by LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
@LonnPhillips
On the back of a season where he learned his trade through increased playing time, even receiving starts at varying positions (including left tackle), Xavier "Scooter" Hill was trusted with extensive reps this spring and stands out along Coach Brad Davis' trench.
Competing for LSU's left guard job, Scooter is also blessed with the ability to play multiple spots, including center; however....heading into a year of intense competition along the Tigers' offensive front, can he lock in a home base?
Last season, Hill experienced the most reps of his career and he responded during a campaign filled with adversity:
Publicly (and unfairly) criticized by Coach O at one point, playing out of position throughout LSU's lost year, 2021 was tough for the entire O-Line unit...and despite promising moments, the younger Hill wasn't spared; appearing in just 3 games including 2 starts, the meager playing time followed a freshman year with only a single appearance, during a blowout vs South Carolina.
Regardless, his 2021 experiences were invaluable reps, facing constant adverse situations. While left out on an island at left tackle, an unfamiliar position, against elite SEC defenses, Scooter was forced to adapt & battle through all manner of ridiculous scenarios; Against all odds, with Hill at every disadvantage, he was still considered among LSU's promising young offensive linemen.
But if 2020 will be remembered as freshman spectatorship while 2021 became a test of wills (both on & off the field), 2022 soon showcased the versatile Hill:
Through LSU's 2022 Spring practices, Scooter earned opportunities thanks to gritty hard work & aggressive physicality up front, playing with both the 1st & 2nd string OL at his customary left guard spot, orchestrating smothering blocks along the interior or showcasing strong movement when pulling or executing unconventional blocking schemes;
As fall camp nears, you would have to say Scooter isn't just one of LSU's hungriest and more well-rounded O-linemen, he's also excelling academically & as an O-Line Room leader; Whether or not he's able to start for Coach Brad Davis' O-Line or overcome transfer Tre'Mond Shorts or Marlon Martinez (among other challengers), Hill is likely to have a solid year.
by LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
@LonnPhillips
Copyright 2022 Uninterrupted Writings Inc
Another potentially dynamic player if placed in the right position and flanked by quality talent.