Dax Hill assessed how Michigan prepared him for the NFL

Cincinnati surprised everybody by representing the AFC in this year’s Super Bowl. The Bengals ended up coming up short of winning the game but will be looking to run it back during the 2022 season. Roster improvement has been a goal offseason and drafting Michigan‘s Dax Hill in the first round was one of their top moves.

During his introductory press conference, Hill was asked how the Wolverines’ program prepared him for the NFL. The defensive back credited head coach Jim Harbaugh, saying all of the tough practices he went through have paid off.

“I definitely feel like Coach Harbaugh had me prepared and I appreciated it,” Hill said. “Now, in retrospect, seeing all the hard practices we did. It was kind of like a means to an end. I knew it was for a reason and it was for this reason right now. So, I feel like he definitely prepared me for this situation.”

Hill entered the program as a five-star prospect and instantly was a starter for Michigan. Playing across the secondary, Hill was named first-team All-Big Ten by coaches around the league. The Wolverines were also able to feature in the College Football Playoff thanks to his efforts.

Cincinnati will have the opportunity to play Hill in multiple positions as he looks to help the franchise make another deep playoff run. Michigan and Harbaugh have done the best they can to prepare him for the moment when the lights officially come on in September.

Dax Hill signs rookie deal with Cincinnati Bengals

A little more than two weeks after the 2022 NFL Draft, Cincinnati Bengals rookie Daxton Hill is officially putting pen to paper on his rookie deal on Wednesday. The former Michigan star and the Bengals came to terms on the contract that will keep him in Cincinnati through at least 2025, according to insider Ian Rapoport.

The Wolverines star will make a total of $11.6 million over the next four years, including a $5.6 million signing bonus. He will make a base salary of $2.1 million in 2022 and also has a fifth-year option for 2026.

The Bengals selected Hill with the No. 31 overall pick on night one of the draft. He was the second former Wolverine off of the board, following edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson at No. 2 to the Lions.

Hill had 69 total tackles, including 42 solo stops, and two interceptions for the Wolverines in 2021. He was an integral part of the Wolverine secondary.