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Michigan safety Delano Hill (44) runs the ball in for a touchdown after intercepting Hawaii in the second quarter at Michigan Stadium on Saturday, September 3, 2016.
(Melanie Maxwell | The Ann Arbor News)
ANN ARBOR - Delano Hill didn't garner as much attention as many of his teammates on a dominant defense last season.
However, the former Michigan safety is still headed to the NFL - and higher than some anticipated.
Hill was picked by the Seattle Seahawks with the No. 31 pick in the third round (No. 95 overall) of the NFL draft on Friday night. He went just three picks after former Detroit Cass Tech and Michigan teammate Jourdan Lewis, a cornerback, was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys.
Hill became Michigan's fifth selection in this year's draft and the third in Friday's third round. Safety Jabrill Peppers was picked No. 25 in the first round by the Cleveland Browns on Thursday, followed by defensive end Taco Charlton at No. 28 to the Dallas Cowboys. Defensive end Chris Wormley was picked No. 10 in the third round (No. 74 overall) by the Baltimore Ravens and Lewis was No. 28 in the third round (No. 92 overall) by the Cowboys.
The older brother of Lavert Hill, a Michigan sophomore cornerback, Hill was a four-year contributor for the Wolverines. He finished his Michigan career with 119 tackles, including seven for a loss, three interceptions, eight pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
As a senior, Hill started all 13 games at strong safety and had 52 tackles, including 4.5 for a loss, three interceptions, three pass breakups and a forced fumble. He was an All-Big Ten second team selection.
Hill was one of 14 Michigan players invited to the NFL combine in March and turned heads with his speed. His 4.47-second 40-yard dash was the fifth-best time among all safeties.