LSU WR Chris Hilton Jr. looks to build on strong 2024 finish, lessons learned through challenges

Nearly four years at LSU have flown by for Chris Hilton Jr. and looked much differently than he anticipated coming out of nearby Zachary in 2021.

But as the speedy wide receiver prepares for his fifth season in purple and gold, feeling healthy after an injury-frustrated fall, he’s as at peace with the journey thus far and even the tougher lessons along the way as he is hungry to close his college career with and his Tigers’ best season yet.

“I learned that you and God don’t operate on the same clock,” Hilton said. “I went from high to low, real quick, and it wasn’t a part of my plan. But it was a part of his.

“And even when I came back so pressed to go out there and try make plays, because that’s who you are, he still told me, ‘Nah, not just yet.’ And then you saw the last two games.”

Notable buzz had built around the LSU program last summer that the 6-foot, 190-pound former three-sport local prep standout appeared poised for a major breakout with early-career injuries finally fully in his rearview.

But an ankle injury in fall camp sidelined him again until late October. Even as he returned, he struggled for weeks to regain or settle into his rhythm and confidence.

Meanwhile, a different kind of buzz — frustrated fans critical of his absences and then of his mistimed plays on the ball — grew from the outside.

“It wasn’t easy,” Hilton touched his face before returning to a shrug and a smile. “I was getting criticized when I was hurt. I wasn’t even playing. I got criticized when I came back. And I really had to tell myself, ‘I don’t play for them. I play for someone higher.’ And all I asked was that his will be done, and it was.”

Hilton caught two passes for 85 yards and two touchdowns Nov. 30 to close the regular season with a home win against Oklahoma, then four receptions for 113 yards, a touchdown and another highlight-reel deep shot down to the 1-yard line in a Texas Bowl defeat of Baylor.

He led the Tigers in receiving in both contests and was the team’s only player to reach in the end zone in both games.

“It’s something that has been very special to see,” said quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, himself a 2021 signee and fifth-year senior. “It’s been hard for him, and it’s not easy to have that level of hype and the skill he was playing with before he got hurt last fall camp. That’s tough to deal with. And to have to fight it back and you’re playing, but you’re not 100%, so it looks bad, but you’re coming back. And so you finally get to see him toward the end of the year kind of get back into himself, and so I think he has that confidence and that glow with him.

“I think everybody’s stories are different. I think Chris went through something that I think everybody has to go through at some point in their lives in some way — whether it’s an injury or being a backup or many different things as an athlete. And I think that’s why having a foundation in your faith is so important.”

Hilton is now among the most tenured players on the roster and one of the leaders to watch in a receiving corps loaded with athleticism and potential, but having to replace its primary faces and spokesmen from 2024 as Kyren Lacy and tight end Mason Taylor head to the NFL.

The typically quiet presence said he tries to lead by example with his work ethic and the way he approaches his business, but that the group as a whole is meshing well together and sees a mix of players taking on leadership in different ways that fit their respective personalities.

Nussmeier is grateful for everything his 2021 classmate brings to that cast of weapons and the connection they’re able to display on the field.

“Chris is an unbelievable player,” Nussmeier said. “He’s a special talent, special speed and his ability to track the football is very high. And so obviously we have chemistry coming in the same class together and we’ve been working with each other for four years, and whenever he’s able to stay healthy — which I have full confidence he will be — he’s a pretty dang good football player. So I’m very excited for him this year.”

Hilton has played 25 games through four years and caught 31 passes for 658 yards and six touchdowns.

He may have expected four years ago for more of that production to come sooner or for him to already be on to or preparing for the NFL by now. But he’s embraced his journey — and each of its twists, turns and hurdles along the way — and looks forward to the next steps in 2025.

“Looking back on it, I wouldn’t change it,” he said. “I feel like it happened for a reason. I don’t know what that reason is yet, but, like I said, I have faith in God, and he’s gonna lead me the way.”