Pitt safety Brandon Hill opts out of Sun Bowl to prepare for 2023 NFL Draft

Strong safety Brandon Hill, who has been a major element in Pitt’s success on defense since replacing Paris Ford at midseason in 2020, decided to opt out of the Sun Bowl to prepare for the NFL Draft.

Hill, who played four seasons at Pitt, made the announcement on his Twitter account. “It’s time for this dream of mine to become true,” he wrote.

Thank you Pittsburgh!???????? pic.twitter.com/7sbfOLylYy

— Brandon Hill (@brandonhill_6) December 17, 2022

With Hill’s opt-out, Pitt faces the reality of confronting UCLA in the Sun Bowl without its starting strong safety and All-America defensive tackle Calijah Kancey, who won’t play because of an injury.

Also, defensive end Habakkuk Baldonado and linebacker SirVocea Dennis have accepted invitations to postseason all-star games, indicating they won’t be back in 2023. They have not made a definitive statement about their possible participation in the Sun Bowl.

Hill made his biggest splash this season in the fourth quarter of the Duke game when he returned a fumble 30 yards for a touchdown. The score gave the Panthers a 28-14 lead in a game they eventually won 28-26.

Hill was second on the team in tackles this season with 67, and he also contributed two pass breakups and a half of a TFL.

After playing in four games as a freshman in 2019 and preserving a redshirt, Hill was a participant in 10 games the next season, starting against Florida State and the finale at Georgia Tech. In his first collegiate start at Florida State, he returned an interception 50 yards for a touchdown, added a game-high eight tackles and forced fumble and later was named ACC Defensive Back of the Week.

Over the past two seasons, he has started 25 of 26 games while recording 148 tackles, eight pass breakups, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

He was named second-team All-ACC in 2021 and received honorable mention recognition this season.

Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi appeared to prepare for Hill’s departure when he recruited and received a verbal commitment from former Peters Township player Donovan McMillon, who is transferring from Florida.

Also, redshirt freshman Javon McIntrye and sophomore P.J. O’Brien earned playing time at safety this season behind Hill and redshirt senior free safety Erick Hallett, who also could decide to declare for the NFL Draft.