Brandon Hill Bio
Brandon Hill (born September 6, 2000) is an American professional football safety in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Pittsburgh Panthers before being selected by the Houston Texans in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL draft. Hill has also spent time on the practice squad of the Las Vegas Raiders and has continued to pursue a roster spot in the league.
Standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and listed at 195 pounds, Hill is known for his coverage instincts and tackling ability in the secondary. After beginning his NFL career in Houston, he has continued to work toward establishing himself as a consistent presence in a defensive backfield.
Early Life and Background
Brandon Hill was born on September 6, 2000, in Apopka, Florida, where he grew up and developed his early interest in football. He attended Wekiva High School in Apopka, where he played for the school’s football program and began attracting attention from college recruiters.
Coming out of high school, Hill was rated a three-star recruit by recruiting services. His performance at Wekiva earned him significant college interest, and he ultimately chose to play his college football at the University of Pittsburgh, selecting the Panthers from a group of 23 total scholarship offers.
Hill’s upbringing in central Florida, combined with the competition he faced in high school, helped prepare him for the next level of football. The decision to commit to Pittsburgh set the stage for his development as a defensive back at the collegiate level.
Path to American Football
Hill’s path to professional football began with his recruitment to Pittsburgh, where he joined a program with a strong tradition of developing defensive backs. He played in four games during his true freshman season while preserving a redshirt year, allowing him to extend his eligibility while gaining early experience.
As a redshirt freshman, Hill recorded 27 tackles along with two forced fumbles and one interception, showing the playmaking ability that had made him a sought-after recruit. His continued development earned him recognition as a Second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) selection in 2021, when he was a redshirt sophomore.
During his redshirt junior season, Hill tallied 67 tackles and two passes broken up, reinforcing his role as a productive member of the Panthers’ defense. After the regular season, he announced that he would forgo playing in the 2022 Sun Bowl and declared for the 2023 NFL draft, ending his college career to pursue professional opportunities.
Brandon Hill Career
Early Career (2019–2022)
Brandon Hill’s college career at Pittsburgh spanned four seasons from 2019 through 2022, during which he steadily increased his production. After a limited role as a true freshman in 2019, he broke out the following year with 27 tackles, two forced fumbles, and an interception, demonstrating the coverage and run-support skills that would define his game.
His Second-team All-ACC honor in 2021 highlighted his growth into one of the conference’s top defensive backs, and his 67-tackle performance the next season cemented his status as a leader in the Panthers’ secondary. By the end of his redshirt junior year, Hill had established himself as a draft-caliber prospect, leading to his decision to declare early for the 2023 NFL draft.
NFL Draft and Houston Texans (2023–2025)
Hill was selected by the Houston Texans in the seventh round, 248th overall, of the 2023 NFL draft. Shortly after, on August 29, 2023, he was waived by the team and re-signed to the practice squad, beginning his professional career working to earn a roster spot.
On January 22, 2024, Hill signed a reserve/future contract with the Texans, securing his place with the organization heading into the next league year. However, on August 25, 2024, it was announced that he would miss the entirety of the 2024 season after suffering a right knee injury during the team’s preseason finale, a significant setback in his development.
The Texans waived Hill on March 17, 2025, after a failed physical, but he was re-signed to the team’s practice squad on December 16 before being released on December 23. His time in Houston reflected the challenges of establishing a long-term role in the NFL.
Las Vegas Raiders (2025)
On December 30, 2025, Hill was signed to the Las Vegas Raiders’ practice squad, giving him a new opportunity to continue his professional career. His brief stint with the Raiders added another chapter to his ongoing pursuit of an active roster position.
Houston Texans Return (2025–Present)
On January 14, 2026, Hill was re-signed to the Houston Texans practice squad, returning to the organization that had originally drafted him. The move signaled continued confidence in his potential despite the injury setbacks he had faced.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Brandon Hill’s most notable accomplishments is his Second-team All-ACC selection in 2021, which recognized him as one of the top defensive backs in the conference that season. His selection in the 2023 NFL draft marked the realization of a long-held professional goal, even as he faced the challenges of waivers, practice squad movement, and a season-ending knee injury in 2024.
Brandon Hill Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Brandon Hill grew up in Apopka, Florida, where he attended Wekiva High School and developed the football skills that would eventually carry him to the professional level. Details about his immediate family, including parents, siblings, spouse, and children, are not publicly confirmed in available sources.
2025 Season Performance
Brandon Hill’s 2025 season was marked by movement between practice squads and limited active-roster opportunities. After being waived by the Houston Texans on March 17, 2025, following a failed physical, he spent much of the year waiting for his next opportunity, which arrived when he was signed to the Las Vegas Raiders’ practice squad on December 30, 2025.
His brief time with the Raiders was followed by a return to the Houston Texans practice squad on January 14, 2026, suggesting that his performance in Las Vegas was enough to warrant another chance with his original team. The season highlighted both the persistence required to sustain an NFL career and the physical challenges that have shaped Hill’s professional path.
Looking ahead, Hill will look to convert his practice squad opportunities into a more permanent roster role. His experience across two organizations and his ability to return from a serious knee injury position him as a player with continued upside in the league.