5 Things to Know About Vikings New RB Ronnie Hillman

Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer announced that the Vikings signed free agent running back Ronnie Hillman on Wednesday morning in his weekly press conference. The news followed Zimmer’s confirmation that Adrian Peterson will undergo surgery on his torn meniscus. Hillman was released by the Denver Broncos on Sept. 3 after four seasons with the team. The speedy halfback is excited to learn the playbook and find his role in Minnesota. Hillman had 1,842 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns through 48 regular-season games played for the Broncos. Here are five things to know about the Vikings newest running back:A Super Bowl winner Hillman was a part of the Denver Broncos 2015 Super Bowl team. The running back carried the ball five times in the big game, but his contributions to the Broncos came long before that. In 2015, Hillman rushed for 863 yards and seven touchdowns. Hillman showed the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and compiled 24 receptions for 111 yards last season. Hillman said he wants to add to the talent he sees on the Vikings team. “I’ve been [in the NFL] five years now, and I’ve seen a lot of stuff,” Hillman said. “I just came out here to help the team win and hopefully go back to a Super Bowl.”In the San Diego State record books The 5-foot-10 halfback played college football at San Diego State. Hillman started every game for the Aztecs in his two seasons at San Diego State and was first team All-MWC both seasons. Hillman rushed for 3,243 yards on 573 attempts and reached the end zone a total of 38 times. The career yardage ranks fourth in school history. His 1,532 rushing yards in in his freshman 2010 season are a Mountain West Conference and SDSU freshman record, and Hillman led the MWC in rushing touchdowns (17) that season His 38 combined touchdowns in his career there are third in school history. Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk sits first on that list with 62 touchdowns.Faced off with the Vikings last year Ronnie Hillman had the longest run of his pro career in 2015 against the Vikings. Hillman took a toss from Peyton Manning out of the pistol formation and found an opening near thesideline for a 72-yard touchdown. The play put Denver up 10-0 early in second quarter of the game and proved to be a key score in the Broncos 23-20 defeat of Minnesota. Hillman finished the game with 103 yards on the ground on 11 touches.Speed and quickness When Hillman was asked what he can bring to the Vikings his first day at Winter Park his response was his speed. As a shorter running back, Hillman has relied on his quickness to gain extra yards and he’s had spurts of success in the NFL. He was clocked at 4.45 seconds for his 40-yard dash time in the 2012 NFL Combine and was also a top performer in the vertical jump where he leaped 37.0 inches. His impressive resume as an Aztec and his combine performance led to him being drafted in the third round by the Broncos that year. Listed at 195 pounds, Hillman, is known to play with his instincts and has the ability to make defenders miss.California kid Hillman was born in Long Beach, California. He played for La Habra High and led the team to the CIF Southern Section Southwest Division title in 2008, after going 5-0 in the Freeway League and winning the 2008 Freeway League championship. He had a total 2,104 yards and 27 touchdowns rushing and receiving in his senior year. He also led the Highlanders to the 2007 CIF-SS Southwest Division championship after amassing 1,615 yards and 20 touchdowns that season. Hillman also lettered in basketball and track and field in high school.

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5 Things to Know About Vikings New RB Ronnie Hillman

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