Michigan DB Brandyn Hillman on big hits: 'Trying to take somebody's head off'
The Michigan Wolverines are searching for silver linings this season sitting at 5-5 on the year with two games to go, but one of them has materialized in the form of sophomore defensive back Brandyn Hillman.
Hillman has suited up in 9 of 10 games this season and has developed a reputation for laying big hits on opposing players. Last weekend, he knocked out two Indiana starters in a three-play stretch, but did it cleanly and within the rules.
“I’d probably say it’s a practice thing,” Hillman revealed about his big hits. “I practice like that every week. I wish I could show you all the practice film, but I can’t. I really run to the ball like that all the time. It’s like, you gotta practice like that so you can come out on game day and play like that.
“We pretty much go through it throughout the week. Each week we have a circuit or something ahead and they get specific. I’m talking about like, don’t lead with your head, what areas to hit with. Can’t lead around a head area or something. So I really like to hone in on it because as you can see, I like it. I want everything I do to be clean and safe.”
Hillman knows there’s a fine lime between big hits and playing too aggressively. He’s going to keep striking that balance in a Michigan uniform until further notice.
“I mean, it’s good. I [don’t] get kicked out, [don’t get any] flags, so it feels good and also still make the play for my team, so it’s all good,” Hillman said. “I kind of just let the ref judge that. If he throws the flag, he throws the flag. I just know I got one more try. I don’t think it’s anything too crazy. I don’t think about it going into it. I literally see ball, and I just go get it. That’s my mentality.
“[If I get flagged], I’m going to keep going. I’m going to keep going. Hopefully not gonna say I’m getting a flag race like coming up. But if I do get a flag, it’s gonna show nothing different. I’m gonna be the same player.
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“I’m not gonna act any different. I’m still trying to take somebody’s head off. That’s just me.”
Hillman played quarterback in high school but has always had a knack for playing the game physically.
“My grandma used to hold up the pillow in front of the couch and I used to run full speed and try to hit it,” Hillman said. “I always kind of like embracing big hits. But I used to watch college big hits highlights on YouTube. Kam Chancellor highlights. love tackling people, big hits are my thing. It means a lot, I’ve done a lot of work for it.”
Hillman knows that the next step for him at Michigan is rounding himself more into just a big hitter and he wants to be more disruptive on the ball and flipping the field. He’s working on it daily and using on the resources available to get there.
“Probably my ball skills,” Hillman said. “Taking the ball out the air, jumping routes. I gotta learn stuff like that, being new to defensive back. Stuff like that. Just working around guys and really specializing in that.
“I played quarterback. So coming into this and changing to defensive back, having people that’s already did it, I can ask questions. It’s just kind of just makes the game fast for me. I don’t have to worry about anything because I know if I do have a question, I could ask somebody.
