Sidelines: FPC linebacker Rodney Hill charges onto power-five recruiting lists

Hill turned heads at the Under Armor Next Miami Camp, where he was named Linebacker MVP.

By Brent Woronoff
| 9:56 a.m. March 1, 2022

FPC sophomore linebacker Rodney Hill shined at the Under Armor Next Miami Camp. File photo by Jake Montgomery

Palm Coast Observer
Sports

FPC’s Hill shines at elite camp

FPC linebacker Rodney Hill turned heads at the Under Armor Next Miami Camp last month.

Now, the sophomore is getting attention from some of the top football schools in the country, starting with an offer from the University of Tennessee.

“His recruiting has really taken off in the last couple of weeks,” FPC football coach Robert Paxia said. “He’s one of the first guys from this county to get power-five offers directly out of high school. Other players have transferred to power-five schools, but they didn’t get offers out of high school.”

Power-fives are schools are in the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, ACC and Pac-12 conferences. Getting Hill an invite to the prestigious Under Armor camp and getting him the exposure he needed, wasn’t easy, Paxia said.

“It was huge for us. This county doesn’t get a lot of exposure.”

Hill was named the Linebacker MVP at the camp. He showcased his speed as an inside linebacker and excelled in one-on-one matchups, winning battles against some of the nation’s top recruits, including Five-Star running back Richard Young of Lehigh Acres.

Si.com said Hill “played with inside leverage down the field and was comfortable taking risks for the football at the catch point. … Hill is fluid out of breaks and flashed some make-up speed when select backs did get a step or two behind him.”

During his next two seasons with the Bulldogs, Hill will be getting national attention, and that will also provide more exposure for his teammates.

Terrell, Fitzgerald combine for 12 goals

After suffering two lopsided losses to open the season, FPC's girls lacrosse team crushed Tocoi Creek 14-3 on Feb. 24.

Senior Kylie Terrell scored seven goals in the contest. Mikiya Fitzgerald added five goals, and Christina Calidonio scored two goals.

Matanzas’ boys lacrosse team evened its record to 2-2 with a 4-3 win over Father Lopez on Feb. 25. The Pirates opened the season with a 6-4 victory over St. Augustine St. Joseph.