PHOENIX, Ariz. — Things have come full circle for Michael Hill. As his career nears its conclusion, Hill is getting ready to play against the school he grew up five minutes from.

A native of Pendleton, S.C., Hill received his first scholarship offer from Clemson back in high school. The four-star prospect was expected to attend the school, but a dream offer from the Buckeyes pulled him away from home.

Hill committed to Ohio State in June 2012, and four years later, the senior starting defensive tackle is set to face his hometown team in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Fiesta Bowl.

“It’s a little bit more special because the team we’re playing is close to my hometown,” Hill said during Thursday’s Fiesta Bowl Media Day.

Clemson was one of Hill’s top three favorite schools during his recruiting process. But he grew up a fan of the Buckeyes, and that was too much for the Tigers to overcome.

“I actually wanted to go there,” Hill said of Clemson. “But growing up, Ohio State was my favorite school, and I never would have thought that I would ever get an offer from them because I was from the south and I heard Ohio State really doesn’t recruit from South Carolina.

“But they offered me, and me and my coach and my dad took an unofficial visit up to Ohio State, and I just fell in love with the players, the culture of the team and everything. I just fell in love with everything about the school.”

Initially, Hill was hesitant on the idea of leaving his family and friends for a school over eight hours away from Pendleton. However, advice from his dad helped him follow his heart.

 “At first, I didn’t want to go far away from home because I didn’t want to be away from home,” Hill said, “but my dad always told me to do what you want to do son, and that’s what I did.”

It turned out to be a good decision for Hill, a two-year letterman who won a national championship with the Buckeyes in 2014 and is in position to finish his career with another title.

“I love this university,” Hill said. “I’m about to graduate next semester and get a degree and everything. So, I think it worked out great.”

When Hill went back home for Christmas, his friends playfully made it clear which team they are going to be pulling for on New Year’s Eve.

But they are cheering for Hill, too, the hometown kid who is living his dream.

“My friends from high school were giving me a hard time about how we were going to lose,” Hill said, smiling. “They’re rooting for me, but they hope Clemson wins, so this game is a little bit more special.”