Giants Daily Blitz Blog

College Connection: Florida alums Trattou and Hill once rivals, now teammates again

The state goes on the pinkie. The Super Bowl is showcased on the ring finger. The national championship slips over the middle, while the subsequent conference title holds down the index.

Defensive end Justin Trattou became Lord of the Rings last season, hitting the trifecta and joining the club of high school, college, and professional champions.

The former Don Bosco star could have one more New Jersey championship to bookend the bling. But rival-turned-teammate (and teammate once again) Will Hill and St. Peter’s Prep left his thumb open and ring-less.

It evened out, however, when Trattou won the state title as a senior in 2006 over the Marauders, who beat them the year before. Shortly after, they began the healing process when they both committed to Florida.

But the safety still has a bone to pick.

“We have a little grudge between us,” a smiling Hill said before Friday’s practice. “Because I went to St. Peter’s, he went to Don Bosco. But the Florida aspect brings us together.”

Winning a national championship as teammates with the Gators in 2008 also helps.

“That trumps it,” Hill said. “In high school, he beat me once, I beat him. We got rings, but then we ultimately got a ring together at Florida. So that becomes a little brotherly bond there.”