The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1493247
2023 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE 32 THE WOLVERINE MARCH 2023 BY ZACH LIBBY Cornerback Jyaire Hill had Michigan fans speculating frantically during the week of National Signing Day in December about whether the Wolverines were actu- ally still in the race for his services. Days before his decision, Hill refreshed a top five graphic on social media that did not include the Wolverines, who hosted the Kankakee, Ill., native twice for game- day visits last season. The talented cornerback sat in his high school's gymnasium in front of friends and family, and he performed a fake-out. Surprisingly, Hill put on a Michigan hat and signed his letter of intent in front of everyone. For some who followed Hill's recruit- ment, his commitment to Michigan didn't come as a shock. For others, his decision was unexpected. Either way, U-M landed its top cornerback option on the board for 2023 after courting him for a year. "Michigan is everything," Hill said. "From the coaches to the fans, to the swag, to the NIL. I'm looking forward to all of those things." Co-defensive coordinator and defen- sive backs coach Steve Clinkscale kept the push ongoing that included inviting Hill and his family out to the Penn State and Illinois games in Ann Arbor. In-home visits from Clinkscale and Harbaugh, plus assistance from former U-M quarterback and assistant director of player personnel Denard Robinson and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter led to the Big Ten champions pulling away from conference rival Illinois. "Coach Clink is like a dad figure," Hill said. "I have a great connection with him. With Coach [Jim] Harbaugh, he's a fun guy and a good coach, just like Coach Clink. I like both of them a lot." The final home game of the season against the Fighting Illini was a pivotal moment in the race for Hill. The 6-foot- 2, 170-pounder and his family recognized and appreciated the family atmosphere on campus, the rapid fans at the Big House and the strong support of the coaching staff. While Illinois presented an opportunity to stay close to home, the resources to de- velop into an NFL prospect at Michigan were too much to pass up. Hill, who enrolled at U-M in January and is taking part in winter workouts, came in as the highest-ranked Michigan signee in the 2023 class at No. 104 nation- ally according to On3. He has the chance to compete for playing time as a true fresh- man next season with his off-the-charts athleticism and football IQ. "Expect greatness," Hill said. ❑ Wolverines Nab Their Top Cornerback Prospect — Jyaire Hill From Illinois 2023 Projection Hill was a major recruiting win for Michigan, which had to beat out in-state Illinois and overcome not landing on his top-five list immediately prior to the Na- tional Signing Day in December. He brings superb length and athleticism at the cor- nerback spot, which combined with his patience, coverage radius and big-play ability, will help him fight for the starting job at corner opposite of Will Johnson next season. On3 ranked Hill as the No. 104 prospect in the land, the No. 12 cornerback nationally and the No. 2 player in Illinois. PHOTO BY ZACH LIBBY STATISTICS Year Tackles TFL FF INT 2022 42 5 3 3 2021 56 2 6 9 HONORS • U.S. Army Bowl participant. • Chicago Sun-Times All-Area team (2022). • Three-time All-Southland Athletic Confer- ence (2020-21-22); named the conference's Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. • Helped the team go 8-3 his senior year with a playoff appearance. • Part of a Class 5A Illinois state runner-up team that went 14-1 his junior season. RECRUITMENT • Committed to Michigan on early signing day, Dec. 21, 2022, after receiving offer in October 2021. • Picked U-M over offers from Illinois, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and Oregon. • Recruited by U-M wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy. DID YOU KNOW? • An early enrollee at U-M. • On offense, totaled 186 receiving yards and 129 rushing yards and scored 10 touchdowns as a senior. • Also totaled 16 touchdowns as a junior; carried the ball 49 times for 470 yards with 2 rushing TDs. • Also lettered in track and field as a sprinter and jumper at Kankakee; part of two state championship-winning relays (4x100 meters, 4x400 meters) and was all-state in the long jump and has per- sonal record of 22 feet, 2.5 inches. • Helped lead the Kankakee track and field program to its first-ever state cham- pionship in 2022. • Son of Joeron Sr. and Kanesha Hill. • Born Aug. 31, 2005. JYAIRE HILL DEFENSIVE BACK 6-2 • 170 KANKAKEE HIGH KANKAKEE, ILL. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 165 20 2 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 104 12 2 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 219 23 2 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 158 18 3 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ — 48 9 consensus THEY SAID IT Tom Lemming, Prep Football Report: "Jyaire Hill could be outstanding as a cover corner because he came out strong last year. I was impressed with his coverage and length."