You probably haven't heard of him, most people haven't. When his collegiate career is over, he just needs to make sure NFL scouts have. At 5'10 and 175 pounds this undersized wide receiver is trying to put himself and Florida International University on the College Football map.
His name is T.Y. Hilton, and he is turning heads and not just with his blazing 4.3 40 yard dash time. Hilton has become a number one priority for defenses to stop and rightfully so. With comparisons to former University of Miami star, Devin Hester, T.Y. is a very versatile player. Heading into his Junior year, T.Y. will once again give the Sun Belt Conference something to worry about.
T.Y. Hilton at FIU
It all started on his collegiate debut at Kansas, Hilton is back to return a punt and takes it 74 yards for the touchdown. He hasn't stopped since. Hilton was one of three freshman receivers in all of college football with 1,000 yards receiving, which he did on only 41 catches. He also caught seven touchdowns, returned a punt for a touchdown, returned a kick for a touchdown, ran for two touchdowns and threw for a touchdown. Talk about versatility. His freshman year was huge as he set several FIU single game records, including 199 receiving yards on six receptions vs. Arkansas State. T.Y. averaged 180 all purpose yards a game which ranked third in the country. Hilton's an all purpose player that uses his speed to the fullest potential, and has great footwork.
Hilton's Sophomore season was cut short due to injuries but he still lead his team in all three major receiving statistical categories. He finished the year with 57 catches, 632 receiving yards and five touchdown receptions. For those who question how good he really is due to the lack of competition in the Sun Belt Conference, T.Y. also had a 96 yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Alabama and hauled in four passes for 75 yards against Florida.
Heading into his Junior year T.Y. is fully healthy and ready to go. FIU opens the season with it's first four games against Rutgers, Texas A&M, Maryland, and Pittsburgh. A chance for Hilton to once again prove he truly is a top receiver in all of College Football.
T.Y. Hilton Draft Status
There are comparisons to Devin Hester all the way down to a faster Wes Welker. Regardless, Hilton still has two years left to show he can stay healthy and consistent and match those off the chart numbers he put up his Freshman year. Watch out for Hilton to bounce back this year, and it wouldn't be a shocker if he ends up being the top receiver in the Sun Belt Conference. If he can finish his collegiate career without another injury, Hilton could end up in the 2012 NFL draft next to receivers like Julio Jones, A.J. Green and Michael Floyd.
Randy Chambers - I was born in Hartford, Connecticut currently live in Miami, Florida. I am twenty two years young. I love writing, love sports, love ...
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