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