Calvin Hill is entering his fourth season as a member of Texas State football as the Bobcats prep for the upcoming 2022 campaign. The 5-foot-7, 185-pound running back out of Baytown, Texas by way of Ross Sterling High School will enter his redshirt-sophomore season having been named a preseason All-Sun Belt Fourth Team selection by Athlon Sports.

Over the last two seasons, Hill has led the Bobcats in at least one offensive statistical category whether it be rushing yards (714 in 2021) or rushing touchdowns (5 in 2020).

Following Texas State's first preseason camp practice earlier this week, Hill sat down to answer a few questions:

Question: Is there a professional running back who you try to mold your game after? Past or Present?
Answer: I can kind of like watching smaller (running) backs. I wouldn't say there's just one back that I'd say I try to model my game after. People tell me — when I run — that I remind them of Darren Sproles, because we are near the same height and size. I just like watching backs of my stature. People think that being a small back, there are disadvantages, but watching those smaller backs showing there aren't any disadvantages, it really just helps me — in a mental aspect — of not thinking, like, 'Oh, I'm small, so I can't do anything.' Watching those backs succeed, really just gives me the motivation to prove that I can do it, too.

Q: Do you feel like it's an advantage — being your size — running behind a large offensive line?
A: The defense, they tell sometimes — whenever I'm in the backfield and I just break loose — they just tell me they couldn't see me when I was back there. So, I guess there are some advantages to it.

Q: I'm sure you've done this a lot by now, but can you take me through your 54-yard rushing touchdown (right before halftime) at Coastal Carolina last season.
A: Coming up through the ranks playing running back, people always told me the best thing about me was my vision. I think, on that run right there, the defense was just backed up, so I just wanted to go out there and make a play. There were a few seconds left in the half — we were about to go into halftime — so I wasn't looking at the score or anything. I just wanted to go out there and make a play. I saw the seam open up on the outside and I just ran.

Q: What can fans expect from you this season?
A: A lot of home runs. A lot of big runs. And a lot of me being better than I was last year, so just a lot of improvement. This will be my third season, so I feel the continued improvement from season to season comes from me just having gone out last season, the one before and seeing things that I saw, taking the hits that I took. Now, I'm just in the mindset of knowing what's coming.

Q: The number change. You went from 22 to 11. Is there a specific reason why you did that?
A: Well, my dad was number 11 and he recently passed away. So, when I was coming up playing pee-wee, middle school and high school, I was always number 11. Always. I wanted it when I got here, too, but (Tyler) Vitt had it so I couldn't get it. But once he left, I was able to get it. He told me, once he saw me in it, 'If I had known you looked that good in (11), then I would've given it to you.' I don't think he even knew I was going to move to that number, honestly, but as soon as he saw me in it, he told me to just keep it in good hands.

Q: What does Calvin Hill do pregame?
A: I don't really have a pregame ritual that I do. I just try to make sure I stretch and listen to music to get my mind right. There's not really a certain musician, though. I just put my playlist on shuffle and let it take over. Honestly, I feel most of my pregame rituals are just trying to get me right mentally. I'm ready physically. I know that. I put in the work in the offseason to get ready physically. But, mentally, that's a big aspect. And it's that way for everyone. Once you're locked in physically and mentally, then you can't be stopped.

Hill and the rest of the Texas State football program will open the season at Nevada on Sept. 3 (2:30 pm PT/4:30 pm CT). The home-opening contest for the Bobcats is set for 6 p.m. CT on Sept. 10 against FIU.
 
Season tickets, which start as low as $80 for the entire season, and single-game tickets are available for the entire six-game home schedule at TXST.com/tickets.