​Elijah Hill is a defensive end who began his college career at Bryant High School in Bryant, Arkansas, under head coach Quad Sanders. A three-time state champion, Hill helped the Hornets achieve a combined 35-2 record over his final three seasons. In his senior year, he earned Arkansas Democrat-Gazette All-Arkansas Preps Defensive Player of the Year and Class 7A Defensive Player of the Year honors after posting 56 tackles, 30 tackles for loss, and 15 sacks, along with three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and a defensive touchdown. As a junior, he recorded 82 tackles, 39 tackles for loss, and 11.5 sacks, earning all-state recognition. Hill eventually signed with Kennesaw State over multiple offers and interest from several programs, choosing the Owls over schools such as Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Central Arkansas, Missouri Southern, Morehouse College, Northwest Missouri State, Ouachita Baptist, Tennessee-Martin, and with interest shown by Arkansas State, Southeast Missouri State, and Tulsa.
At Kennesaw State, Hill has emerged as a key addition to the defensive line. He transferred to the program with a major in business management and entered the 2025 season as a second-string defensive end with substantial available eligibility. He is on scholarship and is projected to contribute immediately on the field, with three to four years of remaining eligibility depending on 5-to-play/redshtag rules.
In the 2025 season, Hill appeared in all 14 games for the Owls, finishing with 22 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and nine sacks. His performance earned him first-team All-Conference USA honors and a spot on the Conference USA All-Freshman Team. Hill ranked 30th nationally in sacks, led Conference USA in sacks per game (0.64), and was the most productive freshman pass rusher in the league that season. He logged 299 defensive snaps and 43 plays on special teams, contributing to Kennesaw State’s conference championship run.
Hill’s notable game-by-game impact included a career-high 2.5 sacks at UTEP and two sacks in both the Merrimack and Jacksonville State games, the latter coming in the Conference USA Championship Game. He also recorded 1.5 sacks and a career-best three tackles for loss at New Mexico State, a game in which he tallied a career-high four tackles. Hill recorded three tackles against UTEP and collected two tackles in six other contests, including the Myrtle Beach Bowl against Western Michigan. According to PFF, he posted an 87.0 pass rush grade and a 17.5 percent pressure rate last season.
Hill’s development has been supported by a coaching staff that recognizes his athleticism and potential. Defensive coordinator Jordan Peterson highlighted Hill and his edge presence, noting the combination of twitch, explosion, and power on the defensive ends alongside teammate Wendell Gregory. Head coach Collin Klein expressed confidence in Hill’s ability to contribute on all three downs, praising his competitive drive, motor, and elite change-of-direction skills as he continues to evolve physically and technically through spring practices and beyond.