Where Did Tyreek Hill Go to College? It’s Not What You Think (Updated 2023)

Tyreek Hill, a wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs, earned a name for himself in the National Football League (NFL) because of his exceptional speed and agility. 

Even though Hill is now a popular name because of his professional football career, he spent years refining his skill in college. 

Tyreek Hill didn’t become a household name upon graduation since he didn’t go to a powerhouse university like Alabama, Clemson, or others.

This, among others, are why people keep asking that “Where Did Tyreek Hill Go to College?”

Who is Tyreek Hill?

Tyreek Hill, also known as “Cheetah” is a wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). 

He was born on March 1, 1994, in Lauderhill, Florida, and is a famous athlete known for his speed and agility. He’s become one of the most exciting and dynamic players in the game despite his relatively modest stature (5’10” and 185 pounds).

Before moving to Oklahoma State University, Hill played collegiate football at Garden City Community College in Kansas. He was picked by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round in 2016 and immediately signed to play for the team. 

Since then, Hill has shown himself as a top-tier wide receiver by winning multiple awards and contributing substantially to the Chiefs’ success. He has been selected numerous times to the Pro Bowl because of his outstanding play, and he was an essential part of the Chiefs’ run to victory in Super Bowl LIV. 

Tyreek Hill’s College History: Tyreek Hill College Years at JUCO

Surprisingly, Tyreek Hill, who is good with the ball, didn’t sign with a prominent college program straight out of high school. In his final year of high school, he received various scholarship offers from universities, including the University of Georgia. However, he could not immediately accept them since his grades were insufficient.

However, Hill decided to continue playing football in college, so he went to Garden City Community College in Garden City, Kansas. 

Junior colleges, commonly known as JUCOs, allow student-athletes to gain experience and refine their talents before transferring to a four-year institution. It is a route for good layers who didn’t attract much interest from more prominent institutions throughout high school.

As a junior for GCCC, Hill ran for 659 yards and five scores. He also caught 32 passes for a total of 532 yards. Hill had a significant effect on the Garden City Community College football program as a student there. 

The scouts saw how fast and agile he was, and he eventually became famous throughout the country. He demonstrated his skills as both a wide receiver and a return specialist, capitalizing on his speed to make remarkable plays.

Tyreek’s College Life In Oklahoma

Several Division I schools showed interest in Hill when he transferred from Garden City Community College. Hill turned down offers from other schools over the next few months, including Alabama, USC, Oklahoma, Texas, and Florida.

Instead, Hill followed in the footsteps of his family by going to college at Oklahoma State University in 2014. He played offense all over the field and even took kickoffs and punts back for the Cowboys.

His contributions as a wide receiver, running back, and return specialist displayed his extraordinary speed, agility, and adaptability. He was given the nickname “Cheetah” because of the spectacular plays he was able to make and his incredible speed.

Hill had a breakthrough season in 2014 for Oklahoma State. He ended up with 1,811 yards in total offense and 12 scores. Due to his spectacular talent, Hill quickly became one of college football’s most talked-about stars.

But Hill’s time in Stillwater didn’t last long. In 2014, he pleaded guilty to domestic violence charges, which meant he had to do probation and therapy. Throughout Hill’s professional life, this episode has been brought up as a reminder of his time in college.

Despite the backlash, Hill’s athletic talent and contributions to the squad were evident. As a player, he was a big reason Oklahoma State had so much success during his tenure there. 

Hill forewent his senior season after his junior year to enter the 2016 NFL Draft. He demonstrated his talent and attracted the attention of NFL scouts throughout his time at Oklahoma State.

Hill’s Final Chance at West Alabama

After leaving Oklahoma, the last college Tyreek Hill went to was West Alabama. In Division II, Hill played as a running back, wide receiver, and returner for the Tigers, and he was unbeatable in the open field. 

The West Alabama coaching staff turned down Hill’s original request to join the team because of the contents of Hill’s domestic abuse police complaint.

After meeting with Hill individually and hearing from Hill’s high school and college coaches and mentors, Gilliland changed his mind. Hill finished his lone season at West Alabama with two touchdowns as an offensive weapon and four more as a returner.

He was one of the most divisive candidates in the 2016 NFL draft, but the Chiefs ultimately decided to take a risk on the problematic speedster in the fifth round. 

After spending three years at the University of West Alabama in NCAA Division I, Hill graduated in 2015. He was one of the most controversial players in the 2016 NFL draft, and it wasn’t until the fifth round that the Chiefs took a chance with him.

Tyreek Hill’s NFL Career

Now that we have looked into what collegeTyreek Hill went to, let’s take a brief look into his NFL journey. Hill was later drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2016 NFL Draft in the fifth round (165th overall). 

He made an immediate impression as one of the league’s brightest young players. He was noticed for his speed and agility, making him an offensive asset for the Chiefs.

Hill had 61 catches for 593 yards and six touchdowns in his debut year which was in 2016. He was also crucial as a return specialist, with three touchdowns on punt returns and one on a kickoff return. 

Because of how well he played, he was chosen for the Pro Bowl and named a First-Team All-Pro return expert. He had 75 catches for 1,183 yards and seven scores in 2017. He was essential to the Chiefs’ offense, which helped them get to the playoffs. 

In September 2019, he added three years and $54 million to his deal. When he returned from his suspension with the Chiefs, he signed an extension to his contract. He was put on leave because he was being investigated for abusing children.

Hill improved dramatically in 2018. He was selected to the Pro Bowl for the second year after catching 87 passes for 1,479 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also had another productive season in 2019. 

Even though he was out for a few games, he still made significant contributions. He caught 58 passes for 860 yards and seven scores, which helped the Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers and win Super Bowl LIV. 

He also played in a second Super Bowl with the Chiefs in 2021, but they lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Although he got off to a great start in 2021-22, he was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list in December. 

Tyreek Hill had 111 passes for 1,239 yards and nine scores, setting a new team record for most catches in a season.

Conclusion: Where Did Tyreek Hill Go to College

Tyreek Hill, a well-known NFL wide receiver, did go to several colleges, which were very important to his sports career and set him up for success in the NFL. He is one of the greatest players in the league because of his exceptional skills and speed.