a front-row seat in getting to know the Indiana coaches and program.

“I expected them to do really well and to be in this position to be honest,” he said. “I did not expect them to be so dominating like they have been. How they handled Ohio State was impressive. It was also very impressive how they handled Alabama. It's just been really exciting to watch and I can't wait to be a part of it all.”

Hill, who looked hard at LSU and Iowa along with Indiana, pointed toward his official visit in April to Indiana as a key factor in his final decision.

“I was able to have my first real sit down meeting with Coach (Curt) Cignetti on that visit and that meeting was when I knew Indiana was the place for me,” Hill said. “I was able to learn so much about Coach Cignetti and how process-driven he is.

“He's part of the Alabama coaching tree under Coach (Nick) Saban, and a lot of those coaches are doing really well now, including Kirby Smart (Georgia) and Dan Lanning (Oregon). I love how the Indiana program stresses just being your best every single day along with being detailed-driven. Indiana is just a great fit for me and after that meeting I was all set.”

He also wanted to find a program that could help him continue to grow and develop his game. His development as a student-athlete at Indiana was a high priority.

“Indiana already have some very talented defensive linemen who are younger guys who could wind up playing in the league very soon,” he said. “Indiana already runs NFL plays and stunts in the defense at the highest level and is having amazing success. Indiana is also a great school academically and just offers so much.”

Does Hill have any advice for the next class of high school players having to charter the recruiting waters?

“Go to the school that is willing to invest into you when you go there,” he said. “Go to the school who takes time to talk to you, talks to your family and explains how you fit into the football program and the school. I was able to get to know the Indiana coaches really well and built a trust and a relationship with them.”