Image via @JHilliard47
Arguably Oklahoma’s top linebacker target in the 2015 class, Justin Hilliard (Cincinnati, OH), released his Top 10 schools Monday morning via his Twitter account.
TOP 10 (No Order)
ND
Alabama
Iowa
Kentucky
Michigan
Oklahoma
Florida State
Southern California
Ohio State
Florida— Justin Hilliard (@JHilliard47) March 31, 2014
The Sooners inclusion should not come as much of a surprise for those who follow recruiting. For those who might not be as familiar, Hilliard — who is considered by many to be the top 2015 linebacker in the country — has already visited Norman (as evidenced in the picture accompanying this post) on an unofficial for one of OU’s Junior Days back in early February. Ever since, the Sooners have been in good standing with the talented Ohio product. Though as the list would indicate, there will be no shortage of competition for his services.
He has a brother that will be enrolling at Iowa, so there are some family ties there. As an Ohio kid, one would have to think Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes are a very strong contender. And, of course, Nick Saban.
Hilliard has already visited six of the ten schools he listed, and has said he plans to hit the rest if he and his father can make it happen. After which he will narrow his list down to a possible five schools and make arrangements for his official visits.
The pressure is on Oklahoma linebackers coach Tim Kish as he continues to pursue one of the most talented players in the country at his respective position.
13 Comments
Kish can coach, but I sure hope his recruiting picks up. I think this will be a very telling year for him.
Love his ability to stand up OL in the hole.
I believe some of our coaches have some history in that Iowa/Ohio area, can’t hurt our chances any.
Pretty much every single coach we have does.
Clearly, he was born to play under Stoops.
Actually Blowhio state has done a terrible job the past few years in retaining the top lbs in Ohio. Jordan Hicks went to Texas and DePreist went to Bama. Lets steal this one now so I can rag on all my suckeyebuddies.
Wasn’t Hicks before Meyer got there?
He might have been. But around here O State is known for getting their choice of the in state talent, and here lately they have been slipping.
wow…that kid has some talent.
Really need Kish to pick it up this year on the inside, we picked up Tay, Evans, and Bond but no insider that I know of, yes we got Jordan and Dom the year be for but if we miss on this class then we could be looking at very young or juco inside LBs in a few year and that’s not always good.
Would be great to pick up 2 inside guys like Wheeler and Hilliard
Yeah he needs to play for Mark Stoops and then his family and friends can drive an hour down the road to watch him play
i really like this young fella’s film, seems to read really well and likes to put punishment on the ball carrier….nastiness
I agree with SoonerPhins