Michigan Wolverines: Delano Hill
State of the Rivalry: Defensive backs 
February, 28, 2013
Feb 28
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By
Tom VanHaaren and
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
The writers at WolverineNation and BuckeyeNation put their heads together to break down the rivals' 2013 classes. Position by position, they’ll give you a look at who Brady Hoke and Urban Meyer brought in and, ultimately, which class edged out the other. It’s too early to say what will happen over the next few seasons, and we won’t make any promises except that Hoke and Meyer are going to put talent on the field.
Ohio State got: The Buckeyes were praised nationally for their wide receiver/athlete, linebacker and defensive line positions, but there’s no doubt the defensive backfield is the headliner of the 2013 recruiting class. From ESPN 150 cornerbacks Eli Apple (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern) and Cam Burrows (Trotwood, Ohio/Trotwood-Madison) to other ESPN 150 defensive backs such as Gareon Conley (Massillon, Ohio/Washington) and Vonn Bell (Rossville, Ga./Ridgeland), Ohio State is loaded in the secondary. The fact ESPN 300 safety Jayme Thompson (Toledo, Ohio/Central Catholic) is the fifth-best DB on the list shows just how strong the unit is. Add three-star safety Darron Lee (New Albany, Ohio/New Albany), who is ranked 22nd at his position, and Ohio State’s strength will come in air defense for the next four to five years.
Ohio State got: The Buckeyes were praised nationally for their wide receiver/athlete, linebacker and defensive line positions, but there’s no doubt the defensive backfield is the headliner of the 2013 recruiting class. From ESPN 150 cornerbacks Eli Apple (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern) and Cam Burrows (Trotwood, Ohio/Trotwood-Madison) to other ESPN 150 defensive backs such as Gareon Conley (Massillon, Ohio/Washington) and Vonn Bell (Rossville, Ga./Ridgeland), Ohio State is loaded in the secondary. The fact ESPN 300 safety Jayme Thompson (Toledo, Ohio/Central Catholic) is the fifth-best DB on the list shows just how strong the unit is. Add three-star safety Darron Lee (New Albany, Ohio/New Albany), who is ranked 22nd at his position, and Ohio State’s strength will come in air defense for the next four to five years.
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U-M gets deeper, taller in secondary
February, 8, 2013
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Tom VanHaaren | ESPN.com
Michigan’s defense has been much improved under coordinator Greg Mattison, but it’s still not at the level he knows it needs to be.
Mattison has coached at all levels and knows the type of player he needs on his defense to be a national contender. Through recruiting the coaching staff has been working to get back to that talent level on defense, and a big part of those efforts have been with recruiting the right type of defensive backs.
“First thing is we always want to be a pressure team, but we want to pressure more when we want to, not because we have to,” he said. “To do that you have to be able to play zone and you have to be able to play some straight man.”
Mattison has coached at all levels and knows the type of player he needs on his defense to be a national contender. Through recruiting the coaching staff has been working to get back to that talent level on defense, and a big part of those efforts have been with recruiting the right type of defensive backs.
“First thing is we always want to be a pressure team, but we want to pressure more when we want to, not because we have to,” he said. “To do that you have to be able to play zone and you have to be able to play some straight man.”
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Corner depth is crucial for Michigan
January, 28, 2013
Jan 28
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Tom VanHaaren | ESPN.com
Michigan's secondary suffered a big blow in the first game of last season when sophomore starter Blake Countess went down with an ACL injury. The already thin unit held together well without him, but the depth was a concern going forward, especially at cornerback.
That concern was evident on the recruiting trail as Michigan currently has six defensive back commits for 2013, five of which will likely be corners. The secondary in general is a younger position group, so competition for a few spots might be up for grabs in the future.
That concern was evident on the recruiting trail as Michigan currently has six defensive back commits for 2013, five of which will likely be corners. The secondary in general is a younger position group, so competition for a few spots might be up for grabs in the future.
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Michigan extends third offer in 2015 class
January, 22, 2013
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Chantel Jennings | ESPN.com
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The Wolverines are out on the recruiting trail, closing out their 2013 class and looking forward to future classes. Naturally, the next class to consider is the 2014 class, which has two commitments (linebacker Michael Ferns and offensive lineman Denzel Ward) and several offered prospects.
But with a recent surprising miss at Detroit Cass Tech with Damon Webb committing to Ohio State, the Wolverines aren’t going to skip a beat with any player, regardless of class.
But with a recent surprising miss at Detroit Cass Tech with Damon Webb committing to Ohio State, the Wolverines aren’t going to skip a beat with any player, regardless of class.
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Depth chart analysis: Cornerback
January, 21, 2013
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Michael Rothstein | ESPN.com
Over the next few weeks, WolverineNation will look at every position on the Michigan roster and give a depth chart analysis of each position on the roster heading into the offseason.
This was considered a position of strength entering last season, with two experienced corners getting ready to man their positions and have breakout years. It didn’t really take place as Blake Countess missed all but one game of the season with an injury and J.T. Floyd was consistent but didn’t make the next leap.
Now, entering next season, Michigan is in the same position. It has two starting cornerbacks ready to jump up a talent level and a bunch of guys behind them who are talented but don’t have much experience at all.
This was considered a position of strength entering last season, with two experienced corners getting ready to man their positions and have breakout years. It didn’t really take place as Blake Countess missed all but one game of the season with an injury and J.T. Floyd was consistent but didn’t make the next leap.
Now, entering next season, Michigan is in the same position. It has two starting cornerbacks ready to jump up a talent level and a bunch of guys behind them who are talented but don’t have much experience at all.
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Michigan added two needed pieces to its 2013 class with Detroit Cass Tech teammates David Dawson and defensive back Delano Hill. Dawson is the No. 1-ranked guard in the country and recommitted to Michigan while on his official visit.
The additions of the two prospects give the Wolverines five committed prospects along the offensive line and five defensive back commitments as well. Depth is limited for both positions, so it's no surprise that the coaching staff made those groups an emphasis.
Hill and Dawson weren't the only two impressed with Michigan on the big visit weekend, though. Wisconsin commit Marcus Ball (Westerville, Ohio/Westerville South) came away impressed with the Wolverines, as did the Michigan commits on the visit with him. Ball said he now has a lot to think about with his commitment but wants to wait to see who Wisconsin hires before making any decisions.
The additions of the two prospects give the Wolverines five committed prospects along the offensive line and five defensive back commitments as well. Depth is limited for both positions, so it's no surprise that the coaching staff made those groups an emphasis.
Hill and Dawson weren't the only two impressed with Michigan on the big visit weekend, though. Wisconsin commit Marcus Ball (Westerville, Ohio/Westerville South) came away impressed with the Wolverines, as did the Michigan commits on the visit with him. Ball said he now has a lot to think about with his commitment but wants to wait to see who Wisconsin hires before making any decisions.
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Michigan still has options in 2013 class
December, 15, 2012
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By
Tom VanHaaren | ESPN.com
With the commitments of offensive lineman David Dawson and defensive back Delano Hill on Saturday, Michigan has landed seven prospects from Detroit Cass Tech High School since the 2009 class. It's nothing new for Michigan fans, since the program continues to produce top talent year in and year out.
Dawson, the No. 1 ranked guard and ESPN 150 prospect, took an alternate route but finds himself back in Michigan's 2013 class.
He's back because he initially committed to the Wolverines in February, but decided he wanted to take a visit to Florida. That goes against Michigan coach Brady Hoke's no-visit policy for commitments and the two split ways only for Dawson to realize that he wanted to stay closer to home and his family.
Dawson, the No. 1 ranked guard and ESPN 150 prospect, took an alternate route but finds himself back in Michigan's 2013 class.
He's back because he initially committed to the Wolverines in February, but decided he wanted to take a visit to Florida. That goes against Michigan coach Brady Hoke's no-visit policy for commitments and the two split ways only for Dawson to realize that he wanted to stay closer to home and his family.
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Michigan picks up teammates Dawson, Hill
December, 15, 2012
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By
Tom VanHaaren | ESPN.com
On a big visit weekend for Michigan, the Wolverines have picked up two big-time prospects in offensive lineman David Dawson (Detroit/Cass Tech) and his teammate, defensive back Delano Hill. Dawson, the one-time Michigan commit, was on his official visit, while Hill had only recently been offered by Michigan.
The two are big commitments for Michigan as they both come at positions of need, and they also happen to be very good prospects. Dawson is a four-star and the No. 1-ranked guard, while Hill is a solid three-star safety who had been committed to Iowa until flipping to Michigan on Saturday.
The two commitments now give Michigan 24 total for the 2013 class, and will likely give the Wolverines a boost in the ESPN class rankings as well. With the NCAA and Big Ten rules, Michigan is still able to sign three more prospects in this class. With plenty more options on the board, Michigan should be in good shape to land a few more top prospects.
The two are big commitments for Michigan as they both come at positions of need, and they also happen to be very good prospects. Dawson is a four-star and the No. 1-ranked guard, while Hill is a solid three-star safety who had been committed to Iowa until flipping to Michigan on Saturday.
The two commitments now give Michigan 24 total for the 2013 class, and will likely give the Wolverines a boost in the ESPN class rankings as well. With the NCAA and Big Ten rules, Michigan is still able to sign three more prospects in this class. With plenty more options on the board, Michigan should be in good shape to land a few more top prospects.
2015 RB takes in Michigan-Notre Dame
September, 24, 2012
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Chantel Jennings | ESPN.com
Mike Weber (Detroit/Cass Tech), a 2015 running back prospect, was in South Bend on Saturday on the first unofficial visit of his college recruitment. He was there not only to see the Fighting Irish but to watch a former workout partner wearing maize and blue, Dennis Norfleet.
"A lot of recruiters talked to the me at the game," Weber said. "I really liked Notre Dame. It was nice. … And to see Norfleet on that field, playing in college, it just really made me proud of him. I made sure to send him a text before the game and say, 'Good luck.' "
The 2015 running back is hearing the most from Notre Dame, but Michigan and Indiana have also inquired about Weber to Cass Tech coach Thomas Wilcher.
"A lot of recruiters talked to the me at the game," Weber said. "I really liked Notre Dame. It was nice. … And to see Norfleet on that field, playing in college, it just really made me proud of him. I made sure to send him a text before the game and say, 'Good luck.' "
The 2015 running back is hearing the most from Notre Dame, but Michigan and Indiana have also inquired about Weber to Cass Tech coach Thomas Wilcher.
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ABOUT WOLVERINE NATION
Michael Rothstein
Michael Rothstein joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the University of Michigan for AnnArbor.com, Notre Dame for the Fort Wayne (Ind.) Journal Gazette and a host of colleges for the Daily News-Record (Harrisonburg, Va.). A Syracuse graduate and an East Meadow, N.Y., native, he lives in Ann Arbor, Mich. He can be reached at michaelrothsteinespn@gmail.com.
Tom VanHaaren
Tom VanHaaren joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the University of Michigan for three years at MGoBlog.com. VanHaaren and his wife currently reside in Royal Oak, Mich. He can be reached at TomVHESPN@gmail.com.
Chantel Jennings
Chantel Jennings joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering University of Michigan athletics for three years at The Michigan Daily. Chantel graduated from the University of Michigan with degrees in English and Spanish and lives in Ann Arbor. She can be reached at jenningsespn@gmail.com.