For LSU to remain a juggernaut on offense this season, LSU will need some wide receivers to step up and make plays. Based on what the media has seen at practice, junior Chris Hilton seems poised to have a breakout season.
After a standout career at Zachary High School, where he excelled in both football and track and field, Hilton arrived on LSU’s campus in 2021 with starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier.
Hilton has waited three years to have a full opportunity to become the next great receiver at LSU. He’s also battled injuries, undergoing three surgeries in two years.
Hilton injured his left knee his freshman season, injured his right knee his sophomore season and then his right labrum.
But Hilton says he’s injury free this year.
“If you feel good, you are going to play better,” Hilton said.
Hilton caught 13 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns last season. This year his jersey number is 3 and he spent his offseason working on his route running and improving his hand placement, since he’s had some drops.
“I couldn’t even tell you what month I started, but it’s been 100 footballs every day on the jug machine, whether it be straight forward, turn sideways, over the shoulder, at minimum 100 balls and that continues to this day, so I’ll be doing it again tomorrow,” Hilton said.
Last year, LSU had two wide receivers who ended up being first round picks in the NFL draft, Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr.
Hilton and Kyren Lacy could be the next dynamic duo. Lacy is a flashy wide receiver like Nabers, while Hilton let’s his play do the talking.
In fact, Hilton and Thomas were roommates last season and Hilton says it was a quiet apartment.
If Hilton can come close to duplicating what Thomas did this year, there will be a lot of people talking about him being a first-round pick. And LSU’s offense will be among the league leaders in college football again.