Ronnie Hillman is the Best College Running Back You Haven't Heard Of

Ronnie Hillman, the sophomore phenom running back for the San Diego State Aztecs, excited Aztecs fans last year with one of the most impressive freshman seasons in recent memory.

As a freshman, Hillman broke Marshall Faulk's freshman rushing record at San Diego State with 1,532 yards. Hillman's rushing total also eclipsed the Mountain West Conference freshman rushing record. Following Hillman's outstanding freshman season, why hasn't there been more national fanfare regarding the 5'10", 192-pound star? 

In a recent interview with Fox Sports, Hillman voiced his opinion on the matter. Hillman said, "Guys like Kellen Moore and Andy Dalton, they've been doing it for a while and they've been overlooked for the past three years. They do get overlooked…they get downplayed because of the conference."

Fans of BCS conference teams may point at the Mountain West and say that the competition is watered down. However, Hillman proved that he could perform in big games last year. In a narrow loss at Missouri, Hillman ran for 228 yards and two touchdowns, including a 93-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to put the Aztecs up by one. 

Hillman saved his best performance for last. Against Navy in the Poinsettia Bowl, Hillman once again ran for 228 yards. He also scored three touchdowns on the ground and caught another from Ryan Lindley. Hillman's MVP performance led the Aztecs to their first postseason victory since the 1969 Pasadena Bowl.

To get the national attention that he deserves, Hillman will have to replicate his freshman season at the very least. This season may be much tougher for Hillman, due to the loss of star receivers Vincent Brown and DeMarco Sampson to the NFL. Consequently, the passing game is expected to take a hit, resulting in defenses keying on Hillman.

With the loss of head coach Brady Hoke and offensive coordinator Al Borges, there has been talk of the offense struggling this season. However, with Rocky Long installed as the head coach, the Aztecs have some continuity.

Additionally, Hillman and Lindley both have gone on record as saying that new offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig has kept the offense similar to the same offense Borges ran last year.

In an effort to combat the beating that Hillman will face in the upcoming season, he packed on 16 pounds during the offseason. While some observers may believe that the added weight will slow him down, the reports out of camp are that Hillman is even more explosive than he was last year.

Some media outlets have touted Hillman as a dark horse Heisman candidate, but he still hasn't garnered nearly enough love from the media.

Hillman will continue to fly under the radar until September 24. San Diego State's matchup against Michigan on September 24 features a great storyline: SDSU facing off against their former coach, Brady Hoke.

The game against Michigan will be Hillman's opportunity to show the country how talented he is. Unfortunately, Hoke knows better than anyone just how great Hillman is. Hoke will try his best to contain Hillman, but Hillman will likely be too amped up for the game to let the Michigan defense stop him.

The Michigan game should serve as a springboard to superstar status for Ronnie Hillman. Once the country sees Hillman's 4.39 40 speed, power and elusiveness in action against Michigan, he will finally get the attention that he deserves.