Villanova Football Adds National Champion Deep Threat Receiver

Villanova Football added a national champion to their 2026 roster on Monday, March 30 in the form of Wisconsin-River Falls wide receiver Jake Hilton. Hilton, a rising redshirt junior, snagged 34 passes for 709 yards and seven touchdowns last season, helping the Falcons claim a D-III national championship.

A 6-foot-5, 206 pound deep threat, Hilton had the best game of his career in the national quarterfinals, catching three passes for 126 yards and a pair of touchdowns. His combination of size and clutch ability should have whoever starts at quarterback for Villanova next season extremely happy.

He managed to score in bunches throughout his Falcons career, with seven of 37 catches in 2023 and two of seven catches in 2024 — a season he played just one game due to injury — finding the end zone. Per Hilton’s Twitter (X) account, he can run a 4.4 second 40-yard dash and has a 39 inch vertical, the type of natural ability that will help smooth his transition to Division I football.

Hilton served as the Falcons’ No. 2 receiver, taking the top off opposing defenses and adding a dynamic threat downfield. His combination of size and speed could make him a bona fide No. 1 as he continues to develop… and as an Arizona native who played postseason games in Wisconsin, he learned to adjust to the cold.

His addition leaves the Wildcats with roughly 13 spots to fill on their 2026 roster.