BC’s Hilliman on track to return after foot injury
By Julian BenbowGLOBE STAFF
The road back to the field for Boston College running back Jon Hilliman after a fractured foot ended his 2015 season is a long one, and spring practice is just the first step.
“Every day, you want to get a little faster a little quicker a little more in shape, learn a little more, get a little stronger,’’ Hilliman said.
“It’s a marathon, not a sprint. So I’m just staying patient and staying faithful.’’
Injuries tore apart the Eagles a year ago, leaving a revolving door at the quarterback position, but the loss of Hilliman essentially pulled the foundation from the offense.
The Eagles went from having the second-best rushing attack in the ACC in 2014, when Hilliman set a rookie record with 210 carries, to fifth worst.
Now that he’s healthy, Eagles running backs coach Brian White said Hilliman is gradually getting back on track.
“It’s coming,’’ White said. “It’s coming, but it’s still a work in progress, and he’ll get there. He’ll get there through great training and dedication and continuing to work hard.
“I like the progress that he’s made. He’s a smart football player, so we’ve just got to keep rolling. The big picture is to have him ready for September when we open up against Georgia Tech in Ireland.’’
Even though Hilliman is the youngest of the Eagles three running backs, no one’s carried the ball more.
“He’s a smart guy, so he’s able to see things when he’s watching practice and he gives advice to the other tailbacks,’’ White said. “He does a great job with that.’’
The taste of a 3-9 (0-8 ACC) season is still bitter, and the scrutiny the program’s faced because of it still lingers. Hilliman, like the program as a whole, has something to prove.
“We just pay attention to the guys that are on the field right now. We know what we have to do, it’s just a matter of going out and doing it. That’s why we’re rebuilding this year and coming back this season getting ready to do a lot of things and shock a lot of people.’’
- See more at: http://epaper.bostonglobe.com/Bosto...121928b1&t=1459344422749#sthash.nE2oQtWw.dpuf
By Julian BenbowGLOBE STAFF
The road back to the field for Boston College running back Jon Hilliman after a fractured foot ended his 2015 season is a long one, and spring practice is just the first step.
“Every day, you want to get a little faster a little quicker a little more in shape, learn a little more, get a little stronger,’’ Hilliman said.
“It’s a marathon, not a sprint. So I’m just staying patient and staying faithful.’’
Injuries tore apart the Eagles a year ago, leaving a revolving door at the quarterback position, but the loss of Hilliman essentially pulled the foundation from the offense.
The Eagles went from having the second-best rushing attack in the ACC in 2014, when Hilliman set a rookie record with 210 carries, to fifth worst.
Now that he’s healthy, Eagles running backs coach Brian White said Hilliman is gradually getting back on track.
“It’s coming,’’ White said. “It’s coming, but it’s still a work in progress, and he’ll get there. He’ll get there through great training and dedication and continuing to work hard.
“I like the progress that he’s made. He’s a smart football player, so we’ve just got to keep rolling. The big picture is to have him ready for September when we open up against Georgia Tech in Ireland.’’
Even though Hilliman is the youngest of the Eagles three running backs, no one’s carried the ball more.
“He’s a smart guy, so he’s able to see things when he’s watching practice and he gives advice to the other tailbacks,’’ White said. “He does a great job with that.’’
The taste of a 3-9 (0-8 ACC) season is still bitter, and the scrutiny the program’s faced because of it still lingers. Hilliman, like the program as a whole, has something to prove.
“We just pay attention to the guys that are on the field right now. We know what we have to do, it’s just a matter of going out and doing it. That’s why we’re rebuilding this year and coming back this season getting ready to do a lot of things and shock a lot of people.’’
- See more at: http://epaper.bostonglobe.com/Bosto...121928b1&t=1459344422749#sthash.nE2oQtWw.dpuf
