P.J. Hill
Years played: 2006-2008
Career rushing yards: 3,942
Career rushing touchdowns: 42
Honors/Awards: Second team All-Big Ten (2006), Big Ten freshman of the year (2006)
Notes: Led Big Ten, sixth in NCAA, in rushing yards (1,569) in 2006. Led Big Ten in rushing touchdowns (15) in 2006.
Hill’s Game
We already briefly mentioned the dump truck that Hill was. As a freshman, he burst onto the scene in the Big Ten and led the way to a 12-1 season. Brian Calhoun left a year early for the NFL leaving some to wonder about the production of the backfield, but Hill took care of that concern.
Hill’s best season was his freshman year when he was the primary back, but he was still extremely productive throughout the rest of his career. He handled most of the load as a sophomore too. His junior season saw John Clay come into the mix, but Hill was still able to rumble for over 1,100 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Hill’s best runs are full of broken tackles and defenders bouncing off of him. He rarely went down on first contact. Hill was best between the tackles and was somebody you could trust to pick up five yards every time he touched the ball. His career yards per carry is 5.1.
Hill’s Legacy
Hill’s freshman year was the first of the post-Alavarez era. Bret Bielema took over in 2006 after Alvarez retired and many fans wondered if the quality of play would take a hit because of it. Powerhouse football stuck around in Madison thanks to Hill. The transition from Alvarez to Bielema was almost seamless. The culture successfully stayed intact. Hill was a major part of keeping Wisconsin on the track it was to becoming the program it is today.