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Don’t blink. You might miss another player coming back.
First, Josh Metellus announced he’s coming back to Michigan next season. Minutes later, Lavert Hill did the same, spurning the upcoming 2019 NFL Draft.
His return bolsters a defense that, despite late-season struggles, finished second nationally is passing yards allowed. Should fellow corner David Long also stick around, that means three returning starters and Dax Hill manning the secondary come September.
For his efforts, Mel Kiper listed him as a top-10 corner prospect alongside Long. He made the all-Big Ten first team (media and coaches), and is frequently mentioned for his dominance on Pro Football Focus.
Lavert Hill has allowed just 9 receptions this season, on 24 targeted passeshttps://t.co/zyTnD2Z0a1 pic.twitter.com/M4AZUJ8FeB
— PFF College (@PFF_College) November 8, 2018
With those coverage numbers, his conventional stats look pedestrian. He tallied only 14 tackles and four pass breakups this season. He did return an interception for a touchdown to close the door on a 38-13 rout over then-No. 15 Wisconsin.
If he gets drafted in the spring of 2020, he will be the second-straight Wolverine defensive back out of Detroit’s Cass Tech to reach the NFL (Jourdan Lewis in 2017).
Long and tight end Zach Gentry are the only remaining possibilities for the draft. The deadline to declare is Jan. 14.