Michigan Football: Predicting who will and won’t play in Peach Bowl

Both junior corners would be better off playing

If you watched Michigan football play all season, then you know Hill and Long are two quality corners. However, are they good enough to go in the first couple of rounds of the NFL draft?

Michigan Wolverines

That I am not sure of yet. According to the Bleacher Report, neither ranks in the top 50 overall and when you look at the top 10 corners in the class, neither Hill or Long appear there either.

Hill and Long both have great stats. This season, they were part of a pass defense that was the best in the country until the Ohio State game, when Michigan allowed six touchdown passes. Sure, the Buckeyes had a great day and a great plan, but still, Hill and Long got abused time and time again.

It was not a good look for two guys with NFL aspirations. Therefore, it would be pretty arrogant for either to sit out the Peach Bowl. If they were guaranteed first-round picks or even guaranteed second-round picks, then you could see it, but do they really want their last on-field impression to be them getting toasted by Ohio State?

With their size and lack of elite speed, scouts have to be concerned and playing a team with a ton of athletes like Florida could help rehabilitate that image a little bit. Like Higdon, these guys both have work to do on their draft stock and that’s why playing is in their best interest.

I get avoiding injuries, but you can get hurt in college All-Star games too. You can’t be afraid of getting hurt and even though I am not a draft expert, I don’t see how Hill, Long or Higdon improve their stock by sitting out.