Rutgers football: Jon Hilliman comes home, four years later

PISCATAWAY - Once upon a time, Jon Hilliman was prepared to stay home.

A Plainfield native and onetime standout at St. Peter's Prep, Hilliman committed to Rutgers, then de-committed in December 2013 with National Signing Day looming. He noted instability with Kyle Flood's program then.

Plan B was Boston College, which yielded a mostly-productive four years. Now, with one year of eligibility remaining as a graduate transfer, Hilliman has found his way home, back with the Scarlet Knights, back where he thought he would be back in 2013.

Once the 2017 season ended and Gus Edwards was gone, Rutgers was in need of a running back, preferably one with some experience. When news of Hilliman's commitment broke in January, it was a big deal for obvious reasons. When Hilliman met the media for the first time this spring last week, it didn't take long for someone to ask about 2013.

Hilliman, to his credit, laughed before answering.

"I was committed here, and it was totally different then," said Hilliman, who rushed for 2,238 yards and 26 touchdowns in 42 careers games for the Eagles. "Totally different program, culture, very different. A lot has changed since then with me and this program, and I feel like I'm coming back for a fresh start.

"I'm trying to get readjusted to home, if that makes sense, but yeah, a lot has changed. I'm excited about it."

For as much as other positions have featured competition this spring, running back has not. Hilliman is here to be the guy getting the ball out of the backfield the majority of the time, and it isn't a secret. Edwards' departure to the NFL left a big hole, and Hilliman is expected to fill it.

Hilliman will have some help from a capable runner like Raheem Blackshear, but beyond Hilliman, the running backs room is awfully young. That will lead to a lot of carries, but also the need for Hilliman to lead.

"That was probably one of the biggest things, coming in and having an opportunity to be the main guy," Hilliman said. "Being a guy in the room where there isn't a wealth of experience, being able to give that experience as far as talent and everything else, it was kind of a no-brainer at one point."

"To have a guy that has been that successful as a college player and played at a really high level, he played for a great high school program, he really understands what it's like to work," said new running backs coach Nunzio Campanile, who faced Hilliman in high school as the head coach at Bergen Catholic. "He's been a great leader in there, even though he's still learning the offense. He's a very bright guy, and he's brought a lot of maturity to the group."

Staff writer Josh Newman: jnewman@app.com; @Joshua_Newman