Michigan Defensive Leaders Discuss Goals for 2026: 'Being an All-American This Year'

Cornerback Jyaire Hill and linebacker Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng talk about their individual and team goals for the upcoming season.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 5:22pm

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Michigan football players Jyaire Hill and Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng discussed their goals for the 2026 season, including Hill's decision to return to the Wolverines and both players' aims to earn individual accolades like All-Big Ten and All-American honors. The two also spoke about the team's defensive goals under new coordinator Jay Hill, with the goal of returning to the dominant form of the 2023 national championship season.

Why it matters

Michigan is looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2025 season, and the return of key defensive players like Hill and Owusu-Boateng is crucial to that effort. The Wolverines' defensive performance will be a major factor in determining their success in 2026 as they aim to compete for a Big Ten title and playoff berth.

The details

Cornerback Jyaire Hill considered entering the NFL draft but ultimately decided to return to Michigan for his senior season after discussions with his family, representatives, and the coaching staff. Hill and fellow defensive back Zeke Berry, who also initially entered the transfer portal but returned, have set their sights on being high draft picks in 2027. Linebacker Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng is also looking to step up as a leader on defense with the departures of several key players from last year's team.

  • Spring practice for Michigan begins on March 17, 2026.
  • The Wolverines' annual Spring Game will be held on April 18, 2026.

The players

Jyaire Hill

A rising senior cornerback for the Michigan Wolverines who considered entering the NFL draft but decided to return to Ann Arbor for one more season.

Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng

A sophomore linebacker for the Michigan Wolverines who is looking to step up as a leader on defense this season after the departures of several key players from last year's team.

Zeke Berry

A Michigan defensive back who initially entered the transfer portal but ultimately decided to return to the Wolverines for the 2026 season.

Jay Hill

The new defensive coordinator for the Michigan Wolverines, who has implemented a new defensive scheme focused on being fast and physical.

Kyle Whittingham

The new head coach of the Michigan Wolverines, taking over after the departure of Sherrone Moore.

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What they’re saying

“I was really having a lot of conversations with my family and coaching staff and some representative peoples. I mean, going back to like what advantages I have in the draft, leaving or something like that. And that's, that's what's going on.”

— Jyaire Hill, Cornerback (SI.com)

“Yeah, we was, we was talking about it a little bit. We both come back, you know, we're going to have to show a lot of — both come out high, high drafted. You know, that's our goal.”

— Jyaire Hill, Cornerback (SI.com)

“Obviously with, you know, all of our leaders on the defense, leaving Rayshaun, Ernest, Jimmy, it's a, not a big step for me, but it's a step I've been looking towards. Obviously, highly recruited out of high school, you know, having the choice to pick any school in the world.”

— Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng, Linebacker (SI.com)

“[He chose Michigan] because of the family, right? Because of what Michigan can provide for you. So obviously being a leader this year with the defense, obviously first-team All-Big Ten. Actually, that's a big goal for me. And being an All-American this year, for sure.”

— Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng, Linebacker (SI.com)

“Yeah, so the first meeting we had as a defense, I don't know if you remember this. Coach Hill showed us the stats from the 2023 season and what we did last year.”

— Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng, Linebacker (SI.com)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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