Is LSU wide receiver Chris Hilton Jr. flying under the radar?

LSU’s wide receiver room will look different in 2024. The gap left by Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. is a big one, which has led to many calling for a breakout year from receivers like Kyren Lacy and CJ Daniels.

As far as breakout candidates go, Lacy and Daniels make sense. Lacy, a fifth-year senior, will enter his third year at LSU. He knows the offense, knows quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, and his 18.6 yards per catch in 2023 lead all qualified SEC returners.

Daniels was one of the top receivers on the transfer market after racking up 1,000 yards and leading the country in yards per route run at Liberty.

It’s understandable why those two are getting most of the preseason hype, but does that leave some other receivers flying under the radar? That could be the case with Chris Hilton Jr., who’s finally getting his chance in 2024.

Hilton arrived as a member of that 2021 recruiting class that was loaded at receiver. Along with Nabers and Thomas, that class included blue-chips Jack Bech and Deion Smith. Three years later, Hilton is the last one standing at LSU.

He was a highly touted recruit and 247Sports ranked Hilton as the top receiver in the class. He didn’t make much noise as a freshman, catching just two passes for 81 yards in a touchdown.

That touchdown came in garbage time against Kansas State in the bowl game, but Hilton put his speed on display.

In 2022, Hilton was set to be a part of the rotation. He was targeted eight times in Week 2 before getting the start against Mississippi State in Week 3. But in Week 4 against New Mexico, he tore his ACL and his year was done.

In 2023, we know what the deal was. Nabers and Thomas were a historic duo, swallowing up the majority of the targets. Throw in Lacy with tight end Mason Taylor, as well as the rushing ability of Jayden Daniels, and there wasn’t much…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/lsu-wide-receiver-chris-hilton-212755169.html

Author : LSU Tigers Wire

Publish date : 2024-07-07 21:27:55

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