Michigan Football: 5 Wolverines who will break out on defense

Daxton Hill will emerge right away

While it’s hard to come in and make an instant impact as a freshman at a program like Michigan, especially with a ton of already talented players on the defense, but that’s exactly what Hill will do next season.

The 6-foot defensive back, who could see time at both safety and corner for the Wolverines, is likely the most talented player Michigan football will have on the backend since Jabrill Peppers and Hill could be used in a similar fashion.

While Peppers eventually moved into the viper role, he was first used by Harbaugh as a slot corner, kind of like Charles Woodson when he was with the Packers and that seems like the best way to utilize Hill.

Michigan has a starting safety spot open and I expect Hill to fill that, however, the Wolverines shouldn’t waste his talent by playing him in the same spot. As a nickel corner, he can provide run support, blitz off the edge and coverage. He’s a versatile athlete, one that could even see time on offense and the Wolverines should use him accordingly.

Michigan desperately needs more guys like Hill and that was apparent in the loss to Ohio State and that more than anything is why the Wolverines need the freshman on the field right away, in a few different roles. If Hill is given that chance, his impact on UM’s defense should be immediate.