Last year against Texas A&M, sophomore Mike Hilton started his first game of his college career at huskie and did a pretty good job of being the spy on Aggie quarterback Johnny Manziel. This year, Hilton will be a starter at cornerback and will get the task of battling another Texas A&M offensive weapon in wide receiver Mike Evans.
Texas receiver Kendall Sanders (2) is wrapped up by Ole Miss defensive back Mike Hilton (28) during the Ole Miss – Texas game on Sept. 14, 2013, in Austin, Texas. (Photo/Austin McAfee)
Hilton’s three tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble may not seem like the best performance. However, it was enough to put the Fayetteville, Ga., native on the map as a constant contributed on the Ole Miss defense, and he’s continuing that good play this year.
“He’s a ball player,” Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze said. “He’s just a good player and he’s going to continue to improve wherever you put him because he’s just a good football player.”
Hilton was moved from huskie to corner earlier this season because of the need for depth in the secondary. The transition has been seamless for Hilton, and the sophomore said he gets more comfortable every week.
“I’m more confident now,” Hilton said. “I go into every game (thinking) if I do my job, we can win. I feel comfortable. I feel like it’s the best position for me.”
The 5-foot-9 corner hasn’t been tested that much so far this year, but he’ll have his hands full against the 6-foot-5 Evans from Texas A&M.
Evans has been phenomenal this season, racking up 691 yards on 28 catches to go along with five touchdowns, and slowing him down is crucial to slowing down the explosive Texas A&M offense.
“You just have to be physical with him right before he gets in the air,” Hilton said of Evans. “He uses his body a lot, so you have to get your body into him before he does. If you know you can’t get the pick, you just have to separate his hands so he can’t catch it.”
Hilton certainly doesn’t have the advantage over Evans when it comes to his height, and really, he’ll often being going against bigger guys than him. However, the work he puts in off the field has been beneficial into making him into the playmaker he’s become.
“He commits himself,” Freeze said. “If you come in here on Mondays when it’s our off day he’s gonna be in here watching film, studying, wanting the coaches to spend time with him. He loves the game and loves being around it, and he’s athletic so he’s adjusted fairly well.”
He’ll have to use his knowledge of Evans and the rest of the talented Aggie receiving corps to get whatever edge he can this weekend.
If Freeze made one thing clear about Hilton, it’s that he’s a ball player, and ball player’s always find a way to get the job done.
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