This CB is the most important player on Michigan’s defense in 2025

With Will Johnson now in the NFL, the cornerback position could be a pivotal one for Michigan’s defensive success in 2025. Here’s why Jyaire Hill might be the player to make or break the defense in 2025:

For as well as Michigan’s defense finished the season, there were periods of choppiness scattered throughout. Anchored by a great defensive line and a star cornerback in Will Johnson, the defense was leaving much to be desired through its first nine games of the season, especially against high-powered passing attacks.

In the three seasons prior, we’d seen Michigan suffocate opposing offenses regardless of how strong they were, so it was out of character for the Wolverines to struggle like they did early on. The issues against the pass were particularly concerning. Johnson was solid as we’d expected, but he wasn’t able to cover the whole field himself. Michigan needed other players to emerge.

One of those players was Jyaire Hill, an Illinois native and former four-star recruit that was lauded for his speed, athleticism and length. Hill was a bit of a late riser for Michigan last year, coming on strong during fall camp and eventually securing the starting spot opposite Johnson for the first game of the season.

Out of the gates, it looked like Michigan a gem in Hill. He was showcasing plenty of speed and limiting separation against opposing receivers. He broke up four passes in the first four games, and even recorded an interception against Minnesota in Week 5.

However, things began to change midseason, and Hill’s youth was on full display. He started to become a weak link and was routinely starting to get beat by receivers both before and after the catch. Things came to a head against Washington, as he allowed seven receptions on nine targets for 77 yards.

In next game, Michigan lost Johnson to injury for the rest of the season, leaving the staff scrambling to fill his void. Hill continued to see the field, but was eventually passed up by Aamir Hall and Zeke Berry (who moved from the slot to the boundary) for the final few games of the season. It was a disappointing end to an inconsistent season for Hill, but the Wolverines will need him to bounce back this fall.

As we look at the depth chart, most of the position groups are rich with either high-end talent or plenty of depth. At corner, there’s a bit more room for worry than there was a year ago. Of course that would be the case when you lose a player like Johnson, but the only returning contributors who have found success have only done so in short spurts. As such, Hill is a player that needs to step up and show more consistency.

We saw some high highs and some low lows from Hill last season. It were the highs early on that had fans thinking they’d found the next great Michigan corner. It was those highs that led Todd McShay to include Hill in the first round of his “way-too-early” mock draft . It’s those highs that will stabilize Michigan’s secondary.

But if Hill isn’t at his best, he’ll likely continue to show his tackling issues and get lost in coverage. Michigan can’t afford this with so much uncertainty behind him.

Michigan was fortunate to have Hall and Berry find their grooves at the end of the season. With Hall gone and Berry only being successful in a short sample size, can Michigan rely on that again? Furthermore, Michigan has young and talented players in Jo’Ziah Edmond and Shamari Earls in the fold, but can they be relied on to make a big impact?

With these questions lingering into the summer and fall camp, Hill can ease the fanbase and coaching staff with a more consistent and stronger showing on the field in 2025. He’s shown he can be a shutdown corner when he’s at his best, but his best needs to last longer than half the season. Hopefully another offseason of development and more familiarity with Wink Martindale and LaMar Morgan can make that a reality.