Julian Marquez Hill Bio
Julian Marquez Hill is an American professional football tight end who currently plays in the National Football League. Born on July 9, 2000, in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Hill pursued football at the collegiate level with the Campbell Fighting Camels before entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2023. He signed with the Miami Dolphins in 2023 and later joined the New England Patriots in 2026. Hill has built his professional career as a reliable tight end with size and physicality that translate well to both receiving and blocking roles at the NFL level.
Early Life and Background
Hill was born on July 9, 2000, in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Between the ages of 5 and 10, he experienced a period of homelessness while under the care of his biological mother. At age 10, he was adopted by Paul and Shannon Schaeffer, who became his parents and were instrumental in introducing him to organized sports for the first time. Their support and encouragement helped shape Hill’s path toward athletics and ultimately football.
Hill attended Pine Forest High School in Fayetteville, where he was a multi-sport athlete participating in football, baseball, and basketball. His football career as a quarterback began with an unexpected starting role thrust upon him just three games into his freshman year. He completed 52 percent of his passes for 927 yards and six touchdowns during that inaugural season. His sophomore campaign was cut short due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament, which interrupted his development early on.
Hill rebounded strongly as a junior, throwing for 17 touchdowns and 1,642 passing yards. However, another ACL tear in the season finale ended his senior year prematurely and caused many college recruiters to lose interest in his services. While recovering and playing basketball, Hill caught the attention of a Campbell Fighting Camels coach, which led to an opportunity that would change his career trajectory entirely.
Path to American Football
Hill joined the Campbell Fighting Camels football program as a preferred walk-on, earning his spot on the Division I FCS roster through his athletic ability demonstrated on the basketball court. Recognizing his potential after years as a quarterback, the coaching staff transitioned him to the tight end position. This move allowed Hill to leverage his size, athleticism, and football IQ in a new role that better suited his physical profile for the next level.
The transition from quarterback to tight end required significant adjustment. Hill had to learn different route-running techniques, blocking assignments, and how to use his body to create separation against larger defensive players. Despite the challenges of learning a new position at the collegiate level, his work ethic and football background helped him adapt more quickly than many observers expected.
Julian Marquez Hill College Career
Hill played for the Campbell Fighting Camels from 2018 to 2022, developing from a walk-on prospect into one of the most productive tight ends in the Big South Conference. As a true freshman, he appeared in all 11 games on the season, getting his first taste of collegiate football at his new position. He continued seeing regular playing time in his sophomore year, recording six receptions for 85 yards across 11 games in 2019.
The shortened 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic saw Hill post six catches for 102 yards while earning second-team All-Big South Conference recognition. His breakthrough campaign came in 2021 when he led the entire Big South Conference with 34 receptions for 367 yards and two touchdowns. Those numbers earned him first-team All-Big South Conference honors, validating his development into a significant offensive weapon.
In his final collegiate season of 2022, Hill delivered his most productive statistical year with 38 catches for 659 yards and five touchdowns, earning a third consecutive all-conference selection. Across his 48-game college career with 26 starts, he totaled 85 receptions for 1,218 yards and seven touchdowns, establishing himself as one of the most accomplished tight ends in Campbell football history.
Julian Marquez Hill Professional Career
Miami Dolphins Era (2023–2025)
After going unselected in the 2023 NFL Draft, Hill signed as an undrafted free agent with the Miami Dolphins. His journey from small-school prospect to NFL player was marked by determination and resilience. He made the Dolphins final roster as a rookie, becoming the first player in Campbell football history to earn a spot on an NFL roster. This accomplishment stood as a testament to his growth since arriving as a walk-on and switching positions.
During his rookie season, Hill appeared in 15 games while catching 6 passes for 48 yards. His role was primarily on special teams and as a supplementary receiving option in the Dolphins offense. He continued building his experience and adapting to the speed and complexity of professional football throughout that first year. The Dolphins coaching staff valued his physical tools and continued to develop him within their offensive scheme.
New England Patriots (2026–present)
On March 12, 2026, Hill signed with the New England Patriots, joining the franchise on a three-year contract. The move represented a new chapter in his professional career and an opportunity to contribute to a team with a storied tradition of developing offensive talent. Hill brought his combination of size, length, and receiving ability to New England’s tight end rotation.
During practice in June 2026, Hill suffered a season-ending knee injury that required placing him on the injured reserve list. The injury occurred before the start of the regular season and forced him to miss his entire 2026 campaign with the Patriots. This setback came as he was working to establish himself within the Patriots organization and earn a significant role in their offense.
Julian Marquez Hill Family
Family Background
Hill was adopted by Paul and Shannon Schaeffer at the age of 10. His adoptive parents were the first to introduce him to organized sports and provided him with the stability and support necessary to pursue athletics seriously. Their investment in his development as a young athlete laid the foundation for his eventual journey to professional football. Hill has spoken publicly about the profound impact his adoptive parents had on shaping his character and work ethic.
Personal Life
Beyond football, Hill has navigated the unique challenges that come with being a professional athlete. His early life experiences, including the period of homelessness before his adoption, have contributed to his perspective on perseverance and opportunity. He continues to maintain connections with the Campbell football program that gave him his first real chance at playing at the collegiate level.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Hill’s third year in the NFL and his continued development with the Miami Dolphins before his mid-career move to New England. Coming off a 2024 season where he appeared in multiple games and contributed to the Dolphins passing offense, Hill was working to expand his role within the team structure. His combination of size at 6-foot-4 and 251 pounds made him a valuable asset in both the receiving game and as a run blocker.
The Dolphins were seeking to build upon their previous season’s performance and establish a more consistent offensive identity. Hill’s progression as a receiving threat gave the coaching staff another weapon to deploy in various offensive sets. His familiarity with the Dolphins system after two seasons provided him with a foundation to make meaningful contributions as the 2025 season progressed.