2024 was supposed to be a breakout season for LSU wide receiver Chris Hilton. Hilton was entering his junior season after playing behind future first round draft selections Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr.
However, as preseason camp was winding down last year, Hilton suffered an ankle injury in practice. Coach Brian Kelly expressed optimism the injury would not sideline Hilton for long.
But the former football and track star from Zachary High School ended up missing the first seven weeks of the season and when he returned, it took a few games to shake off the rust.
‘I went from high to low real quick, and it wasn’t part of my plan but it was a part of His and even when I came back, so pressed to go out there and try to make plays, because that’s who you are, but he still told me, not just yet and you saw the last two games, really you just got to have faith in God that’s what I say,” Hilton said.
Hilton finally found his groove in the regular season finale with two touchdown catches against Oklahoma and had four catches for 113 yards and a touchdown in the bowl game against Baylor.
“Looking back on it, I wouldn’t change it,” he said. “I feel like it happened for a reason. I don’t know what that reason is yet, but, like I said, I have faith in God, and he’s gonna lead me the way.”
Hilton has played in 25 games and caught 31 passes for 658 yards and six touchdowns. He has the talent to double those numbers in one season.
“Chris is an unbelievable player,” Nussmeier said. “He’s a special talent, special speed and his ability to track the football is very high. And so obviously we have chemistry coming in the same class together and we’ve been working with each other for four years, and whenever he’s able to stay healthy — which I have full confidence he will be — he’s a pretty dang good football player. So I’m very excited for him this year.”
