“I’m kind of waiting it out,” Hilliard said Sunday. “When I make a decision, I want to be 100 percent sure, because I don’t want to de-commit. It’s pretty structured now because I narrowed it down from a top 15 to a top 10 to a top five. So, hopefully, I keep visiting all these schools and make a decision in late June or early July.”
Two main factors are involved in the equation: no distractions for his senior season and the ability to recruit fellow Class of 2015ers to his college choice. Hilliard’s main goal in the next month is to get his mother on each campus – and to avoid making a rash decision.
“Whenever I see someone commit right after a visit, I feel like they’re making [an emotional decision],” he said. “I don’t believe in that. After every visit, I’ll have that moment, ‘This could be the school I want to go to.’ So I try and wait a couple days to think everything out and talk to my parents.”
All five schools are on even footing right now, Hilliard said. But an undisclosed top two are where his decision will be made. The remainder of his summer will be spent attending camps, including the Rivals Challenge and “hopefully, The Opening,” according to Hilliard.
Friday Night Lights could also be on his itinerary. Hilliard, listed at 6-foot-2, 235 pounds, said defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Luke Fickell wants to work him out. At this point, Hilliard is settled and calm about the recruiting process. He and his dad have visited the top five schools multiple times and developed relationships with coaches and possible future teammates.
