Craig Bills Athlete Profile - FTB

Craig Bills

Defensive Back 20

Ht/Wt

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