Hilbers Using Experience, Consistency To Prepare For 2019 Season
August 29, 2019 | Football
By Jack Larkin
Through spring and summer practices in 2018, then-junior Jared Hilbers was preparing to be the backup tackle for Trey Adams and Kaleb McGary, two All-Pac-12 caliber players seemingly entrenched in their roles.
But when a back injury struck Adams before the season began, Hilbers was thrust into the starting position at left tackle. Ready or not, he would be starting in the team's first game of the 2018 season.
Unlike most season openers, this wasn't just a regular game. The Huskies faced off against Auburn in a nationally televised game in front of 70,000 fans inside the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
"It was a super cool experience," Hilbers said about his first start. "Something that I will always remember."
Most players would be nervous about a big game like this, especially for your first career start. It would be easy to think about the cameras, the rankings, and season-long implications of such a coveted matchup.
But Hilbers isn't like most players.
Rather than seeing the bright lights and the pressure that comes with playing on such a big stage, Hilbers saw the value in the details, particularly the snaps against a high-caliber team.
"Getting consistent game reps, especially in a game like that, is always good for you," said Hilbers.
Consistency is key in more ways than just game reps, especially on the offensive line. And when it comes to consistency, no one is better than Hilbers.
He is consistently available. He is consistently willing to do what the team needs. And he is consistently versatile.
"Whether it's the weight room – where he is one of the strongest guys there, certainly one of our best offensive linemen – he's always doing a great job," said coach Scott Huff, who is in his third season of leading the offensive line. "Stepping in without expecting to step in and play, he did a really good job."
Hilbers is especially valuable for his ability to play anywhere along the trenches. This versatility has made the offensive lineman no stranger to adjustments. After suiting up during the 2018 season on the left side of the offensive line, he will be tasked with starting at the right tackle position this fall.
And when it comes to shifting players to different positions, Coach Huff is confident in Hilbers' ability to move around the line.
"We know he can be a really good player because he has shown it consistently day-in and day-out. He's good," said Huff.
Hilbers exuded a similar confidence about moving along the line, saying, "No big deal. No big deal at all."
It is this confidence that helped the former starter at left tackle find his footing so quickly last year and now allows him to remain focused on the team's big goals. Currently, he is fixated on his last season in the Purple and Gold, particularly on another Pac-12 title.
"(It's) a new opportunity this year," said Hilbers. "Another chance to grab a title before I'm out of here."
Hilbers is able to be confident and consistent in his play because of his dedication to the system of UW football.
"Jared's definitely more of a quiet, get-the-job-done type of guy, he has come so far, even just in the time I've been here, not only as a football player but more importantly as a person," said Huff. "I think you see his confidence has gotten better and better each and every day."
Don't let his confidence fool you though. Hilbers doesn't take his experience for granted. Not much has changed for the senior, even after playing multiple positions and starting 11 games for the Huskies.
"We prepare the same way as if we were all brand new," said Hilbers.
While his preparation hasn't been altered much since his first year at UW, there is one change the Beaverton, Oregon product has embraced this year. He has become a mentor for the younger linesmen.
"They're putting in the work. The older guys and I are making sure that they're staying committed to what they're doing." said Hilbers. "We know he standard and we make sure we teach them what it is."
"I really appreciate how much he has grown since he has been here, especially his confidence," said Huff about Hilbers' leadership role. "He might not always be the loudest guy, but he is definitely doing a lot for the Huskies."
After that first game against Auburn in 2018, Hilbers would go on to play in some even bigger games for UW.
"The Rose Bowl was cool," said Hilbers. "Playing UCLA there was definitely helpful for us because we knew the vibe going into it. And then going back, everything was full instead of half full. That was a pretty cool experience.
"The Rose Bowl is the Rose Bowl, they treat it like a national championship over here on the west coast."
In his four years on the team so far, the Huskies have competed in four bowl games including a College Football Playoff game. But these games don't stand out to Hilbers as much as the Pac-12 conference titles.
"My favorite memories have to be the two title games, obviously. Hopefully we can get a third."
The redshirt senior's eagerness to make more memories and win another Pac-12 championship in his final season as a Husky is clear, but he also recognizes the impact every game can have on the team's lofty goals. Hilbers knows better than most the impact that the details can have.
"We just take it one game at a time," he said. "We have to win each one to get what we want."
Huff is just as excited to watch his redshirt senior lineman reach his goals and continue improving for another season with the Huskies.
"He just keeps getting better and better every day, it's been really fun to watch."
Hilbers went from backup offensive linesman to Pac-12 championship and Rose Bowl starter in one season. He knows what it takes to succeed and no matter what happens, Hilbers is going to make the most of this season at UW.
"I'm going to give it my all," he said. "I'm not going to leave with anything else left in me."
Through spring and summer practices in 2018, then-junior Jared Hilbers was preparing to be the backup tackle for Trey Adams and Kaleb McGary, two All-Pac-12 caliber players seemingly entrenched in their roles.
But when a back injury struck Adams before the season began, Hilbers was thrust into the starting position at left tackle. Ready or not, he would be starting in the team's first game of the 2018 season.
Unlike most season openers, this wasn't just a regular game. The Huskies faced off against Auburn in a nationally televised game in front of 70,000 fans inside the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
"It was a super cool experience," Hilbers said about his first start. "Something that I will always remember."
Most players would be nervous about a big game like this, especially for your first career start. It would be easy to think about the cameras, the rankings, and season-long implications of such a coveted matchup.
But Hilbers isn't like most players.
Rather than seeing the bright lights and the pressure that comes with playing on such a big stage, Hilbers saw the value in the details, particularly the snaps against a high-caliber team.
"Getting consistent game reps, especially in a game like that, is always good for you," said Hilbers.
Consistency is key in more ways than just game reps, especially on the offensive line. And when it comes to consistency, no one is better than Hilbers.
He is consistently available. He is consistently willing to do what the team needs. And he is consistently versatile.
"Whether it's the weight room – where he is one of the strongest guys there, certainly one of our best offensive linemen – he's always doing a great job," said coach Scott Huff, who is in his third season of leading the offensive line. "Stepping in without expecting to step in and play, he did a really good job."
Hilbers is especially valuable for his ability to play anywhere along the trenches. This versatility has made the offensive lineman no stranger to adjustments. After suiting up during the 2018 season on the left side of the offensive line, he will be tasked with starting at the right tackle position this fall.
And when it comes to shifting players to different positions, Coach Huff is confident in Hilbers' ability to move around the line.
"We know he can be a really good player because he has shown it consistently day-in and day-out. He's good," said Huff.
Hilbers exuded a similar confidence about moving along the line, saying, "No big deal. No big deal at all."
It is this confidence that helped the former starter at left tackle find his footing so quickly last year and now allows him to remain focused on the team's big goals. Currently, he is fixated on his last season in the Purple and Gold, particularly on another Pac-12 title.
"(It's) a new opportunity this year," said Hilbers. "Another chance to grab a title before I'm out of here."
Hilbers is able to be confident and consistent in his play because of his dedication to the system of UW football.
"Jared's definitely more of a quiet, get-the-job-done type of guy, he has come so far, even just in the time I've been here, not only as a football player but more importantly as a person," said Huff. "I think you see his confidence has gotten better and better each and every day."
Don't let his confidence fool you though. Hilbers doesn't take his experience for granted. Not much has changed for the senior, even after playing multiple positions and starting 11 games for the Huskies.
"We prepare the same way as if we were all brand new," said Hilbers.
While his preparation hasn't been altered much since his first year at UW, there is one change the Beaverton, Oregon product has embraced this year. He has become a mentor for the younger linesmen.
"They're putting in the work. The older guys and I are making sure that they're staying committed to what they're doing." said Hilbers. "We know he standard and we make sure we teach them what it is."
"I really appreciate how much he has grown since he has been here, especially his confidence," said Huff about Hilbers' leadership role. "He might not always be the loudest guy, but he is definitely doing a lot for the Huskies."
After that first game against Auburn in 2018, Hilbers would go on to play in some even bigger games for UW.
"The Rose Bowl was cool," said Hilbers. "Playing UCLA there was definitely helpful for us because we knew the vibe going into it. And then going back, everything was full instead of half full. That was a pretty cool experience.
"The Rose Bowl is the Rose Bowl, they treat it like a national championship over here on the west coast."
In his four years on the team so far, the Huskies have competed in four bowl games including a College Football Playoff game. But these games don't stand out to Hilbers as much as the Pac-12 conference titles.
"My favorite memories have to be the two title games, obviously. Hopefully we can get a third."
The redshirt senior's eagerness to make more memories and win another Pac-12 championship in his final season as a Husky is clear, but he also recognizes the impact every game can have on the team's lofty goals. Hilbers knows better than most the impact that the details can have.
"We just take it one game at a time," he said. "We have to win each one to get what we want."
Huff is just as excited to watch his redshirt senior lineman reach his goals and continue improving for another season with the Huskies.
"He just keeps getting better and better every day, it's been really fun to watch."
Hilbers went from backup offensive linesman to Pac-12 championship and Rose Bowl starter in one season. He knows what it takes to succeed and no matter what happens, Hilbers is going to make the most of this season at UW.
"I'm going to give it my all," he said. "I'm not going to leave with anything else left in me."
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