FOREST PARK, Ohio — Winton Woods senior linebacker and edge rusher Justin Hill announced Wednesday afternoon that he's given a verbal commitment to the University of Alabama.
"I feel great," Hill said. "I'm happy. I'm blessed I was able to make this decision. And I'm ready to move onto the next chapter and finish out this season and recruit for the Tide."
Hill, a four-star player, made the much-anticipated announcement on his 17th birthday inside the Winton Woods High School gymnasium in front of family, friends and coaches. The emotion of the moment brought tears to his eyes.
"I'm blessed, but I'm kind of just taking it all in," Hill said after his verbal commitment. "All these people man, that I love and love me, that came out here to see me. ... They just want the best for me."
Hill told WCPO 9 that he made the decision Tuesday night sitting in his room. He informed Alabama outside linebackers coach Christian Robinson with his choice Wednesday morning. Hill said he spoke with Robinson and he was the only coach he told about his decision.
"He was hyped," Hill said. "I tried to tell him keep it a secret - don't tell anyone. It was something that I wanted to keep a secret and surprise my family and everyone out there that supports Alabama. It all went good."
Hill, rated Ohio’s No. 4 player in the 2025 class by 247 Sports and the nation’s No. 7 edge rusher, narrowed his choices to Alabama, Ohio State, Oregon and University of Southern California as his finalists. The Division II first-team all-state player took official visits to the four programs in June.
He wrestled with his options over the past month. Prior to his official visit to Alabama, he had been leaning toward Ohio State. Oregon also came into strong consideration after that.
"It would be one school one week, another school another week - one school one week, another school another day," Hill said. "It was definitely crazy. I was all over the place for sure."
Hill said he anticipates the messages and recruitment will continue from opposing coaches until the NCAA's early signing period begins in early December.
"It's not over," Winton Woods coach Chad Murphy said. "These guys aren't going to stop recruiting him because of the football player that he is and the young man that he is. They'd be silly to do so until he signs his name on a line. It will continue until December but I know he's got to be relieved."
Name, image and likeness continued to play a factor even on Wednesday.
"It got so serious to the point where I was getting calls about it going higher literally an hour before I had to drive up here (to Winton Woods) to come announce," Hill said. "Obviously it didn't change anything but it's just crazy. It's a crazy thing."
Hill said he felt blessed to have such a ceremony in front of family, friends and supporters. He was emotional at times speaking to the audience. In the end, Alabama was the best fit.
"Just me seeing myself striving there and trusting what the coaches have and what they can do for me, developing me and I just feel like overall I'm going to be happy in Tuscaloosa," Hill said.
A large group of reporters asked him questions after the ceremony. Hill said having family support was of utmost importance during his special announcement.
"I grew up being an Ohio State fan," Hill said. "I got family that are Ohio State fans and they want me go to Ohio State but they love me for the fact that they don't care where I want to go. They just know it's great for me and they want the best for me."
The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Hill has impressed college coaches throughout a recruiting journey that's earned him nearly 30 scholarship offers since October 2021.
Cameras, microphones and phones recorded the entire ceremony Wednesday afternoon. Photos were snapped and memories were made.
"What an absolute unbelievable day," Winton Woods coach Chad Murphy said to the audience. "Justin is a phenomenal kid first and foremost. Everybody sees these hats sitting up here and all these Power Five schools see all these great highlights and this and that. But, it's unbelievable what we get to see here on a daily basis for the last four years is a guy who continues to keep his head down, stay humble and be one of the hardest workers in the room. And to me as a coach it just says an unbelievable thing about who he is as a person."
Winton Woods, which earned an 8-4 record in 2023, opens the season at 2023 Division I state runner-up Springfield on Aug. 23.
Hill is able to sign his National Letter of Intent Dec. 4.
Murphy said Hill will certainly make a significant impact on this year's Winton Woods team as it moves to Division I this season.
"The thing is about this dude is not only is he one of the best football players in the United States of America - he's one of the best human beings in the United States of America," Murphy said.
