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Three Michigan football players that don't get talked about enough, including one who graded out at 97 percent vs. MSU

clayton-sayfieby: Clayton Sayfie3 hours agoCSayf23
Jyaire Hill
Michigan Wolverines football cornerback Jyaire Hill had a sack against CMU. (Photo by Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

If Michigan Wolverines football junior cornerback Jyaire Hill would’ve come down with potential pick-sixes that he dropped over the last two weeks — one against Washington and one at Michigan State — perhaps he’d be one of the most talked about players in the program right now.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder didn’t make those plays, but he’s been a part of plenty others lately, putting together a strong season.

When facing star Washington wideout Denzel Boston, Hill gave up 1 catch for 16 yards on 3 targets. In the 31-20 win over Michigan State the following week, Hill was matched up with MSU’s best receiver, Nick Marsh, and limited him to 3 catches for 44 yards, with only 1 yard after the catch. Marsh had a 24-yard reception down the sideline, but it wasn’t only one Hill, since senior safety Jaden Mangham was supposed to be in coverage over the top but got there late.

“It was a combination of both,” Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore said of the blame on that play. “He’s got to do a better job re-routing and getting the safety over the top, and that play wouldn’t have happened.”

For the season, the Kankakee, Ill., native has posted a team-best 74.5 PFF coverage grade, which ranks 13th in the Big Ten among those with 100-plus such snaps. Hill has allowed 18 catches for 140 yards and 2 touchdowns on 35 targets, posting 5 pass breakups.

“‘Sug, man. Sug is playing outstanding for us,” Moore said, invoking Hill’s nickname. “He’s playing really good football. He’s covering the best guy usually all the time, and even when he’s not, he’s always doing his job. He’s tackling really well, playing super physical. Excited about how he’s playing.”

Hill’s teammates have seen his improvement over time and are proud of the way he’s playing.

“It all started off the field,” Michigan graduate defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny said. “He matured a lot this offseason. You were able to see it, and I just knew what it was going to translate to this year. I’m happy that he’s putting on a show. I hope he keeps putting on a show. I know he will. So, just happy to see him grow as a player and a person.”

Max Bredeson and Jalen Hoffman are huge pieces of the Michigan offense

Michigan graduate tight end / fullback Max Bredeson had a big-time block on a defensive tackle on sophomore running back Jordan Marshall’s 14-yard touchdown run in the 24-7 win over Washington.

He did the same exact thing on junior Justice Haynes‘ 5-yard score against MSU, getting physical with a D-lineman after going in motion, and he helped clear the way for Haynes on his second score versus the Spartans, blocking on the back side while senior Marlin Klein laid a key one on the edge that sprung the running back.

On Marshall’s 56-yard “dagger” to put Michigan up 31-13 on MSU late in the fourth quarter, Bredeson lined up next to Underwood in the pistol while Marshall was the tailback, and delivered another big block, this one on a defensive end, to help pave the way for the breakaway run.

“It’s the best tight end room in the country,” Marshall said. “Wasn’t it national tight ends day yesterday? I probably should’ve gotten them something. But no, they’re amazing.”

Bredeson is playing at an elite level for his position, and Moore has the grade from his position coach, Steve Casula, to prove it, even though much of what he does won’t show up on the stat sheet.

“Max graded out pretty, pretty high,” the Michigan coach said. “Max graded out at 97 percent on 39 snaps. It was as winning football as winning football can get.

“Off the field, on the field, he’s the prototypical leader, person, student-athlete, everything that you want in a football player. If you had 11 Max Bredesons, you’d probably go undefeated every year for your whole coaching career, because he is everything you want as a football player. Everything. On the field, off the field, as a leader, as a teammate, as a person.

“Like, the dude is just unbelievable, and he is as violent of a player as I’ve ever been around. When he runs at you, you know it’s going to be a collision. 

“We’re to the point in the season where, in practice, I don’t really let him hit people like that. He only has one speed, so with the way he practices, you have to ease him down.”

Junior tight end Jalen Hoffman, who plays a similar role to Bredeson, mostly serving as a blocker is also stepping up. He’s played only 44 offensive snaps all season, but 25 of those have come in the last two games, including 13 at Michigan State.

Hoffman and Bredeson both came in motion on freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood‘s 13-yard touchdown and were lead blockers on the edge as he scampered down the left sideline for the score.

“Jalen Hoffman is just taking all the steps to try to replicate what [Bredeson is] doing,” Moore said. “It’s fun to be around. 

“Max is always around the building. Jalen just continues to get better and better. Just proud of him.”