Dontrell Hilliard


Dontrell Hilliard is an American football running back and return specialist for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He played college football at Tulane, and signed as an undrafted free agent with the Browns in 2018.

Early years

Hillard attended and played high school football at Scotlandville Magnet High School. He received offers from Tulane and Oklahoma State before committing to the Green Wave.

College career

While at Tulane, Hilliard rushed for 2,948 yards and 30 touchdowns and caught 70 passes for 740 and four touchdowns over the course of four seasons. As a senior, Hilliard was third in the American Athletic Conference with 1,091 rushing yards and rushed for 12 touchdowns and was named second team All-AAC.

Professional career

Hilliard signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent on May 4, 2018. Hilliard was signed to the Browns practice squad on September 2, 2018 after not making the 53-man roster out of training camp. Hilliard was promoted to the Browns' active roster on October 9, 2018. Hilliard made his NFL debut on October 14 against the Los Angeles Chargers, returning one kick for 31 yards and recording a tackle on special teams. In his rookie season, Hilliard caught nine passes for 105 yards and returned 11 kicks for 264 yards, as well as making three tackles on special teams, in 11 games played.
Hillard scored his first touchdown on a four-yard run, the first carry of his professional career, on Week 1 of the 2019 season against the Tennessee Titans. He was placed on injured reserve on December 24, 2019. Overall, he appeared in 14 games in the 2019 season. He recorded 13 carries for 49 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns to go along with 12 receptions for 92 receiving yards and led the team with 421 kickoff return yards and 107 punt return yards. Hilliard was tendered by the Browns for the 2020 season. He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on July 26, 2020.

NFL statistics