Committed‼️ #918 pic.twitter.com/Td4PyyKSED
— Dirty30 (@daxhill5) September 18, 2018
Tulsa (OK) Booker T. Washington safety Daxton Hill committed to Michigan on Tuesday evening. He picked the Wolverines over Alabama, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State, among others.
Hill is listed at 6’0″ and 186 lbs. As a junior in 2017, he made 71 tackles, 11 pass breakups, 5 interceptions, and 4 defensive touchdowns. He claims a 4.3 forty, a 4.22 shuttle, and a 43.6″ vertical.
RANKINGS
ESPN: 4-star, 88 grade, #1 safety, #14 overall
Rivals: 5-star, 6.1 grade, #1 safety, #24 overall
247 Sports: 5-star, 98 grade, #1 safety, #8 overall
Hit the jump for more on Hill’s commitment.
Hill was offered by Michigan over a year ago, but I always thought Michigan was a longshot. However, the coaching staff worked hard on him, and it hasn’t hurt that Michigan has had one of the top few defenses in the country over the past couple seasons. Michigan has a glaring need at safety, especially because senior Tyree Kinnel will be graduating after the 2018 season. Hill visited unofficially over the summer, and he was back in Ann Arbor for last weekend’s win over SMU. He went home on Sunday and announced his decision on Tuesday.
Hill has good size and great makeup speed. He transitions quickly out of his backpedal. He’s a solid tackler and a hard hitter. He’s a ball hawk. He has everything you would want in a safety.
Things I dislike about Hill:
*crickets*
Okay, so Hill will probably be starting at safety in 2019. Remember when Dymonte Thomas finally turned into a good safety late in his career? That’s how I imagine Hill will be in year one or maybe year two.
Michigan’s depth chart at safety for next year:
- Josh Metellus (Sr.)
- Brad Hawkins (Jr.)
- Jaylen Kelly-Powell (Jr.)
- J’Marick Woods (Jr.)
- Sammy Faustin (So.)
- German Green (So.)
Metellus will probably still be starting, because he will have two years as a starter under his belt by then. Hawkins is getting a lot of playing time right now, but those other guys are just seeing spot duty. Hill might pass Hawkins immediately, and I don’t see him being behind Kelly-Powell or Woods.
Michigan now has 23 commits in the 2019 class. Hill would be the first signee from Oklahoma in the Rivals era, and Michigan hasn’t even had any players on the roster from the Sooner State since the mid-1990s when Woodrow Hankins and Che Foster were in the program.
TTB Rating: 100
You need to login in order to vote
A 100 TTB rating? I’ll take it ?
One of those 3 Juniors will likely bounce, considering historical precedence
You need to login in order to vote
I would put a move to Viper as more likely than another school.
We can debate if Viper is a LB, S, or hybrid but the the personnel is safeties. Hudson is an early entry candidate, Glasgow a walk-on, and Metellus (Peppers’ backup) could move back. Sam Webb has theorized Woods would fit well and JKP has already been utilized as a hybrid slot.
Michigan has used 6 safety-types for meaningful downs so far this year. 5 would probably be more typical but that’s still plenty of opportunity for the returning players.
You need to login in order to vote
I could see Woods, and I like that idea. But I seriously doubt Hudson is going anywhere
You need to login in order to vote
If memory serves, Rashan Gary received a 100 score. I believe Jabrill Peppers received a 98 or 99. Hill we be very good.
You need to login in order to vote
Jabrill Peppers was also rated 100.
http://touchthebanner.blogspot.com/2013/05/jabrill-peppers-wolverine.html?m=1
You need to login in order to vote
Yeah, Peppers and Gary have been the only 100s before Daxton Hill. Cesar Ruiz is the next highest rated recruit.
You need to login in order to vote
Wow, the elusive 100. That is indeed high praise. When people say they expect a true freshman to start at safety on a very good defense I am always very skeptical because safety is a position where experience really matters. I actually think Hawkins is doing fairly well at safety given the late switch but yes, looking at the depth chart and Hill’s talent, it seems like a good chance that he will crack the starting lineup or at least be the first one off the bench. Great get for Michigan and likely a good decision for Hill.
You need to login in order to vote
FINALLY, a true 5-star, though I think Zach Charbonnet will be as well. We don’t have the best history with 5-stars and I’m not very confident about Hinton yet. However, Hill is an absolute monster. His speed is 2nd to none. I’m not a big believer in the safety position for this defense so I think it’s slightly downgraded just because of his position. I’d rather have the #1 corner, #1 receiver, #1 Defensive End/Tackle. But, my gosh, what an athlete.
You need to login in order to vote
Still looking forward to the Giles Jackson write-up (hint, hint).
You need to login in order to vote
I’m still looking forward to working something less than a 13-hour day for the first time in two weeks…
You need to login in order to vote
Great get. Very exciting.
You need to login in order to vote