The next player up on our scouting of the 2021 NFL draft eligible Ohio State Buckeyes is linebacker Justin Hilliard. Hilliard may not be getting the same attention as the other three Buckeyes’ linebackers, but Hilliard has some upside and fits a role on any team. While he may not go very early in the draft, he provides depth and special teams ability teams will love.
Hilliard is often the forgotten linebacker: Pete Werner, Baron Browning and Tuf Borland get most of the attention. Hilliard played more in 2020, and even broke into the main rotation late, which helps his case to be drafted. He should hear his name called at some point, but where he fits is another question. Let’s take a look at Hilliard.
NEXT … The upside to drafting Justin Hilliard
The pros to Justin Hilliard
Impressive play by Justin Hilliard shooting the gap and tackling Najee Harris in the backfield. Beats the slot receiver tasked with the block to the spot. Experienced backer who trusts his eyes! pic.twitter.com/TCwQT90aOg
— Lorenz (@ScoutingLenz) February 15, 2021
While breaking down the film on Hilliard, there are a few things that he does that will jump out on some plays. He hits the gaps so hard and fast that if he can get into the backfield he can cause problems. He has a good tackle radius and does well to locate the ball carrier in traffic and make a play. He is a north and south type player and teams will love his tenacity and power at the line of scrimmage.
When asked to line up in coverage, Hilliard is one of those linebackers that loves to get physical against whomever he is lined up against. He jams tight ends well and has enough physical tools to stay with his assignment as long as he gets a solid jam on the line. He isn’t going to be the best linebacker as the route develops but will cause some issues for quick-strike offenses.
NEXT … The downside to Justin Hilliard
The cons to Justin Hilliard
No player in 2021 draft helped himself more over past two months than @OhioStateFB LB Justin Hilliard (@JHilliard47). Former 5⭐️ overcame string of injuries to excel in CFP and was one of top performers Senior Bowl week. This drop & drive is exactly what NFL is looking for at LB. pic.twitter.com/9TMF7sgG8W
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) February 11, 2021
Hilliard has an injury history that may scare teams away and they have taken away a little bit of his ability to be a sideline-to-sideline player right away. While he is good in zone coverage and in short man coverage, the longer the route goes the less reliable he seems to be. This shows up when he needs to flip his hips as they look a little stiff at times.
Hilliard also will need to work on his one-on-one, in space, shadowing of running backs coming at him. The slight issues he has in his hips and lateral agility show up with quicker, more shifty running backs. Unless he can shoot the gap and keep the play in front of him, asking Hilliard right now to trail a play will get, at best, mixed results.
Hilliard should be a late-round pick by a team looking for a special teams ace with need at linebacker depth. Hilliard could develop into a full-time starter should his lateral agility come back to where it once was and he can play coming downhill more than asked to play in space. He could go as early as the middle of the fifth to middle of the seventh round right now. He does, however, have some time to improve this in the coming months, especially on the heels of what he did during the Reese’s Senior Bowl.
All Ohio State football players eligible for the 2021 NFL draft
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