[LeeCoUKFan]

Younger Hilliard has ties to Kentucky

Justin Rowland
Special to CatsIllustrated.com

Cincinnati (Ohio) St. Xavier is home to not one Hilliard, but two. The older, C.J., is one of the state's top rising senior athlete. The younger has just as much potential.

Justin Hilliard may just be a Class of 2015 prospect with two years before it's time to go off to college but he's already built like an SEC linebacker at 6-foot-2 and 225-pounds.

His early offer list is lengthy and reflects that potential that college coaches are obviously taken by.

So far he and his older brother C.J. have taken visits to Arkansas, Iowa, Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State and Indiana. There's a chance a trip to Kentucky could be in the works.

"I talked to one of their coaches and then the defensive coordinator (D.J. Eliot) came by," the younger Hilliard explained. "I actually know a decent amount (about Kentucky) because I'm pretty good friends with Jarrett LaRubbio and Mikel Horton.

"We all went to school together when we were younger and played together. They're good guys."

When asked whether LaRubbio and Horton are pushing for him to join them at UK, Hilliard laughed.

"A little bit, definitely," he said.

One factor to consider is the younger Hilliard admitted that his brother's college choice is likely to play a role in his, at least on some level.

"It will (influence him) a little bit. It would definitely be cool going to the same school. I wouldn't say wherever he goes I go," he said. "But it would be nice."

The rising junior said he plans to attend five or six camps this summer. He also wants to visit some schools unofficially. He does not know of his plans right now but a trip to Kentucky at some point is very likely.

Last fall as a sophomore at St. Xavier, Hilliard averaged 7.5 tackles per game and had two interceptions on the year.

http://kentucky.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1512001