The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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COMMITMENT PROFILE Detroit Tight End Khalid Hill Commits To His Dream School of Michigan, but early in the recruiting process the Detroit Crockett standout didn't think that he'd have a chance to play his college football as a Wolverine. That changed Feb. 6 when head coach Brady Hoke offered him a full-ride schol- arship to Michigan. Hill didn't have to think twice before choosing to accept. "At first, I was just shocked, Tight end Khalid Hill grew up a fan was smiling, and Coach Hoke was look- ing at me and there was a pause. Then I said, 'I want to commit to the University of Michigan.' He was excited, he got up and gave me a big hug. He was ecstatic about it, and everybody was ecstatic. Hill might be slightly undersized " Hill said. "I " to play a classic tight end role at 6-2, 230 pounds, but fortunately for him Michigan's offense under coordinator has the most important attributes coaches look for — he shows good hands when making receptions and can adjust his body well to off-target throws. He displays very good speed for a 230-pound player. Hill also shows good awareness on Strengths: For a pass catcher, Hill FILM EVALUATION Hill, a tight end at Detroit Crockett High School, caught 29 passes for 448 yards (15.4 yards per reception) and six touchdowns as a junior. defense with smart angles to the foot- ball. The strength that stands out the most is his football motor. He attacks the front side of plays with good ag- gression and shows great desire to track the ball down from the backside. Areas of Improvement: Hill will have to improve his footwork and handwork to compete at the next level. He has a nice stance, but his start has false steps and crossover steps that will get him into trouble. He will also have to improve his hands to have more of a punishing impact. Hill will learn to play on the edge of blockers and not allow his opponents to get their hands on him. He, like most high school players, has a ten- dency to play too high, which will be fixed on the Michigan practice field. Michigan Player Comparison: Chris Floyd could have been just as much of a punishing linebacker as he was fullback. Floyd was one of the great players on the 1997 undefeated Michigan team. Hill shows similarities with his athletic ability and desire to play high impact football. — Analysis from TheWolverine.com Al Borges has a position tailor-made for his skill set. The "U-back" or "move tight end" has many of the pass catching and blocking responsibilities of a traditional tight end, but also the ability to go in motion, end up as a lead blocker in the backfield and split as a receiver into the slot. The flexibility in Hill's game makes him an excellent match. "His versatility is big," Crockett head coach Rod Oden said. "He has the abil- ity to block as well as to catch passes. Khalid can play in a multitude of differ- ent positions on the field — kind of an H-back, tight end, Kevin Koger-type of role. That U-back. "At the tight end spot, I'd have the ability to be a versatile player, " who is currently unrated by Rivals.com. "My strength is that I'm a pass catcher. I can do it all, though, and I'm going to try my best to fulfill their needs with what they need me to do. " said Hill, receiver down the road, he'll be used to carrying the load. Although he plays tight end in high school, the Rockets have adjusted their offense to make the role more prominent. He caught 29 passes for 448 yards (15.4 yards per reception) and six touchdowns as a ju- nior, and could see his stats increase in If Michigan needs Hill to be a primary " his final year at Crockett. "Oftentimes we featured a multitude PHOTO BY TIM SULLIVAN of wide receivers because they were up- perclassmen, played his role, and when his number was called, he made the play for us. He has big playmaking capabilities. He won quite a few games for us last year as a tight end. "I'm looking forward to wrapping the " Oden explained. "Khalid " offense around him, because a lot of our receiving corps graduated. Tight ends and fullbacks will be the key for us. He's going to be a leading guy for us. A true two-way player at the high school level, Hill never comes off the field for Crockett. Although he's slated to play on the offensive side of the ball in college, he racked up 55 tackles, nine stops for loss and six sacks as a junior. Regardless of his role at the next level, Hill has realized a dream come true — to have the opportunity to suit up for Michigan and put on the winged hel- met. "I have always lived in Detroit and al- that one day soon, it will be him. — Tim Sullivan It's no longer a dream. Now he knows " APRIL 2012 THE WOLVERINE 67 ways been a Michigan fan," Hill said. "I didn't think it would, but I hoped one day it would be me.