Manual all-area receiver commits to play college football: 'Always been a dream'

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MaKai Hill will be playing college football.

The Manual senior announced on social media Sunday his commitment to Western Illinois, a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) program based in Macomb. Hill also held an offers from Division-II McKendree University among others.

"Truly blessed for the opportunity to be able to play division 1 football," Hill posted, "always been a dream of mine and finally came true. Thank you to every coach that believed in me and everyone else that been there by my side.

"Extremely grateful for my mom for being there every step of the way and being able to commit on her birthday as well."

During his senior season, the 6-foot-1, 170-pound wide receiver led the Big 12 Conference in receiving yards. He caught 42 passes for 995 yards and seven touchdowns, totally over 1,100 all-purpose yards. Hill was named 2025 Journal Star all-area first team and all-Big 12 Conference first-team as a receiver receiver.

Peoria-area players were on the 2025 Leathernecks roster included Ethan Ladd (Macomb) and Payne Miller (Princeton).

Western Illinois finished 4-8 and 3-5 in Ohio Valley/Big South play during the 2025 season. The Leathernecks will open their 2026 campaign at home against Northwestern (Iowa) College on Aug. 27.

Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Manual's MaKai Hill commits to Western Illinois college football; stats

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