Julian Hill Bio
Julian Marquez Hill (born July 9, 2000) is an American professional football tight end for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and listed at 114 kilograms, Hill plays a physical, blocking-oriented role in Miami’s offensive scheme. He played college football for the Campbell Fighting Camels and was signed by the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2023, quickly becoming the first Campbell player to make an NFL roster.
A native of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Hill’s professional journey began after a difficult childhood and a serious run of injuries in high school. He transitioned from quarterback to tight end at the collegiate level and earned multiple all-conference honors before reaching the NFL.
Early Life and Background
Hill was born on July 9, 2000, and grew up in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Between the ages of 5 and 10, he experienced a period of homelessness while in the care of his biological mother. At age 10, he was adopted by Paul Schaeffer and Shannon Schaeffer, the couple who became central figures in his upbringing.
His adoptive parents were the first to involve him in organized sports, setting him on the path that would eventually lead to a professional career. That early exposure gave Hill a structured environment and a competitive outlet during his formative years.
Hill attended Pine Forest High School, where he was a multi-sport athlete participating in football, baseball, and basketball. He played quarterback in football and was elevated into a starting role just three games into his freshman year, completing 52 percent of his passes for 927 yards and six touchdowns. His sophomore season ended prematurely after he suffered a torn ACL.
Path to American Football
Hill rebounded as a junior with 1,642 passing yards and 17 passing touchdowns, but he tore his ACL again in the season finale. The second major knee injury forced him to miss his entire senior year of football and caused many college recruiters to lose interest in him as a quarterback prospect.
He recovered in time to play basketball during his senior year, and it was on the basketball court that a coach from the Campbell Fighting Camels noticed him. Campbell, a Division I FCS football program located in Buies Creek, North Carolina, offered him a chance to continue his athletic career.
Hill joined Campbell as a preferred walk-on and transitioned from quarterback to tight end. The position change suited his 6-foot-4 frame and allowed him to use his athleticism in new ways, including as a blocker and a short-area pass catcher.
Julian Hill Career
Early Career (2018-2021)
As a true freshman at Campbell in 2018, Hill played all 11 games and adjusted to his new position. He appeared in 11 games again in 2019, his second season, recording six receptions for 85 yards as he continued his development at tight end.
In the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, Hill posted six catches for 102 yards and earned second-team All-Big South Conference recognition. The following year, he led the Big South with 34 receptions for 367 yards and two touchdowns, earning first-team all-conference honors. In his final collegiate season, he added a third all-conference selection with 38 catches for 659 yards and five touchdowns. He finished his college career with 85 catches for 1,218 yards and seven touchdowns across 48 games, starting the last 26.
NFL Breakthrough with the Miami Dolphins (2023-Present)
After going unselected in the 2023 NFL Draft, Hill was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent. He made Miami’s final roster out of training camp, becoming the first Campbell Fighting Camels player to appear on an NFL roster.
In his rookie season, Hill appeared in 15 games for the Dolphins and caught six passes for 48 yards. His steady blocking and special-teams contributions helped him carve out a role within the offense under the Dolphins’ coaching staff.
Miami Dolphins Era (2023-Present)
Hill returned to the Dolphins for the 2024 season, continuing to develop within Miami’s offensive system. During a Week 3 game against the Seattle Seahawks on September 22, 2024, Hill caught a pass before being tackled by Seattle safety Rayshawn Jenkins, an incident that became a viral talking point among fans and on social media.
Through the early stages of his NFL career, Hill has remained with the Dolphins, who originally signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2023. His role within the team has grown steadily, and he is positioned as a developmental tight end with significant special-teams responsibility.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hill is valued in Miami primarily for his in-line blocking and physical presence at the point of attack. Listed at 6 feet 4 and 114 kilograms, he has the size to match up against defensive ends and the willingness to play through contact. As a receiver, he works mostly underneath and in the red zone, where his frame and catch radius create favorable matchups.
Notable Events and Milestones
Hill’s most notable milestone came when he became the first Campbell Fighting Camels player to make an NFL roster, signing with the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2023. He followed that with a 15-game rookie season and a viral Week 3 moment against Seattle in 2024 that brought him broader public attention.
Julian Hill Career Wins
As a tight end, individual win totals are not a primary statistic, but Hill has accumulated several team-level wins during his time with the Miami Dolphins. His contributions have helped the Dolphins compete in the AFC East across his first two NFL seasons.
Miami Dolphins Highlights
Hill’s first two NFL seasons have included 15 appearances in 2023 and continued involvement in 2024, with his six rookie receptions for 48 yards serving as his primary counting statistics to date. His most memorable in-game moment came on September 22, 2024, against the Seattle Seahawks, when he recorded a reception that drew widespread attention.
Other Wins & Performances
At Campbell, Hill earned three consecutive All-Big South Conference selections from 2020 through 2022, a notable run of postseason recognition for a former preferred walk-on. He also led the Big South in receptions in 2021 with 34 catches, the highest single-season total of his college career.
Julian Hill Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Hill was born and raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina, in a household that went through significant challenges during his early childhood. Between the ages of 5 and 10, he experienced homelessness while under the care of his biological mother, a period that shaped his later drive and resilience.
At age 10, Hill was adopted by Paul Schaeffer and Shannon Schaeffer, the parents who raised him and introduced him to organized sports. They are credited as the first family members to get him involved in athletics, an experience that ultimately pointed him toward a professional football career.
Personal Life
Hill is the son of Paul and Shannon Schaeffer, his adoptive parents. Beyond his family relationships, Hill keeps his personal life largely private, with limited public information available about romantic partnerships or other family details.
2025 Season Performance
Hill is expected to enter the 2025 season continuing his role as a blocking tight end and special-teams contributor for the Miami Dolphins. With two seasons of NFL experience now behind him, he is positioned to compete for an expanded role within Miami’s tight end rotation.
His progress in 2024, including increased visibility through his Week 3 appearance against Seattle, suggests continued development as a pass catcher and run blocker. The Dolphins’ offensive staff will look for Hill to translate his physical tools into more consistent production on offense.
Heading into 2025, Hill’s outlook centers on securing a stable spot on Miami’s active roster and contributing on special teams while pushing for additional offensive snaps. His unique background as a former college quarterback turned NFL tight end gives him a developmental ceiling that the Dolphins’ coaching staff will continue to evaluate throughout the season.