Craig Bills
Defensive Back #20
Ht/Wt
6'
1"
|
210 lbs.
Class
Senior
Hometown
Provo, 
Utah
Last School
Timpview High School
Roster Years
2009 | 2012-2014


Career Summary

Craig Bills came to BYU rated the No. 3 overall prospect in Utah by Rivals.com. He helped Timpview High School to three straight state championships before becoming a four-time letterman at BYU. He played in 47 career games and started in 27. Bills tallied nearly 200 total tackles and notched 14 pass breakups during his career. He helped BYU to a No. 3 national ranking for total defense in 2012.  As a junior, he registered a career-high 15 tackles against Notre Dame before becoming BYU's second-leading defensive player the same season. He was named to several All-Independent teams as a Cougar and was nominated to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list as a senior. See the season summary tabs below and the recognition and stats tabs for more details. 

Personal

  • Older brothers K.C. (DB, 2003-05) and Kelly (RB, 2006-07) were both former members of the BYU football team and brother Kevan (LB, 2011-present) is on the current Cougar roster
  • Four brothers in law also played football at BYU (QB Taysom Hill 2012-present, LB David Nixon 2003, 06-08, DT Larry Harmer 1993-95, LB Neal Daley 1993-95)
  • Served in the California Ventura Mission (2009-11)
  • Married to Rachel; daughter Emery born in spring 2014

Before BYU

  • Deseret News 2008 Mr. Football recipient as Utahs top player in 4A
  • Three-time first-team All-State selection
  • 2008 All-Valley Football Team MVP
  • Three-year starter at safety for Timpview, helping the Thunderbirds complete back-to-back perfect seasons and 36 consecutive victories and three straight 4A state championships
  • Rated by Rivals.com as No. 10 safety in the nation, No. 2 hardest-hitting safety nationally and No. 3 overall prospect in Utah in 2008 
  • Leader of Thunderbird defense that held opponents to 12 points per game in 2008
  • Had 43 solo tackles among 59 total tackles and four interceptions as a senior
  • As a junior returned two of his three interceptions for touchdowns
  • Totaled six interceptions as a sophomore along with 10 pass deflections and 84 tackles
  • Defensive backs MVP of the 2008 NIKE Camp in Provo

Mission

  • Ventura , California
BYU Hall of Fame

Freshman Year 2009

  • Earned letterman honors as a true freshman
  • Saw action in all 13 games, including a start against Florida State
  • Totaled 23 tackles on the season, including 15 solo
  • Recorded interceptions against Tulane and Wyoming
  • Contributor on special teams
  • Had a season-high six tackles against Florida State
Sophmore Year 2012

  • Earned letterman honors first season back from LDS mission
  • Played in all 13 games and started the last five
  • Posted 47 tackles, forced one fumble and had five pass breakups
  • Recorded four solo tackles at Boise State
  • Had five tackles in BYU's 6-3 win over Utah State
  • Tallied six tackles, two pass breakups and forced a fumble vs. Idaho
  • Had a career-high 10 tackles at San Jose State
  • Six tackles vs. SDSU in the Poinsettia Bowl to go along with two pass breakups, including one in the end zone
Junior Year 2013

  • Named FBS All-Independent Honorable Mention
  • Recorded six tackles and an interception at Virginia
  • Posted seven tackles (six solo) and two pass breakups against Middle Tennessee
  • Against Wisconsin tallied nine tackles, one forced fumble and one pass breakup
  • Set a career-high with 15 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss and a one-handed one interception against Notre Dame
  • Named to the College Sports Madness All-Independent Second Team
  • Phil Steele All-Independent First Team
  • Finished second on the team with 79 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss
  • Tied for first on the team with two interceptions and two fumble recoveries
  • Started 12 games, only missed one due to a concussion
Senior Year 2014

  • Preseason Phil Steele All-Independent First Team
  • Named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List
  • Recorded seven tackles, six solo and a pass breakup against Houston
  • Notched a season- and team-high 10 tackles, while adding one pass breakup and 0.5 tackles for loss in victory over Virginia
  • Tallied eight solo tackles against Utah State
  • Phil Steele Midseason All-Independent Team
  • Earned letterman honors as a senior
  • Played and started in nine games, notching one interception, two pass breakups, 0.5 tackles for loss and was third on the team in total tackles with 51 on the year
  • Named to the College Sports Madness All-Independent Third Team
Graduate Year

Redshirt Year

Medical Redshirt Year



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    Football | Aug, 29

    Hill leads Cougars over Huskies

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    Football | Oct, 04

    Cougars dominate Utah State

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    Football | Aug, 10

    Fall camp continues on Day 8