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The Backstory: Despite Hill's stellar play, his journey to the top wasn't smooth. ASU kicked him out of school for making bad decisions, per AZ Central.com. During the trials and tribulations, Hill used football as an escape method to outside problems. In addition, Hill also starred on the Sun Devils baseball and track teams, showcasing world-class athleticism.
The Player: J.D. Hill (1967-1970)
Hill played on the football team in 1967, 1968 and in 1970, while taking 1969 off to focus on track and field. As for baseball, Hill's sole appearances on the diamond took place in 1968. No male athlete has lettered in three different sports since Hill.
Among the three sports, Hill was best on the gridiron. Coach Frank Kush used Hill only on special teams during his freshman year. Hill hauled in 22 punts and turned them into 222 yards and one touchdown, averaging 10.05 yards per attempt.
After a disappointing sophomore season, Hill stepped away from the field, but he came back one year later better than ever. Hill earned the legendary status in 1970, posting 61 receptions, 1,009 yards and 11 touchdowns. The lethal outside threat helped catapult ASU to an undefeated 11-0 record.
Regarding personal accolades, Hill earned First Team All-Western Athletic Conference honors in the historic 1970 campaign. More importantly, the Associated Press and collegian coaches placed Hill on the All-American team. To cap off the impressive resume, Hill became the MVP of the Senior Bowl.
Hill and quarterback Joe Spagnola dominated opposing defenses by posting 36.8 points per contest. The 1968 team ended up at 8-2, and may have done better with Hill burning secondaries.
Who Wears it Now: Redshirt junior running back Marcus Washington currently wears No. 20. Washington played football locally at Desert Vista, located in Phoenix.
In the Pros: It didn't take long for Hill to get his name called at the 1971 draft. The Buffalo Bills selected Hill in the first round at fourth overall. Hill played for the Bills from 1971-1975 and went on to the Detroit Lions from 1976-1977. The former ASU standout made the NFL's pro bowl in 1972.