Hilton made his first career start on October 6, 2012, against Texas A&M, finishing with three solo tackles, a forced fumble, and two sacks of Aggies quarterback Johnny Manziel as the Rebels lost 27–30.

[2] Hilton started the Ole Miss Rebels' season-opener against Vanderbilt at their "Huskie" position (hybrid strong safety).

[2] As a senior, Hilton was given the #38 jersey This number holds special significance at Ole Miss and is only given to a player who embodies the spirit of former Rebels defensive back Chucky Mullins, who in 1989 became paralyzed after making a head-first tackle that shattered four vertebrae in his cervical spine.

[5] In a 73–22 victory over Fresno State in Week 2, Hilton collected six combined tackles (one for a loss), a forced fumble, and half a sack while starting at rover.

Coming out of Ole Miss, Hilton was projected to go undrafted and be a priority free agent by the majority of NFL draft experts and scouts.

Team representatives and scouts from all 32 NFL teams were present at Ole Miss' pro day to scout one of the most talented groups in school history, one that included Hilton, Laquon Treadwell, Laremy Tunsil, Robert Nkemdiche, Cody Core, Chad Kelly, Evan Engram, Fahn Cooper and ten other prospects.

[10] Throughout training camp, Hilton competed with Aaron Colvin, Dwayne Gratz, Peyton Thompson, Josh Johnson, Demetrius McCray, Briean Boddy-Calhoun, and Nick Marshall for a job as a backup cornerback.

[17] He made his regular season debut during the Steelers' 18–17 season-opening victory over the Cleveland Browns and finished the game with two combined tackles.

[18] On December 25, 2017, Hilton recorded six solo tackles as well as three sacks on Houston Texans quarterbacks T. J. Yates and Taylor Heinicke during the Steelers' 34–6 victory, earning him American Football Conference (AFC) Defensive Player of the Week honors.

[23] Head coach Mike Tomlin retained Hilton as the primary nickelback to begin the regular season and also named him the fifth backup cornerback, behind Haden, Artie Burns, Coty Sensabaugh, and Cameron Sutton.

[27] In Week 8 against the Miami Dolphins, Hilton forced a fumble on running back Mark Walton which was recovered by teammate Steven Nelson in the 27–14 win.

[28] In Week 15 against the Buffalo Bills, Hilton recovered a fumble forced by teammate T. J. Watt on running back Devin Singletary during the 10–17 loss.

[30] In Week 2 against the Denver Broncos, Hilton led the team with eight tackles, recorded his first sack of the season on Jeff Driskel, and recovered a fumble during the 26–21 win.

[33] In Week 14 against the Bills, Hilton intercepted a pass thrown by Josh Allen and forced a fumble on Dawson Knox that was recovered by the Steelers during the 15–26 loss.

[40] Hilton made a crucial third-quarter interception in the Divisional Round game against the Tennessee Titans, which the Bengals won on their path to Super Bowl LVI, where they lost 23–20 to the Los Angeles Rams.