Lex Hilliard

Infobox NFLactive
name=Lex Hilliard


caption=
currentteam=Miami Dolphins
currentnumber=26
currentpositionplain=Running back
birthdate=birth date and age|1984|7|30
birthplace=Kalispell, Montana
heightft=5
heightin=11
weight=230
debutyear=
debutteam=
college=Montana
draftyear=2008
draftround=6
draftpick=204
pastteams=
* Miami Dolphins (2008-present)
status=Practice Squad
highlights=
* 2x First-team All-Big Sky (2004-2005)
* Walter Payton Award finalist (2005)
* Second-team All-Big Sky (2007)
nfl=HIL720361

Lex Douglas Hilliard (born July 30, 1984 in city-state|Kalispell|Montana) is an American football running back who is a practice squad player for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dolphins in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Montana.

Early years

Hilliard attended and played high school football at Flathead High School in city-state|Kalispell|Montana.cite web | title = Lex Hilliard | work = MontanaGrizzlies.com | url = http://wpe1.montanagrizzlies.com/fmi/xsl/mt_griz/db/roster/xsl/detail_roster.xsl?-db=mtgriz_content&-lay=content_roster_detail&id_record=1982&-max=1&-findhttp://wpe1.montanagrizzlies.com/fmi/xsl/mt_griz/db/roster/xsl/detail_roster.xsl?-db=mtgriz_content&-lay=content_roster_detail&id_record=1806&-max=1&-find | accessdate = 11 July | accessyear = 2008 ] During his sophomore year, he set a school record with 1,384 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. During his time at Flathead, he was a three-time all-state and all-conference selection, as well as team captain his final two seasons. He finished his career with 3,419 rushing yards, 4,410 all-purpose yards and 44 touchdowns - all school records.

Hilliard also earned three letters in track and one in wrestling. He ran the 100, 200 and 4x100 meter relay as well as throwing the shot put, earning two all-league selections.

College career

As a true freshman at the University of Montana in 2003, Hilliard was originally going to redshirt but was activated for the second game of the season. His 590 rushing yards ranked ninth in the Big Sky Conference that season.

Despite starting just four games as a sophomore in 2004, Hilliard rushed for a team-leading 972 yards and 17 touchdowns on his way to earning first-team All-Big Sky honors. He posted five 100-yard rushing games during the season, and his 17 touchdowns were best in the conference.

Hilliard earned first-team All-Big Sky honors for the second straight season, as well as being named a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, as a junior in 2005 after rushing for 1,322 yards. His rushing total ranked 19th in the nation and second in school history behind only Yohance Humphery in 2001. He had six 100-yard games during the season, including a 237-yard performance against Cal Poly which was the second-highest single-game rushing total in school history.

In 2006, Hilliard was redshirted after suffering a season-ending Achilles tendon injury.cite web | title = TEAM:Roster Lex Hilliard Profile | work = MiamiDolphins.com | url = http://www.miamidolphins.com/newsite/team/roster/playerBio.asp?docid=33173 | accessdate = 11 July | accessyear = 2008 ]

Quote box
quote = "Now that we're in the '07 season and he's back with us, it's just a godsend to have him back. I see Lex having a monster season."
source = Bobby Hauck, Grizzlies head coach
width = 200px
align = Right

Hilliard returned to the field as a fifth-year senior in 2007, appearing in 11 games for the Grizzlies. He rushed for 1,132 yards and 16 touchdowns on his way to second-team All-Big Sky honors. He topped the 100-yard rushing plateau seven times during the season.

During his five-year career at Montana, Hilliard racked up 4,106 rushing yards and 50 touchdowns on 5.0 average. He also added 57 receptions for 591 yards and two touchdowns.

tatistics

Professional career

Pre-draft

Following his collegiate career, Hilliard was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine.cite web | title = KFFL - Lex Hilliard, RB | work = KFFL.com | url = http://www.kffl.com/player/18692/nfl/news | accessdate = 11 July | accessyear = 2008 ] At his Pro Day on March 19, he measured in at 5-foot-11 1/4 and 234 pounds. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.66 seconds, short shuttle in 4.03 seconds and cone drill in 6.93 seconds. He also had a 36 1/2-inch vertical leap and a 10-foot, three-inch long jump.

In early April, it was reported that Hilliard was scheduled to visit with the New York Giants.

Miami Dolphins

Quote box
quote = "I'll play whatever. It may have to be on special teams. I'm ready to go. I'm ready to do whatever it takes to help the Miami Dolphins win."
source = Lex Hilliard, April 2008cite web | title = Lex Hilliard Conference Call | work = MiamiDolphins.com | url = http://www.miamidolphins.com/newsite/news/top_story.asp?contentID=5772 | accessdate = 11 July | accessyear = 2008 ]
width = 225px
align = Right

Hilliard was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the sixth round (204th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft.cite web | title = ESPN - NFL - NFLDraftTracker | work = ESPN.com | url = http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?id=12080&action=upsell&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnfldraft%2fdraft%2ftracker%2fplayer%3fid%3d12080 | accessdate = 11 July | accessyear = 2008 ] On May 19, he signed a four-year contract with the Dolphins.cite web | title = Dolphins sign three draft picks, add two linemen | work = BaltimoreSun.com | url = http://www.baltimoresun.com/topic/sfl-flspnfl20sbmay20,0,2972114.story | accessdate = 11 July | accessyear = 2008 ] Viewed as a fullback/tailback hybrid,cite web | title = Miami Dolphins : USAToday.com | work = USAToday.com | url = http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/clubhouse.asp?sport=nfl&majteam=MIA&line=116521 | accessdate = 11 July | accessyear = 2008 ] Hilliard stated he had no preference on where he played.

In the 2008 preseason, Hilliard finished third on the team with 68 rushing yards on a 2.8-yard average.cite web | title = Miami Dolphins 2008 preseason stats | work = NFL.com | url = http://www.nfl.com/teams/miamidolphins/statistics?season=2008&team=MIA&seasonType=PRE | accessdate = 31 August | accessyear = 2008 ] He also caught three passes for 24 yards. On August 30, the team waived Hilliard during final cuts.cite web | title = Dolphins Make Roster Moves, Pare Down To 53 | work = MiamiDolphins.com | url = http://www.miamidolphins.com/newsite/news/top_story.asp?contentID=6005 | accessdate = 31 August | accessyear = 2008 ] He was re-signed to the practice squad the following day.cite web | title = Dolphins Awarded Three Off Waivers; Add Five To Practice Squad; Williams Extended | work = MiamiDolphins.com | url = http://www.miamidolphins.com/newsite/news/top_story.asp?contentID=6006 | accessdate = 31 August | accessyear = 2008 ]

References

External links

* [http://www.miamidolphins.com/newsite/team/roster/playerBio.asp?docid=33173 Miami Dolphins bio]
* [http://wpe1.montanagrizzlies.com/fmi/xsl/mt_griz/db/roster/xsl/detail_roster.xsl?-db=mtgriz_content&-lay=content_roster_detail&id_record=1806&-max=1&-find Montana Grizzlies bio]