BIOGRAPHY: Two-year starter and All-Conference selection who totaled 242/1132/16 last season. Missed the 2006 campaign with a torn Achilles. Posted career-high numbers of 229/1322/12 as a junior in 2005.
POSITIVES: Strong interior ball-carrier who may be tried at fullback. Patient, waits for blocks to develop, and finds running lanes. Keeps his feet moving on contact, breaks several tackles during a single carry, and tough to bring down. Effectively picks up blocking assignments and will stop defenders on the blitz.
NEGATIVES: Possesses marginal speed and quickness. Loses momentum when he changes direction and more of a straight-line runner.
ANALYSIS: Hilliard is a nice-sized ball-carrier who competes hard and does the little things well. Strong at the point, he lacks the speed and creativity to be a feature runner, yet he offers possibilities as a short-yardage specialist and could develop into a lead blocker.