2023 Season Countdown: #93 Brandyn Hillman
Name: Brandyn Hillman
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 191 lbs.
High school: Portsmouth (VA) Churchland
Position: Safety
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Hillman was a senior in high school (LINK). He passed for 1,312 yards and 11 touchdowns, and he ran for an additional 1,236 yards and 22 touchdowns.
TTB Rating: 83
Hillman was a late flip from the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. After signing with the Golden Domers, there was an issue with his transcript that wouldn’t allow him to enroll. At that point he was released from his National Letter of Intent. Michigan, which hadn’t even offered him during the cycle, saw he was available, threw him an offer, got him to visit, and then got him to sign. It was quite a stroke of luck for the Wolverines.
Hillman is an excellent athlete with quarterback experience, and quarterbacks often translate well to the college game. We’ve seen it with various players in recent years, including Desmond Morgan (QB to LB), Courtney Avery (QB to CB), Zach Gentry (QB to TE), Michael Barrett (QB to LB), and Luke Schoonmaker (QB to TE). All those players did well, but there is usually a period of transition to the college game; even Desmond Morgan, who played defense in high school, needed time to get ready. Furthermore, Michigan is in pretty good shape at safety with Makari Paige and Rod Moore as the starters, plus a few quality second-year players like Keon Sabb and Zeke Berry. Hillman has a chance to be a good player down the road, and I think he might start getting some experience as a backup and/or on special teams this season.
Prediction: Backup safety and special teamer