Hill Sets Tone, Records In MSU Secondary
10/25/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 25, 2000
By Colleen Tvorik
Sports Information Student Assistant
When Renaldo Hill isn't chasing wide receivers, the 5-foot-11, 178-pound senior cornerback has another task at hand - one he is taking very seriously.
Hill was selected along with senior offensive guard Shaun Mason and junior linebacker Josh Thornhill as one of Michigan State's tri-captains.
"It's an honor to be selected as a captain by my peers," said Hill. "It shows that everybody on this team respects me and they expect me to lead them to a Big Ten championship."
Hill, a preseason first-team All-Big Ten selection by The Sporting News, Street & Smith's and Lindy's, says he doesn't necessarily feel more pressure as a team captain, but it has raised his expectations for himself.
"I just expect to do it all," Hill said. "I expect to lead these guys and get them pumped up for the game, because that's the job I accepted - being a senior on this team and a leader."
Hill credits much of what he learned about leadership and inspiration last season to ex-Spartan strong safety Aric Morris and cornerback Amp Campbell. The Tennessee Titans selected Morris in fifth round of the NFL Draft last spring. Campbell has remained on campus and is employed by the Michigan State academic support staff as director of player development.
"Those were two great leaders," said Hill. "Aric was a really emotional guy and Amp -- just his appearance on the field would feed off on you."
Just as Hill was taken under the wing of Morris and Campbell in the past, this season he has become a big brother to the younger players.
"I'm sure that a lot of guys look up to me as a big brother and, if they have anything to ask me, they can come to me at any time of the day and I am there for them," Hill said. "That's the same on the field. I am going to be encouraging to them and try to motivate each one of them. That's something that Amp and Aric did that I learned from them. I want to be able to give that to the other players so that we can be successful on defense."
Another ex-Spartan cornerback who Hill looks to for inspiration is his older brother, Ray. Ray finished second on MSU's all-time list with 25 passes broken up and currently plays for the Miami Dolphins.
"For him, it's not a competition between the two of us, but it's a competition for me to try and exceed everything he's done in college and the pros," said Hill with a grin. "I want to exceed him on that level, too."
Although Renaldo is trying to top his brother's records, he appreciates the support and encouragement that Ray provides.
"He tells me that I am way, way better than he was at this time," Hill said. "That's feels kind of good coming from him because that's my big brother - my hero. He'll be here for homecoming, so that'll be a real motivator for me."
Renaldo says he usually talks to Ray at least three times a week. According to the younger Hill, the conversation never really centers on strategies because Ray expects him to go out, defend the receiver and get the job done.
"We really just ask each other how each other's week has been going, if we expect to play and if I am healthy and taking care of my injuries," Renaldo said, referring to the sprained right knee he suffered earlier this season against Notre Dame.
When Hill leaves Michigan State, he would like fans to remember him as "a player who always gave 100 percent on the field and was a great guy off of the field."
Because he knows that football might not always be a career option, Hill says he's got a vision for putting his merchandise management major to good use.
"If football is ever not there, I want to be a buyer for Hudson's or Nieman Marcus or maybe even work with the auto industry," Hill said.
With his combination of skill, leadership qualities and mentoring from his older brother, Renaldo Hill may have to wait until his NFL career is over to put his degree to use.