Posted at 6:00am — 2/8/2016
GBMWolverine Message Board Readers: Here is a overview of University of Michigan recently signed commitment Lavert Hill.
Every team needs quality cornerbacks. Two guys with the skills to press, jam, and recover in the same recruiting class is a nice year’s work in defensive backfield recruiting. David Long declared for Michigan a few days before National Signing Day, and Detroit MLK’s Lavert Hill provided the bookend, declaring on singing day. It can be argued whether LSU, Alabama, or Michigan pulled in the best twosome, but the rankings declare a near dead heat. Long may be a little smoother and slightly bigger, but Lavert Hill was also highly sought by notable programs. Perhaps no one recruited him harder than his brother, defensive back Delano Hill.
Lavert received offers from Big Ten, Pac 12, SEC, Big 12, and ACC powers. He is generally considered a mid four-star rating. National rankings are scattered, but by all accounts, Hill is a top 300 type.
Toughness and perseverance count for cornerbacks that are given plenty or responsibility. For the young at this valuable spot, things can be tough, but cornerbacks are akin to Darwinism, eventually the strong survive. He reminds us in ways of Jourdan Lewis, a corner who now is a top tier college player, but early in his career had some struggles. Once he saw the field often enough, Lewis prospered.
Lavert Hill
Height: 5’11
Weight: 175
Birthday: October 3, 1998
Number: 21
Current Position: Cornerback / Wide Receiver
Future Position: Cornerback
City/State: Detroit, Michigan
High School: Martin Luther King
Head Coach: Dale Harvel
Recruiter: Tyrone Wheatley
Official Visit: 12/11/2015
Committed: 2/3/2016
Top 5 Offers: Clemson, Michigan State, Ohio State, UCLA, and USC.
Other Visits: Michigan State (1/22/2016), Penn State (1/15/2016), and Tennessee (12/4/2015).
40-Time: 4.41
20-yard shuttle: 4.10
Vertical: 33.2
Power Throw: 33′
SPARQ Rating: 106.71
All-Star Game: U.S. Army All-American Game and The Opening.
Class: 2016 Michigan Wolverine Recruiting Class (Signed).
Follow Lavert Hill: on Twitter
Ghost @VertHill21 Feb 3
So proud to say I'm officially committed to THE University of Michigan #GoBlue #NSD2016
Rankings:
24/7:
ESPN:
Rivals:
Scout:
Note: Stars do matter, but are not absolute in predicting success within a football program. So, with that in mind the GBMWolverine Message Board Staff has cleverly come up with a new system of ranking. We are using footballs instead of stars, how can one argue against a system that clever? Below are the interpretations of football power predicted way too boldly long before it matters. In other words, we will give informed opinion with the crystal ball and let the players determine what will happen through years of hard work.
Criteria: Raw talent, athleticism, position of need, intangibles.
GBMWolverine Message Board Staff Rankings:
10 footballs: Instant impact player.
9 footballs: Three or four-year starter at a high level.
8 footballs: A starter with all league potential.
7 footballs: A meaningful starter at some time during a career.
6 footballs: A spot starter or special teams player.
5 footballs: Not in the two deep after a two years.
4 footballs: Never made it.
1-3 footballs: See the above.
We have him at 8 footballs.
Side Note: Remember just as we did during the season with grading positions or groups we are very tough graders and expect a lot out of those positions or players so this is no different here.
Coach Don Brown on Lavert Hill
Lavert is a great cover corner and is also longer than you think. He just makes a lot of plays on the ball. He can play side-to-side on both corners, but can also walk in and play some nickel. He can kind of do it all on the coverage skills. He crosses off of the boxes on all of the coverage skills. We are excited to have Lavert as a member of our football team.
Coach Michael Zordich on Lavert Hill
Lavert is a really smart, fundamental, technique oriented kind of football player. He really understands the ins and outs of technique and how you should handle how we play man-to-man coverage here at Michigan. I’m really impressed with his knowledge of the game. He’s a really quiet young man, but he does have a lot of will, and he wants to be great. I can see that in him. Lavert is a man-to-man, get in your face and stay on the man type of corner. He has a great skill at playing a coverage that we play a lot of the time. Obviously that was our intrigue in him, and just watching him play the game, it comes very easy to him. We sat here and watched film together and he knows the answer before the question is even posed. Lavert is smart young man and someone who is going to be a great representative of our football program.
Coach Greg Jackson on Lavert Hill
Lavert is a special player at cornerback. He brings those intangibles that you can’t teach: instincts, quickness, transition in and out of breaks and reaction skills. Lavert has a knack for always being around the football and he is never far away from the receiver. He reminds me of Jourdan Lewis with his ability. I know that those two are friends and they have helped each other. Lavert also has the good fortune of having his brother Delano as a member of our secondary, which will help with his transition. Lavert has the ability to be a special player. He tracks the ball really well and has great vision. Lavert comes from a great family and has done a great job on the field and in the classroom. He helped Martin Luther King High School win a state championship this year and brings that championship attitude with him to Ann Arbor. We look forward to having Lavert join the Michigan football team.
Coach Tyrone Wheatley on Lavert Hill
Lavert, better known as the ‘Ghost,’ developed a nickname that suits him well. He is a guy that can shadow and cover receivers with the best of them. His bump-and-run and press coverage is incredible. Lavert runs the routes as if he’s in the receivers shoes. Not only that, but also ghost fits him well because Lavert is a quiet young man. I don’t think that I’ve ever heard more than 10 words come out of his mouth at any one time … but he is a great person and leader. He helped take Martin Luther King High School to the state championship and brings a great deal of confidence with him to Ann Arbor. Lavert has a very strong family with his mom and brother Delano, who is a safety for us, helping guide his development. I can’t say enough good things about Lavert. We can’t wait to get him on campus as a member of our team.
Key Stats:
• Had 12 interceptions, including three returned for touchdowns as a senior
• Helped lead MLK HS to a MHSAA Division 2 state championship as a senior
Honors:
• Participated in the 2016 U.S. Army All-American Game
• Named “Air Defender of the Year” as the nation’s top defensive back at the U.S. Army All-American Game
• Rivals.com four-star prospect and the No. 13 cornerback in the nation
• Listed as the sixth-best prospect in Michigan and the 194th-rated player nationally by Rivals.com
• Scout.com four-star prospect that rated as the No. 7 cornerback nationally and the top cornerback in Michigan
• Rated as a four-star prospect by ESPN and the 279th-best player on the ESPN300; listed as the No. 7 prospect in Michigan
In the Words of the Hill Family
From early on, Lavert had a quiet confidence about himself. He has always known what he wanted and through hard work, discipline and determination, he has been successful. Yes, Lavert is ambitious but he is also compassionate. He works and volunteers at the Roberto Clemente Recreation Center in Detroit, assisting the neighborhood youth. During his senior year, Lavert went undefeated, made the Detroit Free Press 2015 Dream Team and was named the 2016 U.S. Army All-American Defensive Back of the Year. Yet, he remains humble and driven to be the very best and deliver the very best of himself each and every day!
Overview:
Lavert Hill played wide receiver and cornerback for Detroit King’s state championship team. He could play either side of the ball at Michigan, but we think it is a no-brainer that he plays corner at Michigan. Lavert recorded 40 tackles with 12 interceptions playing cornerback. He also caught 33 passes for 786 yards and scored 9 touchdowns as a wide receiver, including two touchdown passes in the state championship game.
Strengths:
Lavert Hill has very fluid movement that includes back pedal, change of direction, and acceleration. His film shows excellent agility and bend. He is fearless in coverage and has the speed to play an aggressive style of corner. Hill has the ability to both read and jump routes and is a solid wrap-up tackler.
Concerns/Needs Work:
Hill definitely needs to add weight and get stronger. Related to this need is Lavert will also need to improve regarding shedding and beating blockers. His overall physical play needs an upgrade.
Red-shirt or play his Freshman Year?
GBMWolverine Message Board Staff believes he will likely play his first year. Lavert has the skill to play early and would make an ideal nickelback in passing situations.
Lavert Hill reminds the GBMWolverine Staff of — Current Michigan Football Player — Jourdan Lewis — who plays Cornerback.
Video Highlights:
2016 Michigan Wolverine Football Recruiting Class:
Michigan has twenty-eight signed commits at this time with Brandon Peters — Enrolled — (QB), Kingston Davis — Enrolled — (FB/HB), Michael Onwenu (OL), Chris Evans (Slot), Sean McKeon — Enrolled — (TE), Josh Metellus (S), Ben Bredeson (OL), Devin Gil (S/LB), Ron Johnson Jr. (DE), Brad Hawkins (WR), Ahmir Mitchell — Enrolled — (WR), Carlo Kemp — Enrolled — (DE/LB), Nate Johnson (WR), Devin Bush Jr. — Enrolled — (LB), Kareem Walker — Enrolled — (RB), Dylan Crawford (WR), Stephen Spanellis (OL), David Long (CB), Joshua Uche (DE), Elysee Mbem-Bosse (LB). Michael Dwumfour (DL), Eddie McDoom (Slot), Khaleke Hudson (LB/FB), Nick Eubanks (TE), LaVert Hill (CB), Quinn Nordin (K/P), Rashan Gary (DL), and Devin Asiasi (TE).
At this time Dytarious Johnson (LB) is still committed to Michigan, but has to complete some school work before his letter of intent will be accepted.
Final Thoughts:
We welcome Lavert Hill to Michigan and hope he has a successful career on and off the football field as a student-athlete at the University of Michigan. Go Blue!
Written by GBMWolverine Message Board Staff — CoachBT, Doc4Blu, and ErocWolverine
Go Blue — Wear Maize!
GBMWolverine Message Board Readers: Here is a overview of University of Michigan recently signed commitment Lavert Hill.
Every team needs quality cornerbacks. Two guys with the skills to press, jam, and recover in the same recruiting class is a nice year’s work in defensive backfield recruiting. David Long declared for Michigan a few days before National Signing Day, and Detroit MLK’s Lavert Hill provided the bookend, declaring on singing day. It can be argued whether LSU, Alabama, or Michigan pulled in the best twosome, but the rankings declare a near dead heat. Long may be a little smoother and slightly bigger, but Lavert Hill was also highly sought by notable programs. Perhaps no one recruited him harder than his brother, defensive back Delano Hill.
Lavert received offers from Big Ten, Pac 12, SEC, Big 12, and ACC powers. He is generally considered a mid four-star rating. National rankings are scattered, but by all accounts, Hill is a top 300 type.
Toughness and perseverance count for cornerbacks that are given plenty or responsibility. For the young at this valuable spot, things can be tough, but cornerbacks are akin to Darwinism, eventually the strong survive. He reminds us in ways of Jourdan Lewis, a corner who now is a top tier college player, but early in his career had some struggles. Once he saw the field often enough, Lewis prospered.
Lavert Hill
Height: 5’11
Weight: 175
Birthday: October 3, 1998
Number: 21
Current Position: Cornerback / Wide Receiver
Future Position: Cornerback
City/State: Detroit, Michigan
High School: Martin Luther King
Head Coach: Dale Harvel
Recruiter: Tyrone Wheatley
Official Visit: 12/11/2015
Committed: 2/3/2016
Top 5 Offers: Clemson, Michigan State, Ohio State, UCLA, and USC.
Other Visits: Michigan State (1/22/2016), Penn State (1/15/2016), and Tennessee (12/4/2015).
40-Time: 4.41
20-yard shuttle: 4.10
Vertical: 33.2
Power Throw: 33′
SPARQ Rating: 106.71
All-Star Game: U.S. Army All-American Game and The Opening.
Class: 2016 Michigan Wolverine Recruiting Class (Signed).
Follow Lavert Hill: on Twitter
Ghost @VertHill21 Feb 3
So proud to say I'm officially committed to THE University of Michigan #GoBlue #NSD2016
Rankings:
24/7:
ESPN:
Rivals:
Scout:
Note: Stars do matter, but are not absolute in predicting success within a football program. So, with that in mind the GBMWolverine Message Board Staff has cleverly come up with a new system of ranking. We are using footballs instead of stars, how can one argue against a system that clever? Below are the interpretations of football power predicted way too boldly long before it matters. In other words, we will give informed opinion with the crystal ball and let the players determine what will happen through years of hard work.
Criteria: Raw talent, athleticism, position of need, intangibles.
GBMWolverine Message Board Staff Rankings:
10 footballs: Instant impact player.
9 footballs: Three or four-year starter at a high level.
8 footballs: A starter with all league potential.
7 footballs: A meaningful starter at some time during a career.
6 footballs: A spot starter or special teams player.
5 footballs: Not in the two deep after a two years.
4 footballs: Never made it.
1-3 footballs: See the above.
We have him at 8 footballs.
Side Note: Remember just as we did during the season with grading positions or groups we are very tough graders and expect a lot out of those positions or players so this is no different here.
Coach Don Brown on Lavert Hill
Lavert is a great cover corner and is also longer than you think. He just makes a lot of plays on the ball. He can play side-to-side on both corners, but can also walk in and play some nickel. He can kind of do it all on the coverage skills. He crosses off of the boxes on all of the coverage skills. We are excited to have Lavert as a member of our football team.
Coach Michael Zordich on Lavert Hill
Lavert is a really smart, fundamental, technique oriented kind of football player. He really understands the ins and outs of technique and how you should handle how we play man-to-man coverage here at Michigan. I’m really impressed with his knowledge of the game. He’s a really quiet young man, but he does have a lot of will, and he wants to be great. I can see that in him. Lavert is a man-to-man, get in your face and stay on the man type of corner. He has a great skill at playing a coverage that we play a lot of the time. Obviously that was our intrigue in him, and just watching him play the game, it comes very easy to him. We sat here and watched film together and he knows the answer before the question is even posed. Lavert is smart young man and someone who is going to be a great representative of our football program.
Coach Greg Jackson on Lavert Hill
Lavert is a special player at cornerback. He brings those intangibles that you can’t teach: instincts, quickness, transition in and out of breaks and reaction skills. Lavert has a knack for always being around the football and he is never far away from the receiver. He reminds me of Jourdan Lewis with his ability. I know that those two are friends and they have helped each other. Lavert also has the good fortune of having his brother Delano as a member of our secondary, which will help with his transition. Lavert has the ability to be a special player. He tracks the ball really well and has great vision. Lavert comes from a great family and has done a great job on the field and in the classroom. He helped Martin Luther King High School win a state championship this year and brings that championship attitude with him to Ann Arbor. We look forward to having Lavert join the Michigan football team.
Coach Tyrone Wheatley on Lavert Hill
Lavert, better known as the ‘Ghost,’ developed a nickname that suits him well. He is a guy that can shadow and cover receivers with the best of them. His bump-and-run and press coverage is incredible. Lavert runs the routes as if he’s in the receivers shoes. Not only that, but also ghost fits him well because Lavert is a quiet young man. I don’t think that I’ve ever heard more than 10 words come out of his mouth at any one time … but he is a great person and leader. He helped take Martin Luther King High School to the state championship and brings a great deal of confidence with him to Ann Arbor. Lavert has a very strong family with his mom and brother Delano, who is a safety for us, helping guide his development. I can’t say enough good things about Lavert. We can’t wait to get him on campus as a member of our team.
Key Stats:
• Had 12 interceptions, including three returned for touchdowns as a senior
• Helped lead MLK HS to a MHSAA Division 2 state championship as a senior
Honors:
• Participated in the 2016 U.S. Army All-American Game
• Named “Air Defender of the Year” as the nation’s top defensive back at the U.S. Army All-American Game
• Rivals.com four-star prospect and the No. 13 cornerback in the nation
• Listed as the sixth-best prospect in Michigan and the 194th-rated player nationally by Rivals.com
• Scout.com four-star prospect that rated as the No. 7 cornerback nationally and the top cornerback in Michigan
• Rated as a four-star prospect by ESPN and the 279th-best player on the ESPN300; listed as the No. 7 prospect in Michigan
In the Words of the Hill Family
From early on, Lavert had a quiet confidence about himself. He has always known what he wanted and through hard work, discipline and determination, he has been successful. Yes, Lavert is ambitious but he is also compassionate. He works and volunteers at the Roberto Clemente Recreation Center in Detroit, assisting the neighborhood youth. During his senior year, Lavert went undefeated, made the Detroit Free Press 2015 Dream Team and was named the 2016 U.S. Army All-American Defensive Back of the Year. Yet, he remains humble and driven to be the very best and deliver the very best of himself each and every day!
Overview:
Lavert Hill played wide receiver and cornerback for Detroit King’s state championship team. He could play either side of the ball at Michigan, but we think it is a no-brainer that he plays corner at Michigan. Lavert recorded 40 tackles with 12 interceptions playing cornerback. He also caught 33 passes for 786 yards and scored 9 touchdowns as a wide receiver, including two touchdown passes in the state championship game.
Strengths:
Lavert Hill has very fluid movement that includes back pedal, change of direction, and acceleration. His film shows excellent agility and bend. He is fearless in coverage and has the speed to play an aggressive style of corner. Hill has the ability to both read and jump routes and is a solid wrap-up tackler.
Concerns/Needs Work:
Hill definitely needs to add weight and get stronger. Related to this need is Lavert will also need to improve regarding shedding and beating blockers. His overall physical play needs an upgrade.
Red-shirt or play his Freshman Year?
GBMWolverine Message Board Staff believes he will likely play his first year. Lavert has the skill to play early and would make an ideal nickelback in passing situations.
Lavert Hill reminds the GBMWolverine Staff of — Current Michigan Football Player — Jourdan Lewis — who plays Cornerback.
Video Highlights:
2016 Michigan Wolverine Football Recruiting Class:
Michigan has twenty-eight signed commits at this time with Brandon Peters — Enrolled — (QB), Kingston Davis — Enrolled — (FB/HB), Michael Onwenu (OL), Chris Evans (Slot), Sean McKeon — Enrolled — (TE), Josh Metellus (S), Ben Bredeson (OL), Devin Gil (S/LB), Ron Johnson Jr. (DE), Brad Hawkins (WR), Ahmir Mitchell — Enrolled — (WR), Carlo Kemp — Enrolled — (DE/LB), Nate Johnson (WR), Devin Bush Jr. — Enrolled — (LB), Kareem Walker — Enrolled — (RB), Dylan Crawford (WR), Stephen Spanellis (OL), David Long (CB), Joshua Uche (DE), Elysee Mbem-Bosse (LB). Michael Dwumfour (DL), Eddie McDoom (Slot), Khaleke Hudson (LB/FB), Nick Eubanks (TE), LaVert Hill (CB), Quinn Nordin (K/P), Rashan Gary (DL), and Devin Asiasi (TE).
At this time Dytarious Johnson (LB) is still committed to Michigan, but has to complete some school work before his letter of intent will be accepted.
Final Thoughts:
We welcome Lavert Hill to Michigan and hope he has a successful career on and off the football field as a student-athlete at the University of Michigan. Go Blue!
Written by GBMWolverine Message Board Staff — CoachBT, Doc4Blu, and ErocWolverine
Go Blue — Wear Maize!