Major: Marketing (2019), Family Resource Management (2017-18), Undeclared (2016)

Weight: 235 (2019), 230 (2015-18)

2019 Media Guide: A talented linebacker and a rock solid citizen off the field, Justin Hilliard is determined to make the most of his final season wearing the Scarlet and Gray … an Achilles injury cut short his 2019 spring drills, but he’s coming off a 2018 campaign that saw him play in 13 of 14 games for the Big Ten and Rose Bowl champions while making 20 tackles – 14 solo – and forcing two pass breakups … in addition to his linebacker play, is also a valued and productive member of Ohio State’s
special team’s unit … tied for the team lead with six special team’s tackles in 2018, three of which were inside the 20 yard line … made his first career start vs. Minnesota and had a career-high five tackles.

2018 Media Guide: One can expect to hear the name Justin Hilliard a lot more on football Saturdays … this talented and rock solid linebacker on and off the field is coming off a fine 2018 spring drills and he enters fall camp this August vying for playing time at one linebacker position … a fourth-year junior, Hilliard earned his first Varsity O letter in 2017 by playing in all 14 games for the Big Ten champion Buckeyes … contributed 14 tackles on the season … this after he missed much of two seasons with separate biceps injuries.

2017 Media Guide: Justin Hilliard was one of a number of young linebackers who stood out during the team’s 2017 spring drills … this after he missed much of two seasons with separate biceps injuries with the second coming during the 2016 season after Hilliard had played in each of the team’s first three games … he made four tackles in the first game he played in as a Buckeye, vs. Bowling Green.

2016 Media Guide: Justin Hilliard battled through a couple of injuries during his true freshman campaign of 2015 and ultimately red-shirted the season … he took part in some spring drill activity but did not tackle.

2015 Media Guide: Justin Hilliard was a 5-star recruit by both 247Sports and ESPN and one of the top linebacker prospects in this recruiting class … rated as the No. 1 outside linebacker by ESPN and No. 2 by 247Sports, and the No. 1 inside linebacker by Rivals … also held lofty overall rankings of No. 17 on the ESPN 300, No. 30 by 247Sports and No. 45 on the Rivals 250 … PrepSports ranked him No. 32 nationally and a member of its 150 Dream Team … Hilliard was a finalist as a senior for the Dick Butkus Award and he was an Associated Press all-state selection and its Division I defensive player of the year.

High School: Helped lead coach Steve Specht’s St. Xavier team to a 10-3 record in 2014 and a state semifinals appearance after recording 71 tackles and five quarterback sacks … had 76 tackles, four sacks and seven passes defensed in 2013 … committed to Ohio State on July 3, minutes before Jashon Cornell committed to be a Buckeye some 800 miles away in Minnesota … named a U.S. Army All-American but did not play as he was recovering from a knee injury.

Personal: Is the son of Diane and Carl Hilliard … older brother, C.J., will be a third-year sophomore running back for Iowa in the fall.