TEMPE, Ariz.- One person you couldn't miss this spring during ASU's practices was Christian Hill.
He's a giant on the field, and he truly improved each day according to head coach Todd Graham.
Now to fully understand who Hill is, you have to shake his hand first. To say his handshake is firm would be an understatement.
"Honestly it shows character," said the defensive lineman.
A mindset Hill learned back in high school, when he wasn't exactly the 6'6'', 265-pound monster he is now.
After high school, football wasn't Hill's main concern. He wanted to play for a different team, the U.S. Air Force.
"I wasn't accustomed to the discipline and everything like that so they had to slowly structure to get me the discipline and getting a start for life," said Hill. "I feel like those moments in time have made my mindset, have made me who I am today."
Hill spent four years traveling the world, but the dream of playing football was never far from his mind. Then Hill heard about the palace chase program, which allows active duty airmen to transfer to the reserves, become part time but double up on his commitment.
It means Hill could be called to serve at any time, but he isn't worried.
"I know everything is meant for a reason," said Hill.
His military door remains open, but now he had the opportunity to play football at Glendale Community College, but there was one problem though, it had been years and years since Hill had stepped on a football field.
"Just give great effort and tackle that person, that's all I knew," joked Hill. "All the coach would say is go tackle the quarterback. I'll let you lineup wherever you want to be, just go tackle the quarterback."
Hill became pretty good at that quickly, becoming the number one junior college strong side defensive lineman in the country.
Todd Graham and ASU quickly took notice.
Despite Hill only having one season of competitive football under his belt, ASU offered Hill a scholarship and he accepted, committing to play for Graham.
This spring, Hill suited up for the Sun Devils during spring practices, and he no doubt can rush the QB, but there is certainly still a learning curve.
"Me naturally, I just want to come off the edge and get the quarterback," said Hill. "When we start working run defense, I'm lost, because there's a lot of things you need to key on."
Hill is a constant sponge on the field, he's last off everyday because he doesn't want to waste a moment on the gridiron.
"Moments when I got to my job and put my uniform on, I wouldn't think, two or three years later, hey you're going to be playing division one football," said Hill.
Hill says Pat Tillman's legacy at Arizona State was a major factor in him committing to play for the Sun Devils.
ASU's new defensive lineman's commitment to serve his country, and now his team, is hard to top.