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VERMILLION, S.D. — The college football career of Cedar Catholic High School graduate Stephen Hillis is coming to a close after the 2023 season.
It’s amazing to think that the former Trojan and now key contributor for the nationally ranked South Dakota Coyotes program is now considering a potential professional career.
He was a first-team linebacker in 2022 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, one of the best in all of Division I. He had 108 total tackles – 61 solo — and this year, with a balanced defense around him, he still contributes well (27 total tackles, 16 solo) for the 9-2 Coyotes. His 2022 numbers were the best in the MVFC that year.
“We’ve just been working hard and competing every day in practice,” Hillis said. “That’s the big thing — to just keep improving, keep getting better. I felt like we’ve done that so far.
“The big thing for me is winning games. Freshmen want to play, sophomores want to start, juniors want stats and seniors just want to win. I felt like I just wanted to win for however many years I’ve been here.”
When he first arrived, Hillis was focused on special teams work.
“I was buried in the depth chart and I just kept my head down, kept working,” Hillis said. “I finally got an opportunity last year and just did my best to make the most of it. I had been behind a guy named Jack Cochran — he plays with the Kansas City Chiefs now, so once he graduated, I kind of stepped in and tried to take his spot. Those are obviously big shoes to fill and I’m just doing the best I can.
“Our defense is getting off the field a lot better this year, so I am playing less snaps. The offense is doing a great job this year controlling the clock, so I have less opportunities, I guess. Our defensive line has taken big steps of improvement. A lot of guys doing a lot of good things up there, making plays up front before the ball even gets to the second level.”
Hillis has enjoyed his time in Vermillion, having met a “lot of great people,” and taking the knowledge from his coaches while experiencing a lot of highs. “I can’t complain,” Hillis said of his time with the USD program.
Hillis added he will try to play in the National Football League after he graduates this year.
“It’s been a dream since I was a kid,” he said. “I want to give that a shot. Then when football is over, I think I might want to be a strength coach of some sorts.”
He admitted he hasn’t paid attention to what the NFL scouts project him as in terms of draft potential.
“There’s undrafted free agents like Jaleel McLaughlin, who plays for the (Denver) Broncos, and he’s from Youngstown State,” Hillis said of his former MVFC rival. “There’s all these other leagues. There are a lot of opportunities.”
