Jyaire Hill

NFL Draft Profile: Jyaire Hill

Position: Cornerback | School: Michigan | Class: Junior

Height: 6'2" | Weight: 190 lbs | Archetype: Man / Zone Hybrid

College Career Summary

Jyaire Hill’s career at Michigan has been a steady climb from high-upside recruit to one of the Big Ten’s most reliable boundary defenders. After redshirting in 2023, Hill was thrust into a major role in 2024 following an injury to star corner Will Johnson. He handled the pressure with poise, earning several "Defensive Player of the Game" honors and developing a reputation for elite length and a track-star motor.

In 2025, Hill took over as Michigan's top cornerback. He anchored a secondary that remained elite despite significant coaching turnover, earning All-Big Ten (Honorable Mention) honors. His year was punctuated by a masterclass in the "Big Game" against Ohio State, where he recorded a momentum-shifting interception. Known for his "track and field" speed and aggressive press-coverage style, Hill enters the draft process as a prototypical modern cornerback with the frame to erase top-tier vertical threats.

Highlight Career Stats:

• Games Played: 28

• Total Tackles: 76 (33 in 2025)

• Tackles For Loss (TFL): 9.0 (2.0 in 2025)

• Sacks: 2.0 (1.0 in 2025)

• Interceptions: 2 (1 in 2025)

• Pass Breakups (PD): 13 (5 in 2025)

• Forced Fumbles: 1 (in 2025)

2025 Season Game-by-Game Grades

Opponent	Stats	Grade	Key Performance Note
vs. New Mexico	3 Tkl, 1 PD	B+	Technical opener; showed clean transition footwork.
@ Oklahoma	4 Tkl, 1 TFL, 1 PD	A-	Play Recognition. Blew up a perimeter screen early.
vs. Cent. Michigan	4 Tkl, 1.0 Sk	A	Star Impact. Named Defensive Player of the Week.
@ Nebraska	4 Tkl, 1 PD	B+	Consistently "sticky" in man coverage on third downs.
vs. Wisconsin	3 Tkl, 1 PD	B	Controlled his boundary; limited Wisconsin's vertical air yards.
@ USC	3 Tkl, 1 FF	A-	Competitor. Huge forced fumble in a high-stakes road game.
vs. Washington	1 Tkl	C+	Worst Game. Missed a few drives due to a minor stinger.
@ Michigan State	3 Tkl, 1 PD	B+	Aggressive in run support; solid PBU in the endzone.
vs. Purdue	3 Tkl	B	Efficient; Purdue avoided targeting his side of the field.
@ Wrigley Field (NW)	2 Tkl	B-	Quiet game; handled difficult field conditions well.
@ Maryland	1 Tkl	B	Limited snaps as Michigan rotated younger depth late.
vs. Ohio State	2 Tkl, 1 INT	A+	Clutch. Game-changing INT; shut down the rival's top target.

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Elite "Long" Speed: A state-champion sprinter in high school, Hill has verified 4.4 speed. He rarely gets "stacked" vertically and can recover even when beaten at the line.

• Prototypical Build: At 6'2", he has the length NFL scouts covet to jam receivers in Press and disrupt passing lanes in Zone.

• Ball Tracking: He has the natural instincts of an offensive player (high school WR background). He tracks the deep ball over his shoulder with high-level efficiency.

• Physical Run Support: Unlike many "track-star" corners, Hill is a violent tackler. He attacks the perimeter and isn't afraid to stick his nose in the fan to stop a running back.

Weaknesses

• Eye Discipline: Occasionally bites on double moves or "sluggo" routes when playing in Zone, trusting his speed too much to bail him out of bad positioning.

• Hand Discipline: Can be "grabby" at the top of the route stem. He needs to clean up his jersey-tugging to avoid pass interference calls at the NFL level.

• Functional Strength: While tall and long, he still has a leaner frame (190 lbs). He can be out-muscled by "Power" wideouts on back-shoulder fades.

Scheme Fit: Ideal CB1/CB2 in a Press-Man heavy system or a Cover 3 scheme that utilizes his length on the boundary.

NFL Comparison: Martin Emerson (Browns) / Shavon Revel Jr.

Scout’s Final Word & Projection

Intangibles: 18/20 | Physical Tools: 19/20 | Attributes: 17/20 | Athleticism: 19/20 | IQ: 17/20

Final Grade: 90/100

Jyaire Hill is a high-ceiling prospect who checks every physical box for a modern NFL starter. His growth from a rotational sophomore to a lockdown senior in 2025 proves he has the Mental Toughness and IQ to handle the complexities of a pro-style defense. His rare combination of size and track speed makes him a "blue-chip" athlete. While he needs to add bulk and refine his footwork to eliminate penalties, his performance against elite competition like Ohio State suggests he is a plug-and-play starter for a team looking for a boundary eraser.

Draft Projection: 1st Round (Mid-to-Late)