South Carolina football commitment Ryan Hilinski picked up a national honor Monday.
Hilinski won the Sam B. Nicola Award presented annually by the Touchdown Club of Columbus, Ohio. The award, named for the Club’s founder, the late Sam B. Nicola, is presented to the National High School Football Player of the Year. Past winners include Emmitt Smith, Joe Mauer, and current Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen.
Hilinski threw for 2,771 yards and 29 touchdowns in helping Orange Lutheran (Calif.) to a playoff appearance. The future Gamecock faced five nationally-ranked teams this season.
Hilinski threw a career-high touchdown passes against Heritage on Sept.