The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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36 THE WOLVERINE OCTOBER 2021 A fter two years of trying to figure out his role under different coaches, sophomore safety Daxton Hill has found stability, and he's embracing it. He's learning from new young coaches Ron Bellamy and Steve Clinkscale, and he loved their vision for him from the first time they explained it. Hill has played all over the field in three games and has been one of the Wolverines' best defensive players, see- ing action at nickel back, safety and cor- ner. "I was giddy when they mentioned it to me," Hill said. "They told me I was going to have to step up and play multiple roles compared to last year. I was excited, and I embraced it … "At first, it was kind of tough for me to adjust to all the new calls and all the responsibilities, but once I got in the film room more with my coaches and they broke down everything — all the nuances to it — it kind of flowed to me a lot bet- ter." In a scheme that's "night and day" dif- ferent from his first two seasons' duties, Hill has found his niche. He spent the offseason watching film on Baltimore Ra- vens defensive back Marlon Humphrey, anticipating that's how new coordinator and former Ravens assistant Mike Mac- donald would use him, and got more ex- cited each time he did. "Really, I just can fly around," Hill said. "Hustling to the ball … that's one thing you need — all 11 men to the ball on each play. If I can help out as much as I can, that's what I'd like to do. I feel like I have more room to do that now, so that's why I was excited I could play more freely." He's also great at hiding what he's do- ing — when he's blitzing, when he's not — and he's got the athleticism to hang with elite receivers. Clinkscale believes Hill has it in him to play corner in the NFL, some- thing he might flirt with as early as next season, and he'll likely get some chances on the edge in coverage this year, too. He still has plenty to prove, but he's off to a great start. "Dax played well [against Western Michigan]," Clinkscale said. "I thought all the guys could improve on things, but I felt when we adjusted, Dax played really physical on the perimeter. I think he's do- ing a good job trying to adjust to playing the nickel, which is kind of like a corner spot for everything we ask him to do, and all the safety stuff. "… He's very athletic, long. He's smart; he's got great instincts. He's a very in- stinctual guy. He feels it, and when you correct him, he's like, 'Yeah, I saw it,' or 'I was working to it.' He can anticipate what they're about to do." While many have chastised former co- ordinator Don Brown for the use of his defensive backs, Clinkscale said it prob- ably helped Hill in the long run. "I think playing a lot of man has helped him being a nickel … corner, slot, playing some zone, now we can see some more of his instincts as we mix up the differ- ent coverages and ask him to do different things," Clinkscale continued. "I think his football IQ is high. He's kind of a quiet guy, so you're not sure if he knows it — he knows it. "He's sharp with it. He just goes out and executes, doesn't ask for a lot of at- tention. As long as he continues to work hard and we keep adding stuff to his list that he can take, I think you'll see his level of play continue to improve." — Chris Balas MICHIGAN FOOTBALL Daxton Hill Embracing His New Role Hill has been one of the Wolverines' best defensive players through the first three games, see- ing action at nickel back, safety and corner. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL