He played college football for the San Diego State Aztecs, earning third-team All-American honors as a sophomore in 2011.

He was selected by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 2012 NFL draft and was a member of their team that won Super Bowl 50.

[1][2] Growing up in nearby Compton, he played football in a sports league operated by the rapper Snoop Dogg for inner-city youths,[3][4] and was on an all-star team with fellow future NFL player De'Anthony Thomas.

During his early years, Hillman highlighted his talents while attending La Habra High School, lettering in basketball, football, and track.

[7] He eventually signed with San Diego State University (SDSU) to play for its Aztecs football team.

He took the year off, moved to Atlanta, worked as a waiter at an Applebee's restaurant, and studied for, retook and passed his college-entrance exam, which allowed him to enroll at SDSU.

[13] As a sophomore in 2011, Hillman was named a third-team All-American by the Associated Press,[14] and earned his second straight first-team All-MWC selection.

He ranked fourth among all players in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision with an average of 131.6 rushing yards per game.

[37] Unfortunately, a sprained foot sustained during the Broncos' Week 10 win over the Oakland Raiders forced him to miss almost all of the remaining matches of the football season.

[42] In Week 17, his 23-yard touchdown run broke a tie late in the comeback victory over the San Diego Chargers, helping the Broncos finish the season 12–4 and secure the AFC's top seed for the ensuing playoffs.