June 20, 2011
SAN DIEGO - Rivals.com recently named San Diego State running back Ronnie Hillman and quarterback Ryan Lindley to its list of Top 100 College Football Players for 2011. Hillman was ranked 68th, while Lindley earned a No. 78 ranking.
A 5-10 sophomore, Hillman rushed for 1,532 yards and 17 touchdowns last season in leading the Mountain West and ranking No. 10 nationally. The MW Freshman of the Year was also named the 2010 Poinsettia Bowl Offensive MVP after he set a bowl record with 228 yards and four total touchdowns (three rushing, one receiving) as the Aztecs defeated Navy, 35-14. It was Hillman's sixth game with at least 150 yards rushing and his second with at least 200 yards.
Lindley, meanwhile, led the conference and was seventh in the nation with 294.6 passing yards per game. The senior completed 243 of 421 pass attempts and added 28 touchdowns for a 149.4 pass efficiency rating (second in the MWC, 21st in the nation). Lindley also led the league with 292.2 yards of total offense per game, which was 14th in the country.
SDSU is one of three schools to have more than one player ranked thus far, as Rivals.com has announced its' No. 67 through No. 100 selections as of Monday.
The Aztecs return 14 starters and seven all-conference selections for the 2011 season, which begins Sept. 3. This year's home schedule features contests against Mountain West newcomer Boise State, reigning Rose Bowl champion TCU, as well as dates with Washington State (KGB SkyShow), Fresno State, New Mexico, Wyoming and Cal Poly.