Prospects for Jags fans to know: Michigan S Daxton Hill

For this week’s prospect preview, @DanDGriffis discusses the traits that makes Michigan’s Daxton Hill stand out.

Coming off one of their best defensive performances in quite some time, some might forget how much work the Jacksonville Jaguars’ defense still has to do. While many are hopeful for the eventual development of secondary pieces, such as cornerback Tyson Campbell and safety Andre Cisco, those players shouldn’t eliminate the possibility of selecting a defensive back in the upcoming draft.

One player who has flown up draft boards and shown vast improvement from last season is Michigan safety Daxton Hill. Hill was no doubt on the radar of scouts entering the season, however, his level of play and role in Michigan’s impressive season hasn’t gone unnoticed.

Hill (6-foot-0, 192 pounds) has put his athleticism on full display week after week this season for the Wolverines. Through nine games, Hill has racked up 48 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, six pass breakups, and nabbed a career-high two interceptions. In short, he’s been anywhere and everywhere at all times.

Starting with Hill’s athletic profile, it’s otherworldly. Coming out of high school, Hill already had recorded a 4.3 40-yard dash, 43-inch vertical, and a SPARQ rating in the 99th percentile. He posted those numbers three years ago; with top-end training at Michigan, he might be poised to post better numbers come February at the combine.

With that kind of speed and burst, Hill can make plays other safeties only dream of. In a game against Nebraska, the star safety came up with the play of the game, tipping and intercepting a ball that helped Michigan seal its victory.

Later in that same game, Hill defended a slot fade beautifully that ended up being the last play of the game.

 

Hill has also been crucial as a run-defender. While his strength is in coverage, Hill’s ability to get off blocks and wrap up the ball-carrier is there. He isn’t afraid of physicality and his speed and quickness only aid him in his pursuit, evidenced by his 48 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss.

 

 

At the moment, Hill isn’t a household name in this draft class. As Michigan continues to make their claim to be in the college football playoffs and the combine nears, fans will see more and more of No. 30 and for all the right reasons. He’s an athletic anomaly, who’s developed into a true football player this year, not just an incredible athlete who happens to play the sport. As he continues to develop, the sky is the limit and his stock is certainly trending in the right direction.