Name: Jyaire Hill
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 185 lbs.
High school: Kankakee (IL) Kankakee
Position: Cornerback
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #20
Last year: I ranked Hill #55 and said he would be a backup cornerback (LINK). He made 8 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss in four games.
TTB Rating: 88
Hill was a very talented freshman in 2023, but the Wolverines had a few cornerbacks who could get the job done, including Will Johnson, Josh Wallace, and Mike Sainristil. Fellow freshman D.J. Waller also came in ready to play and passed up Hill on the depth chart. According to Sam Webb, Hill's maturity was a bit of an issue in his first year and he wasn't ready to play from a mental standpoint. Michigan does some complicated things with its coverages and Hill wasn't in his playbook enough.
For what it's worth, the good news is that Hill preserved his redshirt, so now he can be a starting cornerback at Michigan through 2028! Word out of camp is that Hill is ahead of Albany transfer Aamir Hall on the depth chart and will start the season opener opposite Will Johnson. While I like Hill's upside - thus the TTB Rating of 88 - it's nice to have a seasoned veteran in Hall to come off the bench or rotate in when possible. Once Michigan gets past those three, it will be interesting to see who steps in as the #4 cornerback. The next most experienced guys would be UNLV transfer Ricky Johnson and veteran Michigan player Ja'Den McBurrows. There might be some rough moments for Hill, but he's physical, confident, and athletic.
Prediction: Starting cornerback; 25 tackles, 2 interceptions
Ha. Well I'll take the under starting through 2028. Hopefully Hill is off to the NFL before then! The redshirt is probably going to be moot. But let's not get ahead of ourselves.
ReplyDeleteAll the buzz seems strong with Hill and the talent was hyped up even last year. Waller passing him looked concerning but Hill holding off Hall to win a starting job looks VERY promising.
Hill is going to get tested A LOT this year. Texas is going to be a trial by fire. Hopefully he is ready.
Exciting opportunity here. Maybe a rough start - I'll need to remind myself early - but I can see him being a quality second option, and promising as CB1 next year
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