He played college football at Oklahoma State, before being selected by the New England Patriots in the sixth round of the 2007 NFL draft.

Hilliard was also a member of the Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, and New York Jets.

[1] Hilliard was selected in the sixth round of the 2007 NFL draft to the New England Patriots.

[8] For the 2009 NFL season, Hilliard left the Colts,[9] and joined the Cleveland Browns.

[11][12] Despite not playing a game for the Lions, Hilliard was resigned as an exclusive free agent for the 2010 NFL season.