| Has developed from special teams contributor to starting linebacker over his two years in the league. Has played in 29 consecutive games, including all 16 games in 2004 with 11 starts between 2 positions. Entered the NFL as a fifth-round selection (166th overall) by Green Bay in the 2003 NFL Draft. Waived by the Packers following the opening week of the 2003 season and signed with the Bears practice squad (9/13/03) before being elevated to the active roster Oct. 2, 2003.
2004 SEASON: Appeared in all 16 games and started 11 after bursting onto scene while subbing for Brian Urlacher at MLB in Games 3-4... Started Games 3-4, 10-11, 14-16 at MLB and Games 5, 8-9 and 12 at SLB... Led team in tackles in 2 games while recording career-bests 90 tackles and 2.5 sacks... Ranked 4th on Bears in tackles and tied for 5th in sacks... Added 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 1 PBU and 5 special teams tackles.
2003: Tied for 5th on Chicago with 12 special teams tackles as a rookie, playing 13 games on special teams while providing depth at LB... Joined Bears practice squad in Week 2 after being waived by Green Bay. Elevated to active roster and made his NFL debut vs. OAK (10/5).
COLLEGE: Four-year letterwinner at Vanderbilt (1999-2002) saw action in 45 games, starting the final 23 (every contest from 200-02) and tallying 249 tackles (165 solos), 6.5 sacks, 7 PDs, 4 fumble recoveries and 2 forced fumbles. Switched to MLB in a 4-3 defense for his senior season after playing 3 years at OLB in a 3-4 defense. Led the nation in tackles per game (14.0) as a senior while earning first-team All-SEC, first-team Academic All-America, and 1 of 6 Division I-A football National Scholar-Athletes. Also led the SEC and placed among the nation's leaders in total tackles (168) and solo tackles (116). Christened new position with 13 stops at Georgia Tech. Started all 11 games as a junior, finishing 2nd on Vandy with 72 tackles. As a sophomore, played in all 11 games as a reserve LB, recording 6 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 fumble recovery and 1 PD. Played all 11 games as a true freshman, contributing mostly on special teams, and totaled 3 tackles.The former TE caught a pass on a fake FG at Duke. Graduated with a double major (economics, human and organizational development) and 3.8 GPA.
PERSONAL: Two-time all-state, all-region and all-district selection at Nashville's Montgomery Bell Academy playing LB, DE, TE and P. Metro MVP and finalist for 'Mr. Football' as a senior (1998). Won state titles his senior year in football and track. Lettered 3 years in football, 3 years in track and 2 years in tennis. Worked during college with the Boys . Girls Clubs and Special Olympics. Born Hunter Taverner Hillenmeyer in Nashville. Father, Henry, owns a chain of Nashville restaurants and was on the basketball and crew teams at Yale. The youngest of 5 boys. Began playing ice hockey at age 5; coach was ex-Marine. Older brother, Taylor, played golf at the University of Miami (Fla.). |
