Odieu "O.J." Hiliare (born February 12, 2001) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Hiliare played college football for the Alabama A&M Bulldogs and the Bowling Green Falcons. He also had a stint in the National Football League (NFL) with the Atlanta falcons.
College career Hiliare played college football for the Alabama A&M Bulldogs from 2019 to 2021 and the Bowling Green Falcons from 2022 to 2023. He played in 22 games at Alabama A&M, recording 103 receptions, for 1,365 receiving yards and 13 receiving touchdowns. At the end of the 2021 season he entered the NCAA transfer portal, landing at Bowling Green.
In 2022, he appeared in 13 games, starting in 8, and finished with 58 catches for 747 yards and six touchdowns. Against Toledo, Hiliare set a career-high 246 receiving yards on eight receptions and two touchdowns, receiving MAC East Offensive Player of the week and setting the third-highest single game receiving yard total in team history. He earned second-team All-MAC honors in his first season at Bowling Green.
Hiliare played in all 13 games, starting in 10, registering 45 receptions for 532 yards and four touchdowns. In the 2023 Quick Lane Bowl against Minnesota, he had 10 catches for 152 yards and one touchdown. He was included in the third-team All-MAC team at the end of the 2023 season.
Statistics Year Team Games Receiving 2019 Alabama A&M 10 1 14 214 15.3 0 2020 Alabama A&M 4 1 17 233 13.7 4 2021 Alabama A&M 10 10 71 918 12.9 9 2022 Bowling Green 13 9 58 747 12.9 6 2023 Bowling Green 13 10 45 532 11.8 4 FCS totals 24 12 102 1,365 13.4 13 FBS totals 26 19 103 1,279 12.4 10
Professional career
Atlanta Falcons After not being selected in the 2024 NFL draft, Hiliare signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent. He was released on August 27, 2024, ahead of the roster cut deadline.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats On September 17, 2024, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed Hiliare to the practice roster. He was released on October 26. On November 20, he re-signed with the team. On June 1, 2025, the Tiger-Cats released Hiliare.
Edmonton Elks On August 19, 2025, the Edmonton Elks signed Hiliare to the practice roster. He was promoted to the active roster on August 27. Hiliare made his professional debut against the Calgary Stampeders on September 1, 2025, in the Labour Day Classic, where he recorded three catches for 23 yards.
Career statistics CFL Year Team Games Receiving 2025 EDM 8 8 32 400 12.5 44 0 Career 8 8 32 400 12.5 44 0
References
External links Edmonton Elks bio Bowling Green Falcons bio Alabama A&M Bulldogs bio