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- Thread starter MD Buckeye
- Start date
Its funny mentioning "diamond in the rough" with a former 5star recruit. But I know what you mean. He's had some tough luck with injuries. I hope he can make the 2 deep
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Finally Healthy, Justin Hilliard Showed What He Can Do
When Justin Hilliard came to Ohio State in 2015, he arrived as a 5-star prospect and arguably the top linebacker recruit in the nation.
Now two years later and he has just three games played to his credit.
A knee injury cost him his freshman season. A right biceps injury took away his 2016 spring camp, and then a left biceps injury in September cost him all but the Buckeyes’ first three games.
“That’s when where you shake your head like, ‘How the hell did that happen?'” Urban Meyer said at the time of the second biceps injury.
Some people may have begun writing Justin Hilliard off, but after seeing him play this spring, those scripts will have to be rewritten.
Hilliard spent the spring as Ohio State’s No. 2 middle linebacker behind senior Chris Worley and looked good doing it. He was healthy throughout, though the staff was very cautious about overworking him. The former 5-star prospect was finally able to show what he could do, and everybody took notice.
Entire article: http://theozone.net/2017/06/buckeye-justin-hilliard-showing/
When Justin Hilliard came to Ohio State in 2015, he arrived as a 5-star prospect and arguably the top linebacker recruit in the nation.
Now two years later and he has just three games played to his credit.
A knee injury cost him his freshman season. A right biceps injury took away his 2016 spring camp, and then a left biceps injury in September cost him all but the Buckeyes’ first three games.
“That’s when where you shake your head like, ‘How the hell did that happen?'” Urban Meyer said at the time of the second biceps injury.
Some people may have begun writing Justin Hilliard off, but after seeing him play this spring, those scripts will have to be rewritten.
Hilliard spent the spring as Ohio State’s No. 2 middle linebacker behind senior Chris Worley and looked good doing it. He was healthy throughout, though the staff was very cautious about overworking him. The former 5-star prospect was finally able to show what he could do, and everybody took notice.
Entire article: http://theozone.net/2017/06/buckeye-justin-hilliard-showing/
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Only playing kick coverage. Definitely should be on the field more and just let him go for it.
What all saw this spring and summer was a human missile, I have no idea where that is now.
What all saw this spring and summer was a human missile, I have no idea where that is now.
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He's probably going to get a shot today at some point. Baker and Booker are out so hopefully he and Browning get some serious PT
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Justin Hilliard Enjoying Health, Appreciating Opportunity
Justin Hilliard came to Ohio State from Cincinnati St. Xavier and he brought along with him hefty expectations.
As a 5-star prospect, Hilliard was supposed to fall right into the lineage of Buckeye linebacker greats. Injuries knocked him clear of that path pretty early on, however. Multiple biceps injuries over the years have cost him practices, games, and seasons.
Now in his fourth year at Ohio State, Hilliard is once again on track to make his mark on Buckeye football.
Playing in all 14 games last season, Hilliard excelled on special teams. With middle linebacker Tuf Borland now out with an Achilles tendon injury, however, he and sophomore Baron Browning have been handling the middle this spring.
So far, they are both picking up where Borland left off.
“It’s been going really well,” Hilliard said. “Been getting a lot more reps than usual. I feel really good just because this is actually my first spring not being in the rehab room. Tuf’s been helping me out a lot. Baron’s been helping me out a lot. It’s really just a family right now at middle linebacker.”
Even though Borland’s injury has allowed for more opportunity, the family aspect of the linebackers keeps Hilliard from seeing the injury as a blessing in disguise.
“No, the linebacker room is such a tight-knit room. Whenever you see a guy going down, you feel just as bad,” he said. “Especially me, I know exactly how that feels having torn three biceps here and being in the rehab room all spring. I definitely know how he feels. I mean, I know the opportunity that I have, but at the same time I feel for him.”
Urban Meyer has been singing Hilliard’s praises since the start of spring football. Despite his injuries, he has always done what he’s been asked to do. Even last spring when he was finally getting some opportunities, the coaches didn’t really know what he was capable of handling, but they were impressed each time out.
After seeing him last season and then continuing through this spring, they clearly see somebody who is ready for a larger role in the Ohio State defense.
“Justin has had a great spring,” said linebackers coach Bill Davis. “He really has taken a big step. Right now he is running with the MLBs, him and Baron are kind of switching off. But Justin again with his understanding and his reps and all those injuries are behind him. He missed a lot of reps with those injuries. I think people lose sight of that. But Justin Hilliard right now, he has had one of the better springs.”
Having done as much work in the rehab room as the practice field, Hilliard is appreciative of every rep he can get in practice.
“It means so much just because I know what I’ve been through,” he said. “Pushing through that and some of the difficulties – not only physically, but mentally – it means a lot to be out here in the spring.”
Justin Hilliard Was Never Alone
Hilliard frequently had company in the rehab room in the form of fifth-year senior wide receiver Johnnie Dixon. Prior to last season, Dixon had spent his entire career being injured. Dixon stayed healthy all spring last year, and then continued on with a productive 2017 season. Hilliard watched it the entire time.
“He’s such an inspiration. We talk all the time about that,” he said. “Most of the springs I’ve been here I’ve been in rehab and been in the rehab room with Johnnie, so we’ve been pushing together through that. And it was such a cool experience to see him have that spring and season he had last year.”
Entire article: https://theozone.net/2018/04/ohio-state-justin-hilliard-opportunity/
Justin Hilliard came to Ohio State from Cincinnati St. Xavier and he brought along with him hefty expectations.
As a 5-star prospect, Hilliard was supposed to fall right into the lineage of Buckeye linebacker greats. Injuries knocked him clear of that path pretty early on, however. Multiple biceps injuries over the years have cost him practices, games, and seasons.
Now in his fourth year at Ohio State, Hilliard is once again on track to make his mark on Buckeye football.
Playing in all 14 games last season, Hilliard excelled on special teams. With middle linebacker Tuf Borland now out with an Achilles tendon injury, however, he and sophomore Baron Browning have been handling the middle this spring.
So far, they are both picking up where Borland left off.
“It’s been going really well,” Hilliard said. “Been getting a lot more reps than usual. I feel really good just because this is actually my first spring not being in the rehab room. Tuf’s been helping me out a lot. Baron’s been helping me out a lot. It’s really just a family right now at middle linebacker.”
Even though Borland’s injury has allowed for more opportunity, the family aspect of the linebackers keeps Hilliard from seeing the injury as a blessing in disguise.
“No, the linebacker room is such a tight-knit room. Whenever you see a guy going down, you feel just as bad,” he said. “Especially me, I know exactly how that feels having torn three biceps here and being in the rehab room all spring. I definitely know how he feels. I mean, I know the opportunity that I have, but at the same time I feel for him.”
Urban Meyer has been singing Hilliard’s praises since the start of spring football. Despite his injuries, he has always done what he’s been asked to do. Even last spring when he was finally getting some opportunities, the coaches didn’t really know what he was capable of handling, but they were impressed each time out.
After seeing him last season and then continuing through this spring, they clearly see somebody who is ready for a larger role in the Ohio State defense.
“Justin has had a great spring,” said linebackers coach Bill Davis. “He really has taken a big step. Right now he is running with the MLBs, him and Baron are kind of switching off. But Justin again with his understanding and his reps and all those injuries are behind him. He missed a lot of reps with those injuries. I think people lose sight of that. But Justin Hilliard right now, he has had one of the better springs.”
Having done as much work in the rehab room as the practice field, Hilliard is appreciative of every rep he can get in practice.
“It means so much just because I know what I’ve been through,” he said. “Pushing through that and some of the difficulties – not only physically, but mentally – it means a lot to be out here in the spring.”
Justin Hilliard Was Never Alone
Hilliard frequently had company in the rehab room in the form of fifth-year senior wide receiver Johnnie Dixon. Prior to last season, Dixon had spent his entire career being injured. Dixon stayed healthy all spring last year, and then continued on with a productive 2017 season. Hilliard watched it the entire time.
“He’s such an inspiration. We talk all the time about that,” he said. “Most of the springs I’ve been here I’ve been in rehab and been in the rehab room with Johnnie, so we’ve been pushing together through that. And it was such a cool experience to see him have that spring and season he had last year.”
Entire article: https://theozone.net/2018/04/ohio-state-justin-hilliard-opportunity/
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ShowMeBuck
You know what? Chicken butt.
I was a huge fan of him coming out of HS and felt he was a major get when he signed. He flashed on one play in particular during the spring game where he looked every bit the part of a high 4 star/5 star type player. If you look at his deal, it's simply injuries that have kept him off the field. It's not like he just hasn't performed. I'm not saying he is the next Marshon type guy that hits the field and is an immediate high first round talent but I am saying that Hilliard has been held back because of injuries only not performance. We have no idea yet what kind of player he can be.
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
JUSTIN HILLIARD IS HEALTHY AND LOOKING TO PROVE HIMSELF THIS SPRING
Few players enter the college ranks with the undeniable talent of Justin Hilliard.
When Hilliard committed to the Buckeyes back in the summer of 2014, he was the top player in the state, the consensus top player in the nation at his position, and the highest-rated player in Ohio State's entire 2015 recruiting class.
The hype surrounding Hilliard was nearly immeasurable – unless you're counting how long our servers were down after his announcement. If any player was a sure thing, it was him.
But then came the injuries.
Hilliard suffered a torn bicep during his first season in Columbus, forcing him to redshirt. He then played just three games the following season before tearing the same muscle in his other arm. Hilliard said it happened once more for a total of three bicep tears in three years.
But now, Hilliard full-go and completely healthy during spring practice for the first time in his Buckeye career.
"I feel really good," Hilliard said with a smile after the team's Wednesday practice. "This is actually my first spring just not being in the rehab room.
It means so much, just because I know what I've been through, just kind of pushing through that, some of the difficulties – not only physically but mentally. It means a lot to just be out here in the spring."
Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...lthy-and-looking-to-prove-himself-this-spring
Few players enter the college ranks with the undeniable talent of Justin Hilliard.
When Hilliard committed to the Buckeyes back in the summer of 2014, he was the top player in the state, the consensus top player in the nation at his position, and the highest-rated player in Ohio State's entire 2015 recruiting class.
The hype surrounding Hilliard was nearly immeasurable – unless you're counting how long our servers were down after his announcement. If any player was a sure thing, it was him.
But then came the injuries.
Hilliard suffered a torn bicep during his first season in Columbus, forcing him to redshirt. He then played just three games the following season before tearing the same muscle in his other arm. Hilliard said it happened once more for a total of three bicep tears in three years.
But now, Hilliard full-go and completely healthy during spring practice for the first time in his Buckeye career.
"I feel really good," Hilliard said with a smile after the team's Wednesday practice. "This is actually my first spring just not being in the rehab room.
It means so much, just because I know what I've been through, just kind of pushing through that, some of the difficulties – not only physically but mentally. It means a lot to just be out here in the spring."
Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...lthy-and-looking-to-prove-himself-this-spring
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
FIVE FORMER FIVE-STAR RECRUITS SET FOR FIRST MEANINGFUL PLAYING TIME THIS SEASON
JUSTIN HILLIARD – 2015 CLASS – LB
Justin Hilliard was the highest-rated player in Ohio State's 2015 class. The five-star linebacker was rated as the No. 3 outside linebacker in the country, the No. 35 player overall and the top player in the state of Ohio.
He was one of the most hyped and talented recruits Urban Meyer ever recruited at Ohio State, but due to injuries, his career thus far has not gone the way that he'd hoped. Hilliard suffered three bicep tears in three years, sidelining him for longer than he was available to play.
Now, finally healthy and with three starting linebacker spots open, Hilliard is fighting for playing time, and according to linebackers coach Bill Davis, he was running with the ones in the spring.
"He’s ready to go," Davis said. "The injuries do not factor in right now. They don’t factor. He’s back."
Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...for-first-meaningful-playing-time-this-season
JUSTIN HILLIARD – 2015 CLASS – LB
Justin Hilliard was the highest-rated player in Ohio State's 2015 class. The five-star linebacker was rated as the No. 3 outside linebacker in the country, the No. 35 player overall and the top player in the state of Ohio.
He was one of the most hyped and talented recruits Urban Meyer ever recruited at Ohio State, but due to injuries, his career thus far has not gone the way that he'd hoped. Hilliard suffered three bicep tears in three years, sidelining him for longer than he was available to play.
Now, finally healthy and with three starting linebacker spots open, Hilliard is fighting for playing time, and according to linebackers coach Bill Davis, he was running with the ones in the spring.
"He’s ready to go," Davis said. "The injuries do not factor in right now. They don’t factor. He’s back."
Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...for-first-meaningful-playing-time-this-season
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