Troy Hill

Troy Hill Bio

Troy Hill (born August 29, 1991) is an American former professional football cornerback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 10 seasons. A native of Ventura, California, Hill played for six NFL teams during his professional career, most notably the Los Angeles Rams, where he earned NFL defensive touchdowns leader honors in 2020. He played college football for the Oregon Ducks and currently serves as the head football coach at his alma mater, St. Bonaventure High School in Ventura, California.

Early Life and Background

Troy Hill grew up in Ventura, California, and attended St. Bonaventure High School, where he quickly established himself as a versatile athlete playing both defensive back and wide receiver. During his senior season, Hill helped lead his team to an 11-2 record, though those wins were later forfeited when it was discovered that Hill was ineligible to play. Despite this setback, Hill earned multiple honors including 2009 All-Channel League First-Team Defense, 2008 Second-Team All-State Junior by CalHiSports.com, 2007 All-Channel League Second-Team Defense, and All-CIF-Southern Section Northern Division recognition.

As a high school recruit, Hill earned a three-star rating from Scout.com and Rivals.com, ranking as the No. 32 cornerback in the country. His impressive high school career paved the way for his transition to college football at the University of Oregon.

Path to American Football

Hill joined the Oregon Ducks football program in 2010, where he developed into a reliable defensive back over four seasons. As a junior, Hill emerged as the Ducks fifth-leading tackler among defensive backs, finishing the year with 29 tackles including 21 solo stops and four pass deflections. His senior season proved to be his most productive, as Hill recorded 71 tackles to rank seventh on the team and earned Second-team All-Pac-12 Conference honors while starting all 14 games.

Hill ranked second in the conference averaging 1.46 passes defended per game and 11th nationally in that category. His college career demonstrated his ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game, though it was briefly interrupted when he was arrested in December 2013 and suspended from the team after pleading guilty to menacing. Hill was later reinstated to complete his college career before entering the NFL Draft in 2015.

Troy Hill Career

Early Career (2015)

Despite being one of the top cornerback prospects in his college conference, Troy Hill went undrafted in the 2015 NFL Draft. On May 3, 2015, he signed a three-year, $1.58 million contract with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent. Hill competed for a roster spot during training camp but was waived on September 5, 2015, and signed to the Bengals practice squad the following day. He was promoted to the active roster on December 5, 2015, making his professional debut on December 6 against the Cleveland Browns, where he recorded three solo tackles in a 37-3 victory.

Hill appeared in two more games with the Bengals before being waived on December 24, 2015. The New England Patriots claimed him off waivers on December 25, and he appeared in three games for the Patriots, recording six combined tackles. On December 31, 2015, Hill was claimed off waivers by the St. Louis Rams, where he would eventually find his NFL footing.

Los Angeles Rams Breakthrough (2016–2020)

After joining the Rams late in the 2015 season, Hill became a significant part of the defensive backfield beginning in 2016. On September 25, 2016, he earned his first career start and delivered a season-high 11 solo tackles during a 37-32 victory at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hill continued to see playing time but was briefly released and re-signed to the practice squad in November 2016 following an arrest. He finished the 2016 season with 40 combined tackles and two pass deflections in 12 games with four starts.

The 2017 season saw Hill suspended for the first two games for violating the NFL Substance Abuse Policy. Despite the setback, he worked his way into the rotation and started the final three games of the regular season plus the wild card loss to the Atlanta Falcons, filling in for the injured Kayvon Webster. In 2019, Hill re-signed with the Rams on a two-year deal and became a full-time starter, recording his first career sack and interception in a Week 11 win against the Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football.

The 2020 season proved to be Hill’s most impactful. He led the NFL with four defensive touchdowns, including interception returns for touchdowns against the Arizona Cardinals twice and a fumble recovery touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers. Hill’s ability to create turnovers and score made him one of the most dangerous defensive backs in the league that season, establishing him as a core piece of the Rams defense.

Cleveland Browns Era (2021–2022)

On March 22, 2021, Hill signed a four-year, $24 million contract with the Cleveland Browns, joining his fourth NFL team. He was expected to provide veteran leadership and playmaking ability to the Browns secondary. However, his tenure in Cleveland was short-lived. On April 30, 2022, the Browns traded Hill back to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Hill’s second stint with the Rams began with injury trouble, as he was placed on injured reserve on September 20, 2022, after suffering a groin injury in Week 2. He was designated to return from injured reserve on October 24 and activated for Week 8. Hill finished the 2022 season with 67 tackles and one interception in 12 starts, demonstrating resilience in returning from injury.

Carolina Panthers (2023–2024)

Hill signed with the Carolina Panthers on August 20, 2023, bringing his experience to a young Panthers secondary. He played in 16 games with three starts, recording 48 tackles, one forced fumble, and a 61-yard interception return for a touchdown. On March 13, 2024, Hill signed a one-year contract extension with the Panthers, signaling the team’s interest in retaining his veteran presence for the 2024 season.

However, Hill’s 2024 season with Carolina was cut short. In six games with two starts, he logged 32 combined tackles before being released by the Panthers on October 18, 2024. This move marked the end of his tenure with the Panthers after just one full season and part of another.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2024)

Following his release from Carolina, Hill was signed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad on October 30, 2024. He was promoted to the active roster on November 18, 2024, joining his sixth NFL franchise. Hill provided depth and experience to the Buccaneers secondary during the final stretch of the 2024 season, continuing his journeyman career in the NFL.

Playing Style and Strengths

Troy Hill is known for his physical and aggressive style of play, particularly in press coverage situations. Throughout his career, he demonstrated exceptional ball skills and the ability to create turnovers, as evidenced by his four defensive touchdowns in 2020. Hill showed versatility in playing multiple coverage roles and contributed effectively both as a starter and nickel cornerback. His instincts for finding the football and making plays in the backfield set him apart throughout his NFL career.

Notable Events and Milestones

Hill’s most notable season came in 2020 when he led the NFL with four defensive touchdowns and earned recognition as the league’s defensive touchdowns leader. He recorded multiple interception return touchdowns in a single season, including two against the Arizona Cardinals. Hill also appeared in Super Bowl LIII with the Rams during the 2018 season, though the team fell to the New England Patriots. His journey from an undrafted free agent to a reliable NFL starter represents one of his most significant career achievements.

Troy Hill Career Statistics

Over his 10 NFL seasons, Troy Hill accumulated impressive statistics across six teams. His career totals include 414 combined tackles, 3 sacks, 41 pass deflections, 9 interceptions, and 4 defensive touchdowns.

NFL Career Highlights

Hill’s 2020 season stands out as his most productive, as he led the NFL with four defensive touchdowns and was recognized as the league leader in that category. His ability to score from the cornerback position was rare and valuable to the Rams defense that season. Prior to his NFL career, Hill earned Second-team All-Pac-12 Conference honors in 2014 after starting all 14 games at Oregon and ranking second in the conference in passes defended.

Career Totals

Throughout his professional career, Hill appeared in 142 NFL games with 71 starts, proving to be a durable and reliable player at the cornerback position. His 9 career interceptions and 41 pass deflections demonstrate his consistent ability to make plays on the ball. Hill’s 4 career defensive touchdowns rank among the highest for cornerbacks during his era, with the 2020 season accounting for all four of those scores.

Troy Hill Family

Family Background and Football Lineage

Troy Hill grew up in Ventura, California, where he attended St. Bonaventure High School. His connection to St. Bonaventure runs deep, as he would later return to his alma mater to begin his coaching career. Hill pursued a degree in social science while playing at the University of Oregon.

Personal Life

On November 19, 2016, while playing for the Los Angeles Rams, Hill was arrested by California Highway Patrol for suspicion of driving under the influence. Hill was driving on U.S. Route 101 in his white Mercedes-Benz just before 8 a.m. when he swerved into a semi-trailer truck. California Highway Patrol responded and arrested Hill after noticing signs of intoxication and performing a field sobriety test. He was taken to the Los Angeles Police Department Van Nuys station, booked, processed, and released after posting $15,000 bail. This incident occurred during Hill’s third season with the Rams.

2025 Season Performance

Entering 2025, Troy Hill embarks on a new chapter in his football career as the head football coach at St. Bonaventure High School, his alma mater in Ventura, California. Hill was hired for this position on May 13, 2025, marking his transition from professional player to coach. This move brings him full circle, returning to the school where he first made his mark as a high school athlete in the late 2000s.

As a first-time head coach at the high school level, Hill brings a wealth of professional experience to St. Bonaventure. His decade of NFL play, including time with multiple organizations, provides him with unique perspectives on defensive schemes, player development, and the mental aspects of competitive football. Hill’s familiarity with the school’s culture and expectations should help him connect with players and integrate smoothly into the program.

The outlook for Hill’s coaching debut is promising. His reputation as a physical defender and his understanding of what it takes to succeed at the highest levels of football give him credibility with student-athletes. St. Bonaventure gains a coach who knows what excellence looks like and can mentor young players aspiring to play at the collegiate and professional levels. This coaching opportunity represents Hill’s next impact on football, shifting from on-field performance to developing the next generation of players.