Julian Hill

Tight End · Campbell

The first Campbell player to ever make an NFL roster, Julian Hill built a steady three-year run in Miami before signing with New England.

Julian Hill's path from FCS program Campbell to a three-year contract in New England is a genuine underdog story. He spent his first three NFL seasons with the Miami Dolphins after going undrafted, gradually growing his role in the passing game before signing with the Patriots in 2026.

★ First Campbell University player to make an NFL roster

★ Multiple All-Big South Conference selections

★ Career-high 15 receptions in 2025 with Miami

Path to the league

Hill played tight end at Campbell from 2018 to 2022, an FCS program that had never produced an NFL player before him. He finished his college career with 85 catches for 1,218 yards and seven touchdowns and earned multiple All-Big South Conference selections. He went undrafted in 2023 and signed with the Miami Dolphins, making the team's final roster as a rookie and becoming the first Campbell alum to reach the NFL.

Career highlights

Hill spent three seasons with Miami, gradually increasing his role each year: 6 receptions for 48 yards as a rookie in 2023, 12 catches for 100 yards in 2024, and 15 catches for 140 yards in 2025. Over that span he totaled 33 receptions for 288 yards across 45 regular-season games.

2025 season recap

Hill posted the best statistical season of his career in 2025 with Miami, catching 15 passes for 140 yards. Miami did not tender him as a restricted free agent afterward, and he signed a three-year contract with the New England Patriots in March 2026.