Decision day for four-star edge Justin Hill who says he “figured it out in the last 24 hours”

It’s decision day for Cincinnati (Ohio) Winton Woods On300 edge rusher Justin Hill who also turns 17-years old.

The blue-chipper will declare from his high school gymnasium this afternoon at 1pm (EST) and it can be watched on the On3 YouTube Channel.

Ohio State may be the On3 RPM favorite, but Alabama continues to lurk for the On3 Industry’s No. 48 overall prospect in the 2025 class. Hill says Oregon is also in the thick of it as well.

“It was down to Alabama and Ohio State,” Hill told On3 the morning of his decision. “After that OV to Oregon (the weekend of June 21) they came in.

“It was extremely close.”

The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Hill said he does know what he’ll announce this afternoon.

“I figured it out in the last 24 hours,” Hill said. “I haven’t told the whole coaching staff. I told my brother. I haven’t told my parents or anything.”

Everyone will know soon.

Tabbed by the On3 Industry as the nation’s No. 6 edge rusher, Hill talked about what he’s looking for in a school.”

“Really just relationships,” Hill said. “Me seeing myself playing at that place. Overall development as a man and a player. I feel like I got the home vibe at every one of those schools. It was that development piece, me going into that next level.”

Ohio State grabbed the momentum early in the summer

The pulse said Alabama led heading into the summer official visits. Ohio State claimed the momentum coming out of their opportunity the weekend of May 31.

“Probably my best visit yet,” Hill said coming out of the trip.

“I feel like all my boxes got filled and I don’t have any question marks with Ohio State. I feel like they rolled the carpet out and gave me everything they have to offer.

“Obviously in my recruitment people go he’s an Ohio kid, an Ohio lock. I like to think past that and I’m not really feeding into that but there are so many benefits of being an Ohio kid, going to Ohio State and being alumni. The life after football and great resources. For example, getting an engineering degree and you want to minor in real-estate, Columbus is a great city to go after that.”

Hill felt at home around the program.

“Last not but not least the football aspect,” he stated. “I’m one of the more versatile kids being able to rush the ball and play the linebacker position and pass rush. I’m getting a lot of coaches there 24-7 I can learn from including one of the best defensive line coaches Larry Johnson. Going from him to Coach (James) Laurinaitis who’s done it for so long at the highest level and been a captain and actually played at Ohio State and really dominated. Those people can put me in position to make plays. Coach (Jim) Knowles with the JACK position giving me freelance to ball out. Even with Coach (Tim) Walton. That’s my dawg. I’m not a DB but he’s always coaching me up. We have that type of relationship.”

Alabama clawed back two weekends later with their official visit

Hill was back in Tuscaloosa the weekend of June 14. He has Alabama fans in his family as well.

“I love the campus and that was all great. Really bonded with the staff. Hanging out with the players getting that connection with the guys. They accept me in that role and part of that team.”

Hill spent a lot of time with head coach Kalen DeBoer, defensive coordinator Kane Wommack, potential position coaches Christian Robinson and Freddie Roach along with Courtney Morgan, Eron Hodges who was basically his host and student assistant Jaden Smith among others. Robinson has been the point on this recruitment.

Hill felt the love.

“They all gel together,” Hill said. “I feel like it was immediate. When I came earlier in the spring, I kind of feel I liked them more than the old staff. Obviously Coach Saban is on the old staff but I feel like he still plays a part in the new staff. I feel like they’re very well-rounded for sure.

“Obviously they’re the standard when it comes to college football,” Hill said. “They have been for awhile. I’ve always liked the school and how they’re ran. I fell in love with how the campus is, how calm it is, how they play football. How the staff is open. I came down for the spring game and I was welcomed by the fans. Kids were asking me for autographs and it was great to feel welcomed.”

Oregon made its case two weekends ago

Hill got a chance to visit Eugene a few times during his process and Dan Lanning is the head coach recruiting him the hardest.

“The visit was great,” Hill said. “I had a phenomenal overall time in Eugene. What excites me is probably the chance to be an extremely dominant defensive player behind phenomenal coaches that will pour into me 24/7 from Lanning, Lupoi and B-Mike and I feel like my family feels extremely comfortable for me at Oregon. It’s a great staff, super genuine.”

Final thoughts

After thinking Ohio State had the small advantage heading into the final week, the intel is maybe starting to favor Alabama on decision day. We’ll see what happens soon.

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