Justin will be among the defensive standouts for the Golden
Eagles in his junior season...could be considerd among the top
noseguards in the OVC...has the skills to have a huge
season...great quickness...strength continues to develop...provides
great size inside but also has excellent quickness...heads into the
season listed as the starter at Anchor...missed most of '08 Spring
drills, but it didn't deter him from a solid campaign...was a
standout on the field during '09 Spring work....played defensive
tackle in 2007...smart player who has gained a thorough
understanding of the new defensive system...will be among the
strongest linemen on the roster...an extremely versatile
lineman...comes into his junior year with 42 total tackles and 8.5
tackles-for-loss.
At TECH - (In 2008): Justin ranked first among all
of Tech's defensive linemen in tackles, finishing 12th overall on
the squad with 32 stops...had nine solo tackles and 23 assisted
stops...fifth on the team with 5.5 tackles-for-loss for 16
yards...also had one quarterback sack and blocked one
kick...started all 12 games...tied his career-high with five solo
tackles at FBS foe Western Michigan...had four tackles in
nationally televised game at Southeast Missouri, and also posted
four tackles against Jacksonville State...had 1.5 tackles-for-loss
in finale against Eastern Illinois...blocked a kick at Austin
Peay.
(In 2007): Justin saw action in eight games as a
redshirt freshman...had five solo tackles and five assists for 10
total tackles...made three tackles-for-loss for five yards...had
his best game at UT Martin with five tackles, including four solo
stops.
(In 2006): Spent first year on the roster as a
redshirt.
High School: A first-team all-region and
first-team all-area (Chattanooga and North Georgia)
selection..Justin earned four letters for coach Tim Hammontree at
Rhea County High School, lining up as a defensive end and
runningback...also lettered three years on the basketball team and
once on the track & field team (shot put and discus).
PERSONAL: The son of Jeff and Sharon
Hilliard...born October 25, 1987 in Pikeville, Tenn....full name is
Justin Eric Hilliard...majoring in business.
