TY Hilton has been immortalized by his alma mater with the prestigious award on Hall of Fame enshrinement. His legacy for the FIU Panthers is secure as the greatest football player in the university’s history.
In his 4 year collegiate career, Hilton racked up:
- 229 Receptions
- 3,531 Receiving Yards (2nd in Conference History)
- 15.4 Yards per Reception
- 24 Receiving TDs
- 69 Carries
- 498 Rushing Yards
- 7 Rushing TDs
- 2/2 Passing
- 38 Passing Yards
- 1 Passing TD
- 105 Kick Returns
- 2,855 Kick Return Yards (1st in Conference History)
- 4 Kick Return TDs (1st in Conference History)
- 49 Punt Returns
- 614 Punt Return Yards (1st in Conference History)
- 2 Punt Return TDs
- 3 1,000 yard seasons
- Led Sun Belt Conference in Yards per Reception as a Freshman (24.7)
- 2010 Sun Belt Player of the Year
A clear multipurpose weapon in the collegiate game with his blazing speed and quickness being tough for many would be tacklers to keep up with. Hilton’s skills of course also translated well to the professional level, carving out a lengthy NFL career with predominantly the Colts.
“It feels great, man. It’s still a dream come true.”
TY Hilton on his FIU Hall of Fame enshrinement
This likely won’t be the last of his post-playing career honors, as Hilton is a strong candidate for the Colts Ring of Honor. The Colts just inducted the late owner Jim Irsay as the 20th enshrinement (19th person, as the 12th Man is also enshrined), but still have plenty of space around Lucas Oil Stadium. However since Hilton hasn’t officially retired as of yet from the NFL (but hasn’t been on an NFL roster since 2022 with the Cowboys), his candidacy is likely on hold.
The most recent player to be enshrined was Dallas Clark in 2024, and the most recent a Ring of Honor member has played for the Colts was in 2016 with Robert Mathis, so TY could be the first Colt to have played in the 2020s with the team and be enshrined in the Ring of Honor.
Hilton is Tied 3rd in Receptions, is 3rd in Receiving Yards, and 4th in Receiving TDs, behind two Colts Ring of Honors members in Marvin Harrison Sr and Reggie Wayne, but ahead of fellow Ring of Honor member Bill Brooks (who was the first Colts Ring of Honor player, enshrined in 1998). His leadership and mentorship of the Colts Wide Receivers was crucial for current Colts WR1 Michael Pittman Jr. and his community work in the Indianapolis community was impactful on many lives.
Further accolades to Hilton is simply a matter of when, not if.
Congratulations to TY Hilton!
