The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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THE WOLVERINE 2019 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 113 DEFENSIVE BACKS FYI Although the departed David Long ranked highly in pass coverage by Pro Football Focus and led the nation among cornerbacks with at least 250 coverage snaps in coverage snaps per reception (32.8), senior Lavert Hill checked in at No. 15 on that list (17.8). Incoming freshman Daxton Hill's brother, Justice Hill, was drafted by Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh's brother, John, and the Baltimore Ravens in April. The former Oklahoma State running back went in the fourth round after rushing for 3,539 yards in three seasons with the Cowboys and proving to be one of the top performers regardless of position at the NFL Combine — and Daxton may be even more athletic. Juniors and top backups Ambry Thomas and Jaylen Kelly-Powell are cousins, but they never played together in high school. Thomas played on the same team as Lavert Hill at Detroit Martin Luther King, while Kelly-Powell played for Cass Tech. Michigan allowed fewer passing yards per game in 2018 than 2017, when they ranked first nation- ally, but finished second in the Football Bowl Subdivision after giving up a clip of 147.8 per contest. The squad's 11 interceptions (nine of which were snared by defensive backs) tied for No. 59 na- tionally — but they did return four for scores. third year under Zordich. He started coming on between the middle to end of last season and has continued to ascend. "He started figuring out what he can and can't do, really understanding our tech- nique and showing patience at the line of scrimmage. He knows he has the oppor- tunity to start," Zordich explained. "He's really embraced that role and is becoming a leader in our room. He's been great all around." After Hill and Thomas are plenty of unknowns — with lots of potential. Gray might have been one of the spring's pleas- ant surprises after playing in two total games last year, including one as a defen- sive back at Rutgers. He was able to hold on to his redshirt and still has four years of eligibility remaining. "This Vincent Gray is going to be a real guy," defensive coordinator Don Brown said near the end of spring ball. In Brown vernacular, "guy" is right up there with "dude" as the ultimate compli- ment he can pay. Gray has the size (6-2, 184) and speed to become an outstanding corner; all he needs now is the experience. Senior safety Josh Metellus called him one of the fast risers of the spring, noting he was doing a great job of "stepping up to the role" after being an afterthought in much of his first year. "You just watch him move physically … he is a very gifted guy. Just watch his move- ments, and now he's putting it all together with his play," Zordich said. "It's pretty impressive. The sky's the limit for that kid." Kelly-Powell, meanwhile, is working at both corner and nickel after spending plenty of time at safety last year. Brown said there were 16 or 17 players he would fully trust coming out of spring ball and several others on the fringe. Kelly-Powell was among the latter, but he's moving up. The junior has played in 17 career games, in- cluding two at safety last year and two at cornerback as a rookie. He posted three tackles in seven appear- ances last season, but still has work to do in order to see the field consistently. "He's really slowed things down in his mind and had a great spring. He was com- peting and making great plays on the foot- ball," Zordich said. "I enjoy having him in the room." QUICK FACTS Position Coaches: Mike Zordich, cornerbacks (fifth season); Chris Partridge, safeties (fourth season, second with DBs). Returning Starters: CB Lavert Hill (25 career starts), SS Josh Metellus (25), FS J'Marick Woods (1), Nickel Brad Hawkins (1). Departing Starters: CB David Long (26), FS Tyree Kinnel (26). Projected New Starter: CB Ambry Thomas. Top Reserves: CB Vincent Gray, S Daxton Hill. Wait Until 2020: CB Jalen Perry, CB Gemon Green, S German Green, S Sammy Faustin, CB D.J. Turner. Newcomers: Daxton Hill, Perry, Turner, S Quinten John- son, S Joey Velazquez. Moved In: None. Moved Out: CB Benjamin St-Juste (transferred to Minnesota), CB Myles Sims (transferred to Georgia Tech). Rookie Impact: Daxton Hill. Most Improved Player: Thomas. Best Pro Prospects: Lavert Hill, Daxton Hill. Lavert Hill could have left for the NFL Draft and may have been drafted even higher than classmate David Long, a third-round pick, but he returned and enters the season ranked as the No. 5 senior cornerback nation- ally by ESPN expert Mel Kiper Jr. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL