BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Very little has gone right for the Lehigh Mountain Hawks this season. Not only did they go 0-3 in spring football but are 0-5 and have yet to score a touchdown this season. They have been outscored by an unfathomable 174-9.

Looking at the statistics, there is not much positive to point out. But sometimes one has to look beyond the numbers to see the diamond in the rough. One player who has immense skills but has been underutilized due to overall lack of talent surrounding him is running back Zaythan Hill.

Growing up in Southern Pines, North Carolina, Hill attended Pinecrest High School. Not only was Hill an all-conference selection and first-team offense, but he was also a state qualifier in track and an honor roll student.

Hill made his mark quickly on the football field for Lehigh. On Oct. 19, 2019, Hill scampered 94 yards for a touchdown against Fordham, breaking the record for longest touchdown run in league history. His efforts earned Patriot League Rookie of the Week.

Not unfamiliar with long touchdown runs, Hill also had a 94-yarder at Pinecrest while serving as captain of the football team. Hard work pays off and Hill knows that doing drills day and day in hard practices pays off in the long run. Hill noted that there is no room for putting in the effort every day in practice and not performing come game day. Hill finished his freshman season with 396 yards rushing on 55 carries and five touchdowns.

An interesting thing about Hill’s success on the gridiron is that football was not his favorite sport as a kid. A great basketball enthusiast, Hill had no interest in football until a teacher suggested he join a youth team. From that moment on, Hill loved the game and how it brought the entire community together at the high school level.

Hill credits his mother for where he is today. She was a basketball and track star growing up. During his high school days, she attended every one of his games and encouraged him to broaden his horizons beyond North Carolina. Taking heed to his mother’s advice, Hill made his way to Pennsylvania and the Lehigh University campus, where he is an Arts and Sciences major.

With no football in 2020 due to COVID-19, Hill played in all three spring football games, running for a modest 65 yards on 26 carries with a season-best 30 yards against Lafayette. In five games this season, Hill has carried the ball 27 times for 84 yards with a long of 24 yards. With Lehigh so far behind and having to rely on the passing game, Hill has yet to show his full potential.

Hill will continue to work hard, and the results will show on the field as the Mountain Hawks gradually improve as a unit.  Hill chose to come to Lehigh because he loved the campus, environment and relationships with his teammates.

Expect big things from Hill before his time in Bethlehem is over.

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