LSU Football 2015 NFL Draft Profiles: Kenny Hilliard

Kenny Hilliard

Position: Running back
Combine Height/Weight: 6-0, 226 pounds
LSU Listed Height/Weight: 6-0, 232
Hand Size: 9.25 inches
Arm Length: 31.25 inches
40-Yard Dash Time: 4.60
Bench-Press Reps (of 225 pounds): 16
Vertical Jump: 27 inches
Broad Jump: 111 inches
Short/Long Shuttle: 4.40/DNP
3-Cone Drill: 717 seconds

2014 Season: 90 carries for 447 yards and six touchdowns, plus 4 catches for 35 yards.

Strengths

A powerful, well-proportioned runner with a thick trunk and big legs...runs with his shoulders in front of him, and finishes plays...will stick his nose in a pile to pick up short yardage...better feel for the passing game than he's shown in terms of catching and blocking...some experience as a lead blocker in the I-formation...lost weight and gained some explosiveness as a senior...a veteran player who has experience, but doesn't have too much mileage on his odometer.

Weaknesses

Doesn't really excel in any one area...lacks speed or explosiveness, and doesn't consistently break tackles...never really reached the heights he displayed as a freshmen, and remained a career backup afterwards...can run too upright at times, exposing the football to defenders.

Verdict

Hillard was mostly a career backup at LSU, and it's hard to imagine him being more than a complementary piece in the NFL. Still, he has played some special teams, and has a varied enough skill-set to be a backup for a team with another big, powerful runner. His ability as a blocker and receiver could enhance that value as well. He reminds me a lot of former Patriot and Bengal BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who didn't have a tremendous level of talent in any one area of his game, but could do enough things to make himself valuable for a number of NFL seasons. He, at best, is a sixth- or seventh-round pick, and possibly a priority free agent, but I do think Hilliard makes it into an NFL camp with a chance to prove himself. After that, it's up to him.

Also, for posterity: