Background and career
Ronald Keith Ryan Hillman Jr. (September 14, 1991 – December 21, 2022) was an American professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). 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. Hillman later spent time with the Minnesota Vikings, San Diego Chargers, and Dallas Cowboys.
Hillman was born on September 14, 1991, in Long Beach, California. Growing up in nearby Compton, he played football in a sports league operated by the rapper Snoop Dogg for inner-city youths, and was on an all-star team with fellow future NFL player De'Anthony Thomas. He has four brothers and one sister. During his early years, Hillman highlighted his talents while attending La Habra High School, lettering in basketball, football, and track. In high school football, he played as a running back. In 2008, he was named Southwest Division offensive player of the year after helping lead the Highlanders to the CIF Southern Section Southwest Division championship crown in a season where he amassed 1,615 yards and 20 touchdowns. As a senior in 2009, he was selected MVP of the Freeway League as he accounted for 2,104 all-purpose yards (1,251 rushing yards with 14 touchdowns) and 27 total touchdowns all-purpose yards and led the Highlanders to a 12–2 record and to the 2009 CIF Southern Section Southwest Division title after going 5–0 in the Freeway League and winning the 2009 Freeway League championship. His performance earned him first-team All-County honors by the Orange County Register. Following his senior season, Hillman was ranked by most recruiting analysts as a "three-star prospect" and considered joining Colorado State, San Diego State, and Fresno State to play college football. He eventually signed with San Diego State University (SDSU) to play for its Aztecs football team.
Hillman sat out the 2009 season while SDSU sorted out administrative issues involving his admission. 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.
As a freshman in 2010, Hillman gained 1,532 yards and scored 17 rushing touchdowns. On September 18, 2010, he gained 228 rushing yards against Missouri in his third college football game. He was named the freshman of the year of the Mountain West Conference (MWC) and was voted a freshman All-American by several publications.
As a sophomore in 2011, Hillman was named a third-team All-American by the Associated Press, and earned his second straight first-team All-MWC selection. He rushed for 1,711 yards and 19 touchdowns during the season. He ranked fourth among all players in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision with an average of 131.6 rushing yards per game. He ranked third in total rushing yards. He gained over 100 rushing yards in eight of San Diego State's 12 games in 2011. On September 17, 2011, the San Diego State Aztecs faced the 2–0 undefeated Washington State Cougars at Qualcomm Stadium. Hillman scored on four touchdown runs, leading the Aztecs to a 42–24 victory and their first 3–0 start in 30 years. On October 29, 2011, he gained a season-high 224 yards against Wyoming for 2 touchdowns, including a 99-yard touchdown run.
In January 2012, Hillman announced that he had hired an agent and would be entering the 2012 NFL draft.
Sources
Net-worth figure: Celebrity Net Worth (October 2026), in USD. Biography and career facts: the person's Wikipedia article and linked reporting. Snapshot date for all StarWorth figures: 28 October 2026.
