
proven Ohio State linebacker with elite instincts, but no verified Tennessee Tech DL role
Justin Hilliard is a former Ohio State linebacker known for his pursuit, instincts, and tackling—247Sports listed those as his top traits—and he signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent after the 2021 NFL Draft. The big context: he’s a battle-tested defender whose college career was shaped by injuries and perseverance, which speaks to toughness and football IQ. However, I could not verify any reliable source showing him currently on Tennessee Tech’s roster or playing defensive line, so if you’re evaluating fit, treat this as a player-profile mismatch rather than a current TTU DL report.