Name: Jyaire Hill
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 190 lbs.
High school: Kankakee (IL) Kankakee
Position: Cornerback
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #20
Last year: I ranked Hill #20 and said he would be a starting cornerback with 25 tackles and 2 interceptions (LINK). He started nine games and made 35 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception, and 9 pass breakups.
TTB Rating: 88
Hill had an odd season in 2024. It was both a breakout season and an odd season. He became a starter for the first time, making nine starts in a defensive backfield that had Will Johnson, Zeke Berry, and Aamir Hall. The season included his first career interception, a very nice play against Minnesota.
And then against Northwestern, he didn't start, played only seven snaps, and wore #35 in what appeared to be a disciplinary move. It's not often that a player changes numbers for a single game, but the whispers behind the scenes for the past couple years have been that Hill is extremely talented but still has some work to do with the choices he makes.
Can Hill take that next step in 2025? He should be a starter at cornerback, and he reportedly took steps forward last year with his preparation. With a good season this fall, he could potentially jump to the NFL. But if those questions persist and NFL general managers are concerned, he might have to spend another year in college in 2026. So this could be a giant swing year for Hill, and if he can lock down opposing receivers, he could be a hugely valuable asset for the Wolverines.
Prediction: Starting cornerback; 40 tackles, 2 interceptions
Big time talent, NFL body, CB1 lock down ability. Big swing in team results if he lives up to his talent and stays focused and disciplined vs continuing to make mental mistakes. Definitely deserves a top 10 spot on this list just for his upside. My guess is he hits on it and heads for NFL after the season - round 1 or 2. He saw what Will Johnson could do and how he did it.
ReplyDeleteHopefully he is health all year because while there's talent beyond Berry/Hill but nobody really proven or reliable. Not clear there's any net.
Floor is getting disciplined again and missing time. Ceiling is all american. Wide range means high value in this countdown.
Man, just a baller at times and frustrating at others
ReplyDeleteI can see having CB1 in the top1o or even top2o. But the reality is, we lost Will early last year, and then Jyaire got into trouble. Our Defense not only played well, but surged ... maybe Cornerback doesn't matter? Nah, that's goofy
CB might be the closest analog to RB on the defensive side of the ball. It used to be LB but I think this has evolved. It could also be safety. Probably depends a bit on scheme but you don't necessarily need elite talent or playmaking if you're a DB making reads and dropping into zones.
DeleteOffense and defense are fundamentally different though because the QB plays such a massive role. Defense is more about the weakest link. Among the starting 22 it's the RB that are least important (with TE not far ahead.) NFL salaries illustrate the point.
Kicker is still below RB but the gap might be narrowing.
Take AI for what it's worth but this is it's concise summary of positional value:
General Salary Tiers by Position:
Quarterback: Top players can earn $50 million or more annually.
Edge Rusher & Defensive Tackle: These positions are also highly compensated, with top earners in the $30-$40 million range.
Wide Receiver & Offensive Lineman: Top players in these positions also earn significant salaries, with recent top earners exceeding $40 million for a wide receiver and $28 million for an offensive lineman.
Cornerback & Linebacker: Top players can also see salaries in the $20 million range or higher.
Safety, Running Back, Tight End: These positions have a wider range of salaries, with top players earning in the high single-digit or low double-digit millions.
Kicker, Punter, Long Snapper, Fullback: These specialist roles typically have the lowest average salaries, often in the low single-digit millions.
MAN IF ONLY I HAD AN EXAMPLE OF A CB GOING MISSING AND THE DEFENSE COLLAPSING. SIGH....
Deletehttps://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore/_/gameId/401247309
https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore/_/gameId/401247324
LOL. AMBRY THOMAS SITS OUT AND WE'RE DOWN TO GRAY/GREEN AT CB TO THE POINT THAT ROTATION IS COMPLETELY ABANDONED BY INDIANA. PAIGE AS A TRUE FRESHMAN THROWN INTO TOP 5.
https://mgoblog.com/content/preview-2020-cornerback
https://touch-the-banner.com/2020-season-countdown-2-ambry-thomas/
#HIU
Haha, lAnKt0bY got bored on opening weekend, with tons of good games on. Poor guy doesn't know what he's looking at, and resorts to AI
DeletePATHETIC