MONTGOMERY, Ala. | From a nervous freshman four years ago to a seasoned veteran in 2019, senior safety Joshua Hill and his teammates hit the field at ASU Stadium for the opening of fall camp Thursday morning.

"My freshman year I was nervous," Hill said. "I looked around and saw all the older guys and didn't know what to do and I was looking lost. At the same time, I knew my time was coming. I was watching all the older guys when I first got here."

"I was able to watch and see what they did on every play, and when (or if) they made mistakes. I could correct myself. This year I looked at the freshmen and I wanted to help them get better. My freshman year was different because the vets were still learning."

Hill came from a winning program down at Vigor in Prichard (Ala.), a school known for contending for state championships and sending players to college and the next level. And he looked back on his time in high school that helped to better himself for college football.

"It's just different," he said. "You learn more on your own in college than you do in high school. You are learning how to grow into a man during college, whereas in high school you are still learning the game. My time at Vigor helped me get ready for when I got here."

For Hill, this is the last chance for him on the field with his teammates in fall camp and he has come in focused this week.

"It felt good out there today," the senior said. "I gave everything I had, this was the last first day for me and I had to make it special. Today was about the little things, holding people accountable and everyone getting to the ball. It was more mental than it was physical, just making sure we corrected the little things."

For the last three-plus years, Hill has worked extremely hard to become a leader on and off the field and his statistics speak volumes. He has been among the team leaders in tackles in each of the last two years and has been among the team leaders in interceptions – including recording a pair against Texas Southern at home last season.

This year, he finally saw his name listed among the others from the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) as he was named to the Second Team Preseason Team as a defensive back.

"When I saw my name, I smiled because I knew I worked hard to get there," Hill said. "After about five seconds though I knew it wasn't enough. I want to be first team and have to work hard to get there, I need to do more than I did last year."

Camp continues throughout the next two weeks; however, practices will be closed at ASU Stadium. The Hornets open the 2019 campaign on the road against UAB on Thursday, August 29 in Birmingham's historic Legion Field. Kick is set for 7 pm and the game will be carried by ESPN+, and can be heard on the Hornet Sports Network.

#CampNotes
One of the deepest positions on this year's team is the defensive backfield with the return of Hill. Although the Hornets lost All-Conference safety Kurron Ramsey, the Hornets return starters Romelo Webster, Keenan Isaac and Jeffrey Hill (who missed the last half of the season due to injury) to bolster the defense.

Alabama State has five quarterbacks in camp this year with two new faces. The returning quarterbacks – KHA'Darris Davis, Chris Scott and Darryl Pearson, Jr. – are battling with new faces Ryan Nettles (freshman) and graduate transfer Jett Even.

The Hornets pushed the century mark in players on the turf for the opening of fall camp, including 36 newcomers who were not on the team at this point last season. Some of those 36, however, did report to campus in the spring and participated in spring practice.

Several players made position changes from last fall including Jimmy Ferrell (tight end), Uvakeious McGhee (linebacker), Trevor Goodrum (linebacker), Jaterrius Gulley (defensive line) and Lucky Oyovwi (linebacker).

#2019Tickets
Season and single game tickets are on sale for the 2019 season at ASU Stadium. The Hornets play five games at home during the 2019 campaign including visits from Tuskegee, Kennesaw State, Grambling State, Alcorn State and Prairie View A&M. Several options are available for fans including a Young Alumni package, Group package and Faculty/Staff options.

For more information on purchasing tickets for the upcoming season, visit BamaStateSports.com or call one of two numbers - (334) 229-4551 or (334) 229-8479.

#FollowTheHornets
For complete coverage of Alabama State University football, please follow the Hornets on social media @BamaStateFB (Twitter), /BamaStateSports (Facebook) and @BamaStateSports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Alabama State athletics at BamaStateSports.com.