Michigan picks up Big Ten-best 3rd 2013 commit from versatile tight end Khalid Hill
The Michigan football team picked up its third commitment for 2013 on Monday afternoon, and it comes at a spot where the Wolverines are thin.
Khalid Hill, a tight end from Detroit Crockett High School, was offered by the Wolverines shortly before 4 p.m. He committed on the spot, coach Brady Hoke by his side.
Hill, who stands 6-foot-2, 235 pounds, follows quarterback Shane Morris and safety Dymonte Thomas in verbally committing to Michigan for 2013. The Wolverines are the only Big Ten school with as many as three commits. Ohio State has two.
Hill already is close to Morris, one of the nation's top quarterbacks who preps at Warren DeLaSalle. They have played on the same seven-on-seven team. He also has a relationship with tailback Dennis Norfleet, a Detroit Martin Luther King product who signed with Michigan for 2012.
Scout Midwest recruiting expert Allen Trieu said there was never any doubt Hill would end up at Michigan. It was only a matter of when he was offered.
"He's a lifelong Michigan fan," Trieu said. "It wasn't ever going to be an issue of whether he went there. Just when.
"I'm maybe a little surprised it happened now, but there wasn't going an issue of whether he'd end up there."
Michigan signed two tight ends last week, as Farmington Hills Harrison's Devin Funchess and Cincinnati's A.J. Williams joined the program. But, Trieu said Hill will be used differently than those two.
Hill is more of an H-back type, Trieu said. That means he'll be a sort of fullback-tight end hybrid, often lining up in the backfield.
The Wolverines signed Sione Houma, their first fullback in five years, last week. The two could compete for playing time.
"Hill is different than this tight end class, in that he's not 6-5," Trieu said. "He'll be almost like a fullback, and I think Michigan was looking for that kind of versatility.
"With Houma, he's more of a ball carrier, and Hill's going to be more of a receiver."
Hill caught 29 passes last year for 448 yards and six touchdowns as a junior at Detroit Crockett High School. He camped at Michigan last summer, where he put on an impressive display.
Because Hill is more of an H-back type, Trieu said Michigan could still target one more tight end for 2013. It has around 18 scholarships for that class, with three now spoken for.
Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.
Comments
Squeek Eron
Wed, Feb 8, 2012 : 10:20 p.m.
Thanks for recruiting in Michigan for a change.
Chad Williams
Tue, Feb 7, 2012 : 6:10 p.m.
Good pick up because of need but hoke can't sit in michigan and grab 10 guys just because. Michigan has maybe 10 guys u really want. Carr was great nationally as well and hoke is going to look outside of michigan and ohio. Signing day was a disappointment because all the recruits in the other 48 states werent that interested.
umgoblue47
Tue, Feb 7, 2012 : 3:18 p.m.
sorry, i was thinking dan gibb for the above post. another great pickup for MICHIGAN!! GO BLUE!!!!!!
umgoblue47
Tue, Feb 7, 2012 : 3:12 p.m.
rightmind is it? he is a 3/star prospect on scout. . . he is a very smart kid on the field and in the classroom and he diden't cost us a scholarship! GO BLUE!!!!!!
Hailmary
Tue, Feb 7, 2012 : 1:29 p.m.
"Where's the Beef " ? It's in Ann Arbor.
RJ12688
Tue, Feb 7, 2012 : 6:30 a.m.
Big, athletic, and fast. Power football is coming back to AA, and I love it. The kid looks like he could be a play maker. Only time will tell. GO BLUE
Matt Patercsak
Tue, Feb 7, 2012 : 4:06 a.m.
I agree with Trieu in that he will become a pass catching fullback! and I love it!!! Load up on the beef, fullbacks for everyone!!!! gaahahhh!! ...excuse me. Testosterone overdose after imagining the welts that our offense is going to produce on defenders. they will FEEL when they are playing Michigan let OSU run their spread. we'll come off the ball and hit you in the mouth
rightmind250
Tue, Feb 7, 2012 : 3:17 a.m.
This is kind of a stretch for Hoke to take a kid like this this early. He is very small for a tight end. He is not even rated. Zero stars. What's up with that? He obviously has talent , but with limited scholarships I am not sure about this. There are some stud tight ends in the 2013 class. Does this mean Hoke doesn't feel he has the ability to land Adam Breneman?
Aljuanason
Thu, Feb 9, 2012 : 1:18 a.m.
This kid has a lot of potential. I saw him play quite a bit as a junior and he wasn't utilized enough in my opinion. When he did receive the ball, he made play after play. Also he is between 6'3" and 6'3.5" and may still be growing. He was around 6'2" as a sophomore.
rightmind250
Tue, Feb 7, 2012 : 1:18 p.m.
You sound like you might have some real issues there RJ. I was simply pointing out the obvious that wasn't included in this article. You never question one's decision? What do they call that? A yes man?
RJ12688
Tue, Feb 7, 2012 : 6:27 a.m.
As the article states, the kid could play TE and FB. He's a little short for a true tight end but after watching his tape its pretty clear to see that he brings a good mix of speed, size and athleticism. Bringing in recruits early has its benefits. The kids will recruit others, and you get a clearer idea of what you need for your next recruits. The only thing thats a stretch is for someone to doubt Hoke's recruiting ability. Even the biggest OSU slappy should clearly see that recruiting is a strong point for Hoke and his staff.
azwolverine
Tue, Feb 7, 2012 : 1:29 a.m.
Scott, Are you sure we have only 18 scholarships to give? For some reason I thought we had more, especially after the class was three short of the limit this year. I could be wrong...but that would be the first time ever, so it's not likely. Just kidding, I'll have to look it up, though. By the way, for all of the bucknut fans who said that suddenly no one wanted to come to UM...I think you were proven wrong...again (remember the 25 who signed in our top 10 class? That was the first time.)
Scott
Mon, Feb 6, 2012 : 11:21 p.m.
Good news. With only 18 scholarships to give in 2013 Michigan will have to be very selective. The QB and DE are positions of need. I don't quite understand why Michigan signed so many- 3- safeties in 2012 and already 1 already in 2013. Don't know if any of these guys can play DB. Maybe if they get big enough LB? There are something like 10 safeties showing on the roster at safety but some play at LB. There are another 10 listed as LB's. Confusing.
Rabid Wolverine
Tue, Feb 7, 2012 : 1:50 p.m.
The actual number of scholarships that can be given out will not be known until Fall of next year. There are always guys who drop/transfer/run into the law, grey shirting, etc...
Terry Star21
Mon, Feb 6, 2012 : 10:27 p.m.
Great news, at a spot where we were thin....less scholarships for 2013 no problem, just fill the remaining holes. What a great story, committing on the spot (after offer)...a win win, now Hill can concentrate on his senior year and Fred Jackson and company have a bit less work to do....priceless. MgoBlueForTiM.....oh the recruits, waiting for us with pen in hand..
garrisondyer
Tue, Feb 7, 2012 : 7:53 p.m.
I'm assuming "cuh-LEED". Looks like he'll be able to help the team a lot!
Terry Star21
Mon, Feb 6, 2012 : 10:38 p.m.
Khalid pronounced; K-lid or Cal-id or ____? Also Alex Kozan must be seriosly struggling with decision ?
MRunner73
Mon, Feb 6, 2012 : 10:27 p.m.
The 2013 race is on. This is a marathon, not a sprint but Brady Hoke and staff are off to a quick start. No mid term break for them. The constant comparing to Urban Meyer doesn't phase me, but so be it. The only score I care about is with Michigan vs ohio is Michigan winning on the football field ahead by 1, 10 or more points as time expires. GO BLUE!!
azwolverine
Tue, Feb 7, 2012 : 1:31 a.m.
Just like UM won this past season, 40-34. How many days has it been since ohio beat Michigan?