Jaydon Hill could make his 2022 debut in Knoxville

On3 imageby:Nick de la Torre•09/21/22•

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The long road to recovery is coming to an end for Florida Gators cornerback Jaydon Hill. The sophomore cornerback has been sidelined all of fall camp and has yet to play a down but could make his debut this Saturday in Knoxville.

“I think Jaydon Hill’s made a lot of progress. We expect him to potentially be available. Tomorrow will have a lot to do with that. He’s doing a great job with his rehabilitation process,” Billy Napier said on Wednesday night. “He’s a guy that obviously has been through some tough up and down moments from an injury perspective. It’s great to see him out there participating and interacting with his teammates and having that smile on his face. This guy loves to play. More importantly he loves to be a part of a team.”

Hill’s status went from “out” to “questionable” for the USF game. While Hill didn’t get into the game, he was, for the first time in 2022, dressed out for the game and on the sideline.

“I admire Jaydon. To go through what he’s gone through from an injury perspective, I think it’s important when you’re trying to overcome an injury to keep perspective,” Napier said in July. “I think it can benefit you if you have the right approach. It can create toughness. It can create resiliency. I think we see that. It shaped his character, and he’s better for it. Anytime you get injured, it’s a challenge.”

Hill’s return

Jaydon Hill went into the 2021 season the presumed starter across from Kaiir Elam. He was on track to make that a reality but tore his ACL on August 8 and needed surgery to repair his knee, which ended his season before it began.

He spent spring camp participating in a non-contact jersey but was not able to participate at all in fall camp.

As a true sophomore in 2020, Hill compiled 14 tackles while breaking up seven passes in 12 appearances. Hill will join a secondary that has played will in 2022.

Jalen Kimber recorded the Gators’ first pick six since Chauncey Gardner-Johnson accomplished one in the 2018 Peach Bowl. Additionally Jason Marshall, Tre’Vez Johnson, and Devin Moore have put together solid seasons. Hill will need to get in where he fits in but his return will surely be welcomed.

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