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Destyn Hill's attitude, approach leaving lasting impression on Florida State players, coaches
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- Destyn Hill's attitude, approach leaving lasting impression on Florida State players, coaches
Freshman wide receiver Destyn Hill's journey to Florida State was complicated.
He committed to FSU in February 2021 as a 4-star wide receiver out of Edna Karr High School in New Orleans and signed his letter of intent that same day.
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Four months later, his enrollment was delayed due to a "personal matter." Hill then missed the entire 2022-23 seasons.
FSU coaches stayed in contact with Hill during the delay and he focused on staying in shape. Then, in June 2023, nearly three years after his original enrollment, Hill was added to FSU's roster.
"I learned how important Florida State means to me and I couldn't wait to get here," Hill said to local media in June following his arrival at FSU. "It means everything that I'm getting out. I'm excited to see what's to come."
'He's been himself'
Florida State football newcomer, wide receiver Destyn Hill, works out during a practice.
As a freshman coming into a deep wide receiver room made up of Johnny Wilson , Keon Coleman and others, playing time will be limited for Hill in his first season.
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However, his position and rank have not limited him from finding ways to get involved.
Alongside getting reps in at wide receiver, Hill has been heavily used in punt return drills, alongside Trey Benson and Coleman. However, what has stood out to coaches is Hill's mature attitude to work, execute and stay focused on the goal at hand.
"He [Hill] has something that is hard to find. He has desire. You don't have to motivate or inspire him. It's already in him," offensive coordinator Alex Atkins said following the Seminoles' second scrimmage. "You know why he's doing it, you know why he wants to do it so those are the ones you have to protect from themselves."
"As long as there's work, he's going to go find it. He gets after it. I really want to praise his mindset and approach, his preparation which has allowed him to have those opportunities."
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Wide receiver coach Ron Dugans said that Hill has shown that he loves to work and has taken advantage of every situation that he's been into, whether it's familiar or unfamiliar.
"The kid loves to work and he doesn't shy away from it," Dugans said. "He's been one of the guys that's been up in the summer pushing himself through skills and drills. I've been on him hard and he's been responding. We try to put him in uncomfortable situations and he responds to it.
"He gets his butt kicked a little bit but he's someone you know when he really gets it. When he gets that technique down, he's going to be a problem."
Hill has had some big moments throughout fall camp, during practice and scrimmages. From returning punts to warning reporters on a sideline that a ball is going to hit them in the head , Hill has been everywhere.
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Head coach Mike Norvell praised Hill following the Seminoles ' second scrimmage in which he had made a "big catch" during the two-minute drill, highlighting the offensive effort on the day.
" Destyn Hill had a really big catch in a two-minute situation, made a big play there...You start looking at where that group [freshman receivers] can go on the perimeter, you know, the multiple tight ends, multiple receivers," Norvell said.
"We should be able to play fast, we should be able to stay fresh and we should be able to have a lot of different options of where to go with the ball depending on what we're seeing. So it is still down to us and our execution and the efficiency of that. But I like the growth I'm seeing."
Hill is young and still has a lot of growing to do, but coaches have seen his work ethic and potential, and how special it is.
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Despite being listed at 6-foot, 193 pounds, Hill has earned the affectionate nickname of 'fat' from his teammates.
While running backs coach David Johnson was in a press conference, Hill heard the question while walking by, yelling out "I hold my weight like a fat boy."
Johnson chuckled and responded:
"He definitely holds his weight like a fat boy, but that's why we call him 'fatastic.' He's done a good job and we're proud of him."
GAME INFORMATION
Who: AP No. 8 FSU (0-0) vs. No. 5 LSU (0-0)
When/where: Sunday, Sept. 3, 7:30 p.m.; Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Fla.
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TV/Radio: ABC/94.9 FM
Live game updates: www.Tallahassee.com; @JackGWilliams on Twitter; @Ehsan_Kassim on Twitter; @JimHenryTALLY on Twitter
Jack Williams covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at jwilliams@tallahassee.com or on Twitter @jackgwilliams.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Destyn Hill standing out among Florida State's freshmen wide recievers
