Jyaire Hill has spent enough time around Bryce Underwood to know when the quarterback has taken a real step forward, and the Michigan senior says that happened this offseason.
Hill told reporters Thursday afternoon that Underwood’s growth has been obvious throughout fall camp, especially as the Wolverines settle into a new scheme and continue building chemistry with a deeper group of receivers.
"I feel like he got more comfortable, especially in the new scheme and the wide receivers that we got. He built a connection.
I feel like they're all working as one," Hill said of Underwood. "Boy, he turned into a demon for sure.
He's looking real good."
That lines up with what Kyle Whittingham said earlier this week on BTN, when the head coach said his sophomore quarterback was "Much further ahead than he was in the spring," and gave Underwood an A+ through six fall camp practices while still noting there are things to clean up before the season begins.
Hill, meanwhile, is staring at his own final season in Ann Arbor and leaning into it with a clear message.
"Kind of old, a little bit. Got a last season.
It's going to be my last one. Trying to make it last season.
Prepare myself for the NFL. Go all out this season.
Championship mindset."
He and Zeke have been together long enough to know how to cover for each other, and Hill said that bond has only tightened.
"We've seen a lot. We've been through a lot.
Me and Zeke started at the same time. Connection on and off the field, it's getting better.
The best it's been. We're on the same page.
If I come down on a rep, he helps me where I'm at. Same in reverse."
Hill also said the staff has had him working at nickel during camp, something he sees as part of the job for a veteran corner.
"Everybody's got to learn. Corners, we've all got to play every position on the field - not every [position], the defense side, the back side. Get better, too, and know the playbook in and out."
When asked which Michigan receivers have given him the most trouble, Hill didn’t hesitate to point to a pair of freshmen.
"The new guy, 13 [Travis Johnson]. Good.
And Moa. Moa is good, too.
And new guy. Very good.
They're very good. Two freshmen.
They're very good."
He also said the constant coaching changes around him have made the transition to Jay Hill’s system feel familiar rather than jarring.
"I mean, since I've been here, I've had a new coach every year, so I'm prepared for it. Got to deal with it. Got to learn it, so it ain't very difficult for me."
As for Utah transfer Smith Snowden, Hill saw a defender who brings speed, intelligence and a familiar kind of edge.
"Tough guy. Tough guy.
Mike Sainristil a little bit. Energized, quick on his feet, too, very fast.
… Smart, too. He's very smart."
Hill’s personal goals are big, too. He wants the Jim Thorpe Award and says the mission stays tied to the team’s bigger picture.
"I want to win a Jim Thorpe Award. It's my goal, championship mindset. So, whatever it takes to win a championship."
The senior even explained the change from No. 20 to No. 0, saying he had his eye on another number first.
"Man, I really wanted 10, but Zeke's been in it, so that was close to 10 for real. Zero was open."
And Hill had a strong read on sophomore defensive back Shamari Earls, calling out the way he has carried himself in camp.
"He's moving like a one for sure. He's moving like he's supposed to be starting.
I mean, he is going to start. … He's really moving like a vet."
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Now the question for Michigan is how quickly Daley can get himself ready for real game action. He said fall camp has been about managing his playing time while he works to improve, and he sounded encouraged by the direction of the defensive unit under coordinator Jay Hill. There is obvious excitement in his voice about wearing a Michigan uniform, but the more immediate storyline is whether the Wolverines can count on him to be fully ready when it matters. [Read more 🡒]