Michigan incoming defensive back haul includes a ‘game breaker’
The Michigan recruiting class didn’t rank as highly as some of Jim Harbaugh’s recent classes, but the U-M coach seems thrilled with it. There are several players who could impact early, including a Signing Day addition who made the coaches sweat it out.
Kankakee (Ill.) cornerback Jyaire Hill went back and forth between Michigan and Illinois before deciding on the Wolverines. The 4-star, No. 112 in the On3.com national rankings, has elite skills, Harbaugh told Jon Jansen on the In the Trenches podcast, and is a “great athlete,” Harbaugh said.
“He’s a game-breaker type guy as a kick returner and as a defensive back … a unique player,” the Michigan coach said. “He has a really high ceiling as a defensive back … great ball skills. He’s a very unique, creative individual, super competitive … played for a state title in football. He’s elite at track and field, a state champion in the relays, an all-state performer in the long jump. He helped his track team win its first ever state title.
“He’s another one of those kinda guys that has a personality that lights up the room. He has a true, genuine confidence about him.
Cameron Calhoun (5-11, 167, No. 41 CB nationally) is one of the top cornerbacks in the state of Ohio, Harbaugh said. He’ll bring a chip on his shoulder to Michigan.
“His parents were very influential in the decision. Academics and football were the major priority to Cam and his family,” he said. “He was a very productive player in high school. He always seems to be around the football … over 50 tackles as a junior. Had nine interceptions as a junior and five as a senior.
“He’s one of these guys that loves to recruit. I had a lot of conversations with him over text and on the phone. He just strikes you as someone who’s going to be a good teammate and a good fit in our defensive backfield.”
Finally, the Michigan coaches wanted another big defensive back in the class and landed one in Youngstown (Ohio) Chaney standout D’Juan Waller, Jr. The 3-star will be another of the Ohioans who face Ohio State with a chip on their shoulders.
“I think one thing [Michigan freshman] Will Johnson shows is long, athletic, tall corners are so good,” Harbaugh said. “This is unique size with DJ (Waller]. He’s close to 6-foot-4 tall. Has a great skillset that is rare for his size. You get tall guys and the question becomes, ‘what’s their change of direction? Can they flip their hips?’
“He’s got unique athleticism for his size. You just think under coach [Steve Clinkscale] Clink’s mentorship that DJ’s going to have a long career at the corner position. He’s a high school teammate of [frosh linebacker] Jason Hewlett. He’s a really great basketball player. He can dribble between his legs, around his back, dunk. I can’t wait for everybody to get to know DJ and all the recruits here.”
Overall, Harbaugh said, it’s a haul that should help Michigan continue to compete for championships.
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