LSU’s wide receiver room will look different in 2024. The void left by Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. is large, leading many to predict a breakout year for receivers like Kyren Lacy and CJ Daniels.
As far as breakout candidates go, Lacy and Daniels make sense. Lacy, a fifth-year senior, will be entering his third year at LSU. He knows the offense, knows quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, and his 18.6 yards per catch in 2023 leads all qualified SEC returners.
Daniels was one of the best receivers on the transfer market after reaching 1,000 yards at Liberty and leading the nation in yards per route run.
It’s understandable why these two get so much attention in the preseason, but does that mean other receivers go unnoticed? That could be the case with Chris Hilton Jr., who finally gets his chance in 2024.
Hilton came as a member of the 2021 recruiting class that was loaded with receivers. In addition to Nabers and Thomas, that class also included blue chips Jack Bech and Deion Smith. Three years later, Hilton is the last one still in the running at LSU.
He was a highly touted recruit and 247Sports ranked Hilton as the best receiver in the class. He didn’t make much noise as a freshman, catching just two passes for 81 yards and one touchdown.
This touchdown came in overtime of the bowl game against Kansas State, but Hilton showed off his speed.
81 yards with the final siren 🤯@13nation__ hold out until the end pic.twitter.com/9Y5JUlRoZr
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) January 5, 2022
Hilton was expected to be part of the rotation in 2022. He was targeted eight times in Week 2 before playing against Mississippi State in Week 3. But in Week 4 against New Mexico, he tore his ACL and his year was over.
In 2023, we know what the deal was. Nabers and Thomas were a historic duo that claimed the majority of the targets. When you combine Lacy with tight end Mason Taylor and the running power of Jayden Daniels, there isn’t much offensive output left for players like Hilton.
That opportunity exists now. Hilton is slated to start for LSU, and if the bowl game was any indication, he has a good relationship with Nussmeier.
Touch down, LSU!!
Nussmeier with a DIME for Chris Hilton and we have a tie 28-28 4:44 3Q pic.twitter.com/pTICJdlm5D
— Matthew Brune (@MatthewBrune_) January 1, 2024
Nussmeier praised Hilton after this performance.
“He did a great job. I’m super proud of Chris.”@LSUfootball Garrett Nussmeier on wide receiver Chris Hilton Jr. and his first #LSU Start as quarterback.
“It was a wild ride, but I was ready. And I’m very grateful.” pic.twitter.com/HGdJt1FVSg
— Jacques Doucet (@JacquesDoucet) January 2, 2024
According to PFF, Hilton’s two highest-graded games of 2023 were his last two. This strong finish could be an indication of more to come in 2024.
With Daniels gone, LSU needs to find a way to make big plays. A receiver with Hilton’s size on the outside who can fly is one way to do that.
Nearly 40% of Hilton’s targets in 2023 were long balls. This fall, he’ll be tasked with becoming a more complete pass catcher, but his ability to catch the ball will be crucial to LSU’s offense.
Lacy is the favorite to be LSU’s No. 1 target, but Hilton should also be in the conversation. Hilton’s yards per route run were just ahead of Lacy in 2023, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if Hilton puts it all together to have an all-conference season.
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