Nebraska football corner has some solid advice for new Big Ten squads

Tommi Hill had to recalibrate the kind of player he wanted to be for the Nebraska football program after he arrived in Lincoln. Coming from the Pac-12, he was used to one type of play. He’s the first to admit what he did with Arizona State didn’t really transfer over to the Big 10.

It took him a little bit of time, but Hill did indeed adjust. He’s now considered one of the best corners in the conference and the country. He’s also still adjusting and turning himself into a better tackler.

That’s the Nebraska football star is uniquely suited to warn the newest additions to the Big Ten about what to expect in their first season in the league. “The Big Ten is a lot of big bodies,” Hill said, according to the Omaha World-Herald. “The Pac-12, it was big bodies but a lot of seven-on-seven football.”

Nebraska football corner has advice for new Big Ten teams

Hill talked about how he learned that almost immediately after arriving in Lincoln. He still shakes his head, recalling the first big hit he took in practice from 6-foot-6, 255-pound tight end Thomas Fidone. 

He had never had he played so much run coverage as that season. It’s one of the reasons he’s still reshaping himself this fall. He knows that he can’t simply be a guy who goes out in coverage the way he might have been able to do so in the Pac-12.

He thinks that Oregon, Washington, USC and UCLA might be in for a rude awakening. Considering that the Ducks, at the very least are expected to challenge for the Big Ten title, it’s going to be interesting.

There’s been talk from some of those Pac-12 teams that makes you think Hill is right. They may not know what they should really expect yet. Lots of “the Big Ten will have to adjust to us.” 

Ask Scott Frost if the conference is the one that needs to make the adjustments. Ask UCF or Cincinnati over in the Big 12 how hard it is to move from one conference to another and still play the kind of football you’re known for. 

Tommi Hill will get to help offer up some lessons to two of the new entries, in back-to-back games. The Nebraska football team plays UCLA on November 2 and then USC on November 16. Here’s hoping the two newbies haven’t learned their lesson at that point.