By Scott Walters
STARKVILLE — Columbus High School rising junior running back Kylin Hill is ready to be a Big Dawg.
At least for a day.
Mississippi State University will host its annual Big Dawg recruiting camp today at Davis Wade Stadium. Hill is looking forward to the exposure.
“This is a chance to get my name out there,” Hill said. “It allows me a chance to show that I can compete with the best of the best. I have been resting my body up for this event. This is a chance to really make a statement and show the college coaches and the other players what I am capable of doing.”
In its seven seasons, the Big Dawg Camp has morphed into one of the premier recruiting tools for Coach Dan Mullen his staff. A year ago, seven Class of 2015 players committed at Big Dawg Camp and all signed. One Class of 2016 players also committed.
“Really, it has turned into the best recruiting camp in the Southeastern Conference,” said Bulldawgs 247 site manager and recruiting analyst Paul Jones. “When you talk one-day camps, this one and the Florida Friday Night Lights camps are the two big ones. What Dan has done to make this a premier event, it is pretty amazing. Even the players that don’t come to State in the end still talk about the experience. It is one of the rare camps that you can mention and everybody is familiar with it.”
The Big Dawg Camp is by invite only. Approximately 100 student-athletes will take part. Other local invitees include Starkville High’s A.J. Brown and Kobe Jones; West Point’s Scott Lashley, New Hope’s Tae-kion Reed, Aberdeen’s Jerrick Orr and Noxubee County’s Jeffery Simmons. Brown and Lashley will not be working out due to injury.
“It means a lot when you get that invite,” Hill said. “I remember the night it popped into my inbox. It was a special feeling. Everybody goes to camps. It means a little more when the coaches at a school think enough of you to invite you specifically to their camp. It really shocked me.”
The recruiting interest is beginning to pick up in the 5-foot-11, 210-pound Hill. MSU and Memphis have shown the most interest. The most recent contact came via letter from Notre Dame.
“The recruiting process is really starting for real now,” Hill said. “I have to really thank Coach (Randal) Montgomery. He has been a great influence and has worked really hard to help me get my name out.”
Hill’s exposure will only intensify after participating in events such as the Big Dawg Camp.
“It’s really huge for the kids,” Jones said. “A lot of schools spread their camps out throughout the summer. This is the rare chance to really line up and compete against the best players in the state and southeast. Some schools have a big one-day event but it is more a social event. They bring the players in and show them a good time and a lot of attention and all that but they don’t really go out on the field and do any drills. That is what makes this camp unique. It is a very long day but they get so much done. The players really have a better understanding of where they stand. The coaches also have a better idea of what they will be getting when they make an offer. Really in all my years of covering recruiting, this is my favorite event each year.”
The camp is open to rising juniors and seniors. There is also an occasional rising sophomore on the guest list. Also for the first time, rising sophomores on the junior college level are also allowed by NCAA rules to attend such an event.
While Hill hopes to help kick-start a potential campaign to become a full-time Bulldog, he also knows the importance of the year ahead. The Falcons look to build on last season’s 4-7 finish. Columbus has also moved back to Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 6A, Region 1, which includes defending state champion South Panola.
“The second season (under Coach Montgomery) should be exciting,” Hill said. “We have a lot of leaders who want to step up. That includes seniors and juniors. A year ago, we had a lot of individuals. This year, it is much more about the team. Hopefully, this year, we play better and can win more games.”
As Hill looks to nail down the top running back spot in the backfield, his growth as a leader is equally important.
“I have opened my mouth more this year and tried to become more vocal,” Hill said. “The other guys are counting on me. We needed more leaders last year. It feels like coach has been here a lot longer than just that one season. Everybody is getting along like family and gelling.”
Many of today’s camp participants will then be on the road to Oxford. Ole Miss will host its Senior High 1-Day Camp on Saturday.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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