Tag: Justin Hilliard

Recruiting Update: October 23, 2014

Saline (MI) Saline placekicker Ryan Tice (image via Saline Post)

COMMITMENT
Saline (MI) Saline kicker Ryan Tice committed to Michigan as a preferred walk-on. He’s going to enroll in January, when he will presumably start competing for the jobs that will be vacated by seniors Matt Wile and Will Hagerup.

OFF THE BOARD
Cleveland (OH) Benedictine linebacker Jerome Baker flipped from Florida to Ohio State. I was a bit surprised when he committed to the Gators over the Buckeyes, anyway, so this makes a little sense, especially in light of Florida’s struggles and Ohio State’s success. Meanwhile, Cincinnati (OH) St. Xavier linebacker and Ohio State commit Justin Hilliard is taking another visit to Iowa, where his older brother is a running back. These two things may or may not be related, but Urban Meyer might gain Baker while losing out on Hilliard.

MISCELLANEOUS
Last week I posted a look back at Michigan’s 2007 defensive end recruiting (LINK).

Over on Recruiting Season, I posted a profile of Farmington Hills Harrison DE Khalid Kareem.

Recruiting Update: July 7, 2014

Glen St. Mary (FL) Baker defensive end CeCe Jefferson (#7)

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2015
Glen St. Mary (FL) Baker defensive end CeCe Jefferson was offered by Michigan at some point in the past. He’s a 6’2″, 250 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, and USC, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 5-star, the #1 strongside end, and #4 overall. Michigan apparently offered him a while ago, but it was not made public until recently. Obviously, that does not bode well because Jefferson clearly hasn’t publicized his interest. Meanwhile, he appears ticketed for Florida.

Elkton (MD) Eastern Christian Academy quarterback David Sills decommitted from USC. I can’t help feeling a little badly for Sills, who made national news for committing to the Trojans as a seventh grader when Lane Kiffin offered him. It underlines the uncertainty of early recruiting, but Sills watched two coaching changes at USC, saw current coach Steve Sarkisian grab Ricky Town from Alabama, and now finds himself searching for a lower-tier home, which seems likely to be West Virginia at this point.

OFF THE BOARD
New Lenox (IL) Providence Catholic wide receiver Miles Boykin committed to Notre Dame. Michigan thought they might have a chance after he visited for the spring game and was offered shortly thereafter, but things had been trending toward Notre Dame for a few weeks. The Wolverines ended up finishing third behind the Fighting Irish and Michigan State.

St. Paul (MN) Cretin-Derham Hall defensive end Jashon Cornell committed to Ohio State. I have noted all along that Cornell was overrated as a defensive end, and Michigan’s coaches apparently saw him more as a defensive tackle as he added weight. They were reportedly not pursuing him very hard toward the end of his recruitment, although it likely would not have mattered either way.

Cincinnati (OH) St. Xavier linebacker Justin Hilliard also committed to Ohio State. I wrote a scouting report on Hilliard last November (LINK), and I do think he will be a force to reckon with as a Buckeye. In my opinion, he’s the best prospect to come out of Ohio in the last few years.

Douglasville (GA) Alexander running back Mikell Lands-Davis committed to Georgia Tech. Lands-Davis is a sturdy back with good balance, and I can picture him making a good triple-option fullback for the Yellowjackets.

Dallas (TX) Bishop Dunne wide receiver A.D. Miller committed to Illinois. I considered Miller one of the top three receivers likely to commit to Michigan in the 2015 class, so now the Wolverines are down to two (Brian Cole and Auden Tate) unless they extend more offers.

Orange Park (FL) Oakleaf linebacker Shaquille Quarterman, a 2016 prospect, committed to Miami. His teammate was linebacker Darrion Owens, who also held a Michigan offer and chose Miami in the 2014 class.

Douglas (GA) Coffee tight end Jalen Wilkerson committed to Florida State. Michigan never had much of a chance, and his highlight reel entitled “The Chosen One” made me not want him in Ann Arbor, anyway.

MISCELLANEOUS
I posted a list of players planning to attend the 2014 BBQ at the Big House (LINK).

I also posted a list of participants in Nike’s The Opening (LINK).

Last week on Recruiting Season, I profiled Orchard Lake St. Mary’s linebacker Joshua Ross, Detroit Cass Tech’s Demetric Vance and Donovan Peoples-Jones, Brighton’s Alexx Zielinski, and Traverse City West’s duo of Jacob Cerny and Tommy Roush.

Recruiting Update: June 30, 2014

Nacogdoches (TX) Nacogdoches safety Brandon Jones (image via ETSN)

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2016
Nacogdoches (TX) Nacogdoches safety Brandon Jones was offered by Michigan. He’s a 5’11”, 183 lb. prospect with offers from Baylor, Florida State, LSU, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Stanford, and Texas A&M, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 5-star, the #1 safety, and #23 overall. As a sophomore in 2013, he made 95 tackles, 5 interceptions (1 returned for a touchdown), and 8 pass breakups. He claims a 4.32 forty and is quite a solid tackler, too. Louisiana State, Notre Dame, and Texas A&M appear to be the leaders right now.

Woodberry Forest (VA) Woodberry Forest offensive tackle Clark Yarbrough was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’5″, 255 lb. prospect with offers from Florida, Maryland, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Virginia, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #16 offensive tackle, and the #156 player overall. Yarbrough’s first year of organized football was as a sophomore in 2013, so he’s raw, but he has some very good agility and athleticism for such a big kid.

MISCELLANEOUS
Here’s a list of visitors from this past week (LINK).

Last week on Recruiting Season, I profiled Plymouth’s Michael Jordan, St. John’s linebacker Tanner Motz, Detroit King’s Dontre Boyd, Detroit Cass Tech’s Lavert Hill, and Orchard Lake St. Mary’s K.J. Hamler.

Several Michigan targets will announce their college decisions this week:

• St. Paul (MN) Cretin-Derham defensive end Jashon Cornell will announce his college decision on Wednesday. Michigan stopped recruiting him not long ago because they believe he will grow into a defensive tackle, and they are not interested in taking a 3-tech defensive tackle in the 2015 class. He seems like to end up at Michigan State or Ohio State, with Notre Dame also a possibility.
• Cincinnati (OH) St. Xavier linebacker Justin Hilliard will announce back-to-back with Cornell on ESPN. There’s a good chance that he will pick Ohio State, and if the two of them are doing this in concert, that seems to be the most likely outcome. Again, Notre Dame is also a possibility.
• New Lenox (IL) Providence Catholic wide receiver Miles Boykin is also announcing on Wednesday. His leader has been Notre Dame, so there’s a chance that all three of these guys end up in South Bend.

Visitors: Michigan vs. Ohio State

Joshua Alabi – DT – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Alabi is a 6’5″, 270 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Tennessee, and others. The Volunteers appear to be the early favorite. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, #29 OT, and #270 overall. UPDATE: Alabi will be headed to MSU instead.


Jason Alessi – S – Birmingham (MI) Brother Rice: Alessi is a 6’0″, 170 lb. prospect for 2014 with offers from Air Force, Akron, Harvard, and Yale. He’s committed to Michigan as a lacrosse player but was recently offered a preferred walk-on spot with the Wolverines. (Highlights.)

Trevon Avery – CB – Grand Blanc (MI) Grand Blanc: Avery is a 6’1″, 165 lb. prospect for 2015 with no offers at this time. He’s a 3-star quarterback to Scout. He’s also the younger brother of Michigan senior defensive back Courtney Avery.

Jerome Baker – LB – Cleveland (OH) St. Benedictine: Baker is a 6’1″, 205 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Florida, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Ohio State, and Tennessee, among others. He recently declared Ohio State his clear #1, and it would be a huge surprise if he went anywhere else. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, #6 ATH, and #66 overall. (Highlights.)

Kei Beckham – CB – Trotwood (OH) Trotwood-Madison: Beckham is a 6’0″, 155 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Cincinnati, Illinois, and Kentucky, among others. He’s a former teammate of Michigan freshman defensive back Reon Dawson and linebacker Mike McCray. (Highlights.)

Ian Bunting – TE – Hinsdale (IL) Central: Bunting committed to Michigan in April.

George Campbell – WR – Tarpon Springs (FL) East Lake: Campbell committed to Michigan in August.


Freddy Canteen – WR – Elkton (MD) Eastern Christian Academy: Canteen committed to Michigan in June.


Stefan Claiborne – WR – Clinton Township (MI) Chippewa Valley: Claiborne is a 6’1″, 168 lb. prospect for 2016 with no offers at this time. He also visited Ann Arbor a couple weeks ago for the Nebraska game. (Highlights.)


Brian Cole – WR – Saginaw (MI) Heritage: Cole is a 6’2″, 190 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, and Tennessee, among others. Rumors keep swirling about him going back and forth between favoring Michigan and MSU, so it’s anybody’s guess right now. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, #5 ATH, and #58 overall. (Highlights.)


Mason Cole – OG – Tarpon Springs (FL) East Lake: Cole committed to Michigan back in February.

C.J. Conrad – TE – La Grange (OH) Keystone: Conrad is a 6’5″, 225 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Duke, Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, #8 TE, and #228 overall. As a junior in 2013, he had 59 receptions for 924 yards and 14 touchdowns. (Highlights.)


Jashon Cornell – DE – St. Paul (MN) Cretin-Derham Hall: Cornell is a 6’4″, 245 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from just about everywhere. He’s a 247 Composite 5-star, #1 WDE, and #15 overall. So far he’s the only weakside end Michigan has offered in the class of 2015, and that appears to be purposeful as Michigan pursues him as their #1 guy. Cretin Derham is known for sending guys to Notre Dame, but they’ve had a number of elite recruits in recent years (Michael Floyd, James Onwualu, Seantrel Henderson) so it’s worth keeping up a good relationship. (Highlights.)


Shaun Crawford – CB – Lakewood (OH) St. Edward: Crawford committed to Michigan in August. UPDATE: Crawford can no longer attend the game.


Andrew David – K – Massillon (OH) Washington: David committed to Michigan in June.


Messiah DeWeaver – QB – Trotwood (OH) Trotwood-Madison: DeWeaver is a 6’2″, 180 lb. prospect for 2016 with an offer from Louisville. He has visited Michigan several times and camped in Ann Arbor this past June. He attends the alma mater of current Michigan linebacker Michael McCray. (Highlights.)


David Edwards – QB – Downers Grove (IL) North: Edwards is a 6’6″, 225 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Illinois, Indiana, Syracuse, and Vanderbilt. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, #42 ATH, and #348 overall. Michigan is looking at him partially as a quarterback, but he also might be a tight end, and I think that’s the position where Edwards would be more likely to find a slot from Michigan, in my opinion. (Highlights.)


Brendan Ferns – LB – St. Clairsville (OH) St. Clairsville: Ferns is a 6’3″, 208 lb. prospect for 2016 with no offers at this time. He’s the younger brother of 2014 Michigan linebacker commit Michael Ferns.

Michael Ferns III – LB – St. Clairsville (OH) St. Clairsville: Ferns committed to Michigan in August of last year.


Jimmy Fitzgerald – QB – Champaign (IL) Centennial: Fitzgerald is a 6’3″, 205 lb. prospect for 2015 with a lone FBS offer from Illinois. As a sophomore in 2012, he completed 96/195 passes for 1,300 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, #26 pro-style QB, and #529 overall. Fitzgerald is one of the handful of quarterbacks that have been in touch with Michigan’s coaching staff.


Desmond Fitzpatrick – WR – Farmington (MI) Farmington: Fitzpatrick is a 6’0″, 170 lb. prospect for 2016 with offers from Indiana, Ohio, and Toledo. He has visited Michigan a couple times this season and also camped in Ann Arbor last June. (Highlights.)

Zach Gentry – QB – Albuquerque (NM) Eldorado: Gentry is a 6’6″, 215 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Louisville, New Mexico, New Mexico State, and San Diego State.

Lawrence Gordon – DE – Saginaw (MI) Arthur Hill: Gordon is a 6’5″, 230 lb. prospect for 2016 with no offers at this time. He has visited Michigan a couple times and appears to be one of the top few in-state prospects for his class.

Dele Harding – LB – Elkton (MD) Eastern Christian Academy: Harding is a 6’1″, 218 lb. prospect for 2016 with offers from UMass, Tennessee, and USC. He’s a teammate of 2014 Michigan commits Freddy Canteen and Brandon Watson. He visited Ann Arbor with his teammates back in July and genuinely seemed interested in Michigan at the time those two committed, partly because Michigan’s coaches intimated to him that he would be offered down the road but felt it was too early to offer many 2016 guys.


Damien Harris – RB – Berea (KY) Madison Southern: Harris committed to Michigan in August. He is having an outstanding junior season and was recently ranked the #17 overall prospect in his class by ESPN.


Drake Harris – WR – Grand Rapids (MI) Christian: Harris committed to Michigan in April. He did not play during his senior season due to a serious hamstring injury suffered in the preseason.

Daelin Hayes – LB – Orchard Lake (MI) St. Mary’s: Hayes is a 6’2″, 210 lb. prospect for 2016 with no offers at this time. The younger brother of Michigan redshirt sophomore running back Justice Hayes, Daelin has visited Penn State and Notre Dame in recent weeks and appears enamored with those squads. The fact that his brother is mostly buried on the depth chart probably does not help.

Lavert Hill – CB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Hill is a 5’11”, 165 lb. prospect for 2016 with no offers at this time. He’s the younger brother of Michigan freshman safety Delano Hill. He has visited Michigan for most home games this year.


Justin Hilliard – LB – Cincinnati (OH) St. Xavier: Hilliard is a 6’2″, 225 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Alabama, Iowa, Michigan, Notre Dame, and Ohio State, among others. His brother C.J. Hilliard is a 2014 commit to the Hawkeyes. I did a scouting report on Hilliard a couple weeks ago.


Elijah Holyfield – RB – Atlanta (GA) Woodward Academy: Holyfield is a 5’11”, 190 lb. prospect for 2016 with a lone offer from Boston College. As a freshman in 2012, he had 66 carries for 645 yards and 10 touchdowns. He’s the son of famed boxer Evander Holyfield. (Highlights.) UPDATE: Holyfield no longer plans to attend.


Joshua Jackson – WR – Saline (MI) Saline: Jackson is a 6’1″, 180 lb. prospect for 2016 with no offers at this time. He’s the younger brother of Michigan senior wideout Jeremy Jackson and the son of running backs coach Fred Jackson.


Sterling Jenkins – OT – Pittsburgh (PA) Baldwin: Jenkins is a 6’8″, 305 lb. prospect for 2015. I did a scouting report on him a few weeks ago.


Nick Johns – QB – Washington (DC) Gonzaga: Johns is a 6’3″, 215 lb. prospect for 2015 with an offer from Virginia. He’s another on the short list of quarterbacks Michigan has been in contact with for the upcoming recruiting cycle. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, #30 pro-style QB, and #575 overall. (Highlights.)


Tyree Kinnel – S – Huber Heights (OH) Wayne: Kinnel committed to Michigan in August.


Darrin Kirkland, Jr. – LB – Indianapolis (IN) Lawrence Central: Kirkland is a 6’2″, 215 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Illinois, Indiana, Louisville, Northwestern, and Virginia Tech, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, #9 ILB, and #245 overall. He also visited for the Nebraska game. (Highlights.)


Thiyo Lukusa – OT – Traverse City (MI) West: Lukusa is a 6’5″, 300 lb. prospect for 2016 with an offer from Michigan State. He has visited Michigan a couple times this season and also camped in Ann Arbor in June. (Highlights.) UPDATE: Lukusa is no longer planning to attend.

Kendric Mallory – WR – Trotwood (OH) Trotwood-Madison: Mallory is a 6’2″, 175 lb. prospect for 2014 with an offer from Illinois. He’s also the former teammate of Reon Dawson and Mike McCray.

Corey Malone-Hatcher – DE – St. Joseph (MI) St. Joseph: Malone-Hatcher is a 6’3″, 205 lb. prospect for 2017 with no offers at this time.

Alex Malzone – QB – Birmingham (MI) Brother Rice: Malzone is a 6’2″, 185 lb. prospect for 2015 with an offer from Bowling Green. He’s perhaps Michigan’s top in-state quarterback target for the class, but likely a second-level option if other national targets don’t pan out. (Highlights.)


Lawrence Marshall – DE – Southfield (MI) Southfield: Marshall committed to Michigan in May. Earlier in the spring, he had been committed to Ohio State.


Jalen Martin – WR – Harper Woods (MI) Chandler Park Academy: Martin is a 6’2″, 180 lb. prospect for 2016 with a lone offer from Eastern Michigan. He attends the alma mater of Michigan freshman wide receiver Csont’e York.


Ostell Martin – OT – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Martin is a 6’5″, 315 lb. prospect for 2016 with no offers at this time. He visited Michigan’s campus a couple times back in the spring.


Malik McDowell – DE – Southfield (MI) Southfield: McDowell is a 6’7″, 290 lb. prospect for 2014 with offers from all over the country. He has alternately been rumored to be a Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, and USC lean, but the current vibe is that Michigan would be the choice if he picked today.


Tanner Muse – LB – Belmont (NC) South Point: Muse is a 6’3″, 207 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Clemson, Michigan, North Carolina, and North Carolina State, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, #17 safety, and #297 overall, although I believe he’ll be a linebacker in college. UPDATE: Muse no longer plans to attend.


Michael Onwenu – DT – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Onwenu is a 6’2″, 310 lb. prospect for 2016 with no offers at this time.

Brady Pallante – DT – Naples (FL) Barron Collier: Pallante committed to Michigan in April as a greyshirt and became a full scholarship member of the 2014 class earlier this week.

Jacques Patrick – RB – Orlando (FL) Timber Creek: Patrick is a 6’1″, 210 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, USC, Wisconsin, and numerous others. He claims a 4.51 forty and is a 247 Composite 4-star, #7 RB, and #82 overall. As a sophomore in 2012, he had 231 carries for 2,032 yards and 29 touchdowns. It will likely be an in-state battle for his services, but he was excited about his Michigan offer and has a cousin coaching at Detroit King. (Highlights.) UPDATE: Patrick can no longer attend the game.

Donovan Peoples-Jones – WR – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Peoples-Jones is a 6’1″, 170 lb. prospect for 2017 with no offers at this time.

Jabrill Peppers – CB – Paramus (NJ) Catholic: Peppers committed to Michigan in May. He’s in the midst of an outstanding senior season and was named 247 Sports’ #3 overall player. UPDATE: Peppers’ playoff practice schedule will prevent him from visiting this weekend.


Martell Pettaway – RB – St. Clair Shores (MI) South Lake: Pettaway is a 5’9″, 185 lb. prospect for 2016 with no offers at this time. He has visited Michigan several times early in the process. (Highlights.)


Giovanni Rescigno – QB – Warren (MI) De La Salle: Rescigno is a 6’4″, 210 lb. prospect for 2014. He has no scholarship offers but was recently offered a preferred walk-on spot with the Wolverines. He has visited several times and is the teammate of 2014 Michigan commit Jared Wangler and best friends with freshman QB Shane Morris.


Darian Roseboro – DE – Lincolnton (NC) Lincolnton: Roseboro is a 6’4″, 265 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Auburn, Clemson, Michigan, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Ohio State, and Tennessee, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, #7 SDE, and #97 overall. UPDATE: Roseboro can no longer attend the game.

Joshua Ross – LB – Orchard Lake (MI) St. Mary’s: Ross is a 6’2″, 190 lb. prospect for 2017 with offers from Oklahoma and Michigan State. He’s the younger brother of Michigan sophomore linebacker James Ross.


Tommy Roush – OG – Traverse City (MI) West: Roush is a 6’3″, 270 lb. prospect for 2016 with no offers at this time. He camped at Michigan back in June and also visited for a game earlier this season.


Prince Sammons – DE – Cincinnati (OH) Hills Christian Academy: Sammons is a 6’8″, 260 lb. prospect for 2016 with an offer from Cincinnati.

Wilton Speight – QB – Richmond (VA) Collegiate: Speight committed to Michigan in February. He recently completed a solid season.


Erik Swenson – OT – Downers Grove (IL) South: Swenson is a 6’7″, 285 lb. prospect for 2016 with offers from Illinois, Michigan, Notre Dame, and Ohio State, among others. He has long declared Michigan his leader. (Highlights.)


Demetric Vance – WR – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Vance is a 6’1″, 170 lb. prospect for 2016 with no offers at this time. He has garnered some hype for being perhaps the best wide receiver prospect out of Cass Tech in a while, but he still has a couple years to develop.

Jared Wangler – LB – Warren (MI) De La Salle: Wangler committed to Michigan in August.


Brandon Watson – CB – Elkton (MD) Eastern Christian Academy: Watson committed to Michigan in June.

Maurice Ways – WR – Detroit (MI) Country Day: Ways committed to Michigan in April. Here’s a look at how his senior season went.

Mike Weber – RB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Weber is a 5’10”, 195 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Ohio State, and Tennessee. Michigan was the early favorite, but he seems to be leaning toward MSU after fellow 2015 running back Damien Harris committed to Michigan a few months ago. (Highlights.) UPDATE: Weber is no longer able to attend the game.


Tyrone Wheatley, Jr. – TE – Manlius (NY) Canisius: Wheatley is a 6’6″, 235 lb. prospect for 2016 with offers from Alabama, Michigan, Penn State, and others. He’s the son of Tyrone Wheatley, a former Michigan and NFL running back who is the current running backs coach for the Buffalo Bills. The presumed favorite is the Wolverines.


Jhonny Williams – DE – Berrien Springs (MI) Berrien Springs: Williams is a 6’6″, 237 lb. prospect for 2014 who is committed to Missouri. He has also received a Notre Dame offer, and while Michigan’s offer is intriguing, it seems that his choice will come down to Mizzou or the Fighting Irish. (Highlights.) UPDATE: Williams will not be in attendance, and he changed his commitment to the Fighting Irish.

Mykelti Williams – S – Indianapolis (IN) Warren Central: Williams is a 6’0″, 195 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Akron, Indiana, and Ole Miss. He claims a 4.5 forty and is a 247 Composite 3-star, #35 safety, and #565 overall. (Highlights.)

Reagan Williams – LB – Jackson (OH) Jackson: Williams is a 6’3″, 232 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Kent State and Ohio. As a sophomore in 2012, he had 94 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, and 4 sacks. (Highlights.)


Khari Willis – RB – Jackson (MI) Lumen Christi: Willis is a 6’0″, 187 lb. prospect for 2015 with no offers at this time. (Highlights.)


Chase Winovich – LB – Clairton (PA) Thomas Jefferson: Winovich committed to Michigan in June. He just completed an impressive senior season of playing quarterback and linebacker.

Scouting Report: Justin Hilliard

Cincinnati (OH) St. Xavier LB Justin Hilliard

Name: Justin Hilliard
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 225 lbs.
High school: Cincinnati (OH) St. Xavier
Position: Linebacker
Class:2015

Notes: Holds offers from Akron, Alabama, Arkansas, Boston College, Bowling Green, Clemson, Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisville, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Missouri, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Penn State, South Carolina, Texas A&M, Toledo, Virginia, Western Michigan . . . ESPN 4-star, 81 grade, #8 OLB, #145 overall . . . Rivals 4-star . . . Scout 4-star, #6 OLB . . . 247 Sports 5-star, 98 grade, #1 OLB, #17 overall . . . As a junior in 2012, had 65 tackles, 7 sacks, 2 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble . . . Brother C.J. Hilliard is a class of 2014 running back who committed to Iowa in June

Strengths: Nice frame . . . Body that can hold additional weight . . . Very physical when taking on blockers . . . Has a powerful punch to separate himself from blockers . . . Keeps hands and elbows inside to generate leverage . . . Shows an effective swim move in pass rush . . . Protects his chest by swiveling upper body when side-stepping blockers . . . Very effective hitter . . . Hits with shoulders square and driving feet . . . Solid play recognition skills . . . Shows good field awareness in zone coverage drops . . . Takes good angles to football and stays out of the trash . . . Active hands to bat down passes, strip the football, etc.

Weaknesses: Good speed but not the fastest linebacker around . . . A little stiff in the hips and may not be a great man coverage defender

Projection: Linebacker. I know that’s vague, and it would depend on the system, but I could see Hilliard playing any of the three or four linebacker positions in a 4-3 or a 3-4 defense. He has good recognition skills, enough to play on the inside. He also has heavy enough hands and a good enough reach to take on tight ends and an occasional lineman as an outside linebacker. He has a relatively lean frame that could see him stay around 225-230 or bulk up to 240-245 lbs. if he wanted. In my opinion, he’s the best class of 2015 prospect in the state of Ohio I’ve seen so far. I see Hilliard as a guy who could come in to just about any program and play early, potentially growing into an All-American candidate and NFL draft pick.

Reminds me of: Clay Matthews

Likelihood of coming to Michigan: Hilliard likes Michigan, camped in Ann Arbor in June, and will visit for the game against Ohio State. The front runners appear to be Alabama, Iowa, Michigan, and Notre Dame. Having a brother at Iowa might be a pull, and the Hawkeyes do develop very good defensive players, but I think he’ll have his sights set higher than that. I have a feeling that Hilliard will not pick the Wolverines in the end, but they’re not out of the running. If I had to take a stab right now, I would say Alabama because I think he would fit well with their defensive philosophy.

Highlights: Highlights can be found on Hudl.