Justin Hilliard Explained

Justin Hilliard
Position:Linebacker
Birth Date:25 March 1997
Birth Place:Cincinnati, Ohio
Height Ft:6
Height In:1
Weight Lbs:231
High School:St. Xavier (Cincinnati, Ohio)
College:Ohio State
Undraftedyear:2021
Pastteams:
Statleague:NFL
Statlabel1:Games played
Statlabel2:Games started
Pfr:HillJu00

Justin Hilliard (born March 25, 1997) is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at Ohio State and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the San Francisco 49ers after the 2021 NFL draft.[1]

Education and college career

Hilliard graduated from St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati in 2015.[2]

Hilliard was ranked as a fivestar recruit and one of the best linebackers in the 2015 class by 247Sports.com coming out of high school.[3] He committed to Ohio State on July 2, 2014.[4] He requested and was approved for a sixth year of eligibility before the 2020 season.[5]

Professional career

San Francisco 49ers

Hilliard was signed as an undrafted free agent by the San Francisco 49ers on May 13, 2021.[6] He was waived on August 31, 2021.[7]

New York Giants

On September 1, 2021, Hilliard was claimed off waivers by the New York Giants.[8] He was placed on injured reserve on October 15, 2021.

On June 17, 2022, Hilliard was suspended for the first two games of the 2022 regular season for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances.[9] On July 28, 2022, Hilliard was waived.[10]

Kansas City Chiefs

On December 28, 2022, Hilliard was signed to the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad.[11] Hilliard was waived by the Chiefs on January 6, 2023, after Matthew Wright was signed to the practice squad.[12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Holbrook . Spencer . May 2021 . Justin Hilliard heading to San Francisco on undrafted contract . https://web.archive.org/web/20210507010542/https://lettermenrow.com/ohio-state-football/justin-hilliard-ohio-state-football-linebacker-draft-pick-nfl-roster/amp/ . 2021-05-07 . Lettermen Row.
  2. News: High School Insider: Ohio State linebacker Justin Hilliard discusses national championship opportunity. Mike. Dyer. WCPO-TV. Cincinnati. January 7, 2021. October 6, 2022.
  3. Web site: Justin Hilliard Recruiting Profile. 247Sports.com.
  4. Web site: Justin Hilliard 247. 247Sports.com.
  5. Web site: Justin Hilliard gets 6th year at Ohio State approved by NCAA. Bill. Kurelic. Bucknuts.
  6. Web site: 49ers Sign 10 Rookies. 49ers.com. May 13, 2021. May 14, 2021.
  7. Web site: 49ers Announce Initial 53-Man Roster Ahead of NFL Deadline. 49ers.com. August 31, 2021.
  8. Web site: Giants claim WR Collin Johnson, LB Quincy Roche, LB Justin Hilliard. Eisen, Michael. Giants.com. September 1, 2021.
  9. Web site: Justin Hilliard suspended two games by the NFL . Giants.com. June 17, 2022.
  10. Web site: Roster moves: Giants sign LB Austin Calitro, waive Justin Hilliard . Pflum, Chris. bigblueview.com. July 28, 2022.
  11. Web site: Chiefs sign LB Justin Hilliard to practice squad. Chiefs Wire. USA Today. December 28, 2022.
  12. Web site: Chiefs elevate Ihmir Smith-Marietta, Matthew Wright for Saturday’s game . https://web.archive.org/web/20230112111826/https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/01/06/chiefs-elevate-ihmir-smith-marsette-matthew-wright-for-saturdays-game/amp/ . 2023-01-12 . 2023-01-06 . profootballtalk.nbcsports.com . en.