Hill’s long road leads home: Mooney grad headed to YSU

By Joe Scalzo

The former All-Ohioan left Michigan last summer and starts YSU classes Monday.

YOUNGSTOWN — Taylor Hill is headed back to the classroom. Fortunately for YSU, he’s headed back to the football field, too.

The Mooney High graduate, who spent a few weeks at the University of Michigan last summer, will begin classes at YSU on Monday. The former All-Ohio football player will likely play rush-end at YSU, which is a hybrid defensive line/linebacker position similar to what he played at Mooney.

“Over the past month I’ve been going down to YSU, getting to know everybody and everything,” said Hill, who will have at least three years of eligibility remaining. “When it all came down to it, YSU is a good fit. I’ll be at home and everybody will be able to come see me play.”

Hill (6-foot-3, 220 pounds) practiced with the Wolverines this summer but left the team around Labor Day after deciding it wasn’t a good fit. He was then contacted by coaches at Kent and YSU.

Had he enrolled at Kent, he would have been redshirted next fall. Because YSU is a I-AA school, he’ll be able to compete for playing time with the Penguins right away, something that helped sway his decision.

“I can’t wait to get back on the playing field,” he said. “I’ll be able to practice, hit the weight room and play football again.”

Hill has been working out with former Mooney teammate Vinnie Patella, following the Penguins’ schedule. He plans to major in business management.

“Everybody around me is really happy, really excited,” said Hill, who has spent the last few months working. “I can’t wait to get back into school and to start playing again.”

scalzo@vindy.com