Lex Hilliard Lex Douglas Hilliard ( born July 30 , 1984 ) is an American football running back and fullback for the New York Jets of the National Football League ( NFL ) . He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft . He played college football at Montana . Early years . Hilliard attended and played high school football at Flathead High School in Kalispell , Montana . During his sophomore year , he set a school record with 1 , 384 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns . During his time at Flathead , he was a three - time all - state and all - conference selection , as well as team captain his final two seasons . He finished his career with 3 , 419 rushing yards , 4 , 410 all - purpose yards and 44 touchdowns — all school records . Hilliard also earned three letters in track and one in wrestling . He competed in the 100 , 200 and 4x100 meter relay as well as the shot put , earning two all - league selections . College career . As a true freshman at the University of Montana in 2003 , Hilliard was originally going to redshirt but was activated for the second game of the season . His 590 rushing yards ranked ninth in the Big Sky Conference that season . Despite starting just four games as a sophomore in 2004 , Hilliard rushed for a team - leading 972 yards and 17 touchdowns on his way to earning first - team All - Big Sky honors . He posted five 100 - yard rushing games during the season , and his 17 touchdowns were best in the conference . Hilliard earned first - team All - Big Sky honors for the second straight season , as well as being named a finalist for the Walter Payton Award , as a junior in 2005 after rushing for 1 , 322 yards . His rushing total ranked 19th in the nation and second in school history behind only Yohance Humphery in 2001 . He had six 100 - yard games during the season , including a 237 - yard performance against Cal Poly which was the second - highest single - game rushing total in school history . In 2006 , Hilliard was redshirted after suffering a season - ending Achilles tendon injury . Hilliard returned to the field as a fifth - year senior in 2007 , appearing in 11 games for the Grizzlies . He rushed for 1 , 132 yards and 16 touchdowns on his way to second - team All - Big Sky honors . He topped the 100 - yard rushing plateau seven times during the season . During his five - year career at Montana , Hilliard racked up 4 , 106 rushing yards and 50 touchdowns on 5 . 0 average . He also added 57 receptions for 591 yards and two touchdowns . Professional career . Pre - draft . Following his collegiate career , Hilliard was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine . At his Pro Day on March 19 , he measured in at 5 - foot - 11¼ and 234 pounds . He ran the 40 - yard dash in 4 . 66 seconds , short shuttle in 4 . 03 seconds and cone drill in 6 . 93 seconds . He also had a 36½ - inch vertical leap and a 10 - foot , three - inch long jump . In early April , it was reported that Hilliard was scheduled to visit with the New York Giants . Miami Dolphins . Hilliard was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the sixth round ( 204th overall ) of the 2008 NFL Draft . On May 19 , he signed a four - year contract with the Dolphins . Viewed as a fullback / tailback hybrid , Hilliard stated he had no preference on where he played . In the 2008 preseason , Hilliard finished third on the team with 68 rushing yards on a 2 . 8 - yard average . He also caught three passes for 24 yards . On August 30 , the team waived Hilliard during final cuts . He was re - signed to the practice squad the following day . After spending the entire 2008 season on the practice squad , Hilliard was re - signed on January 5 , 2009 . In week 11 of the 2009 season Hillard was given the backup running back role behind Ricky Williams due to the foot injury to Ronnie Brown . Minnesota Vikings . Hilliard signed with the Minnesota Vikings on March 18 , 2012 . On August 31 , 2012 as the Vikings reduced their roster down to league maximum of 53 players , he was released . New England Patriots . On September 4 , 2012 , Hilliard signed with the New England Patriots . He was released on September 19 , 2012 . During his short tenure with the Patriots , Hilliard played in two games recording one rush attempt for two yards . New York Jets . Hillard was signed by the New York Jets on October 2 , 2012 .