Michigan football fans won’t like the latest rumors ahead of Orange Bowl

Dec 4, 2021; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2021; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Michigan football is heading into the Orange Bowl with high hopes for the College Football Playoff but they could be missing a key defensive starter.

What Jim Harbaugh has accomplished with the Michigan football team this season has been truly remarkable, particularly when it comes to overcoming the hurdles that had consistently tripped up the Wolverines for years. For their efforts, they’re now preparing to face off with Georgia in the Orange Bowl for a College Football Playoff semifinal.

However, there is growing buzz among Michigan reporters and fans that the Wolverines defense, one of their calling cards, could be without one of its best players for the game due to COVID.

Rumors are circulating that star safety Dax Hill is out with COVID. This coincides with other reports that one defensive starter is out with COVID and, though unconfirmed, it appears as though Hill is the player in question if the rumors are to be believed.

Michigan football rumors: Dax Hill out for Orange Bowl with COVID

The Michigan defensive line (deservedly) gets a ton of credit for the boost they provide, particularly with Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo coming off the edge. Dax Hill has been a star in his own right for the Wolverines, though.

Projected by some to be a first-round pick — along with Hutchinson — in the forthcoming 2022 NFL Draft, Hill has been a versatile and highly athletic presence in the Wolverines secondary who can effectively line up deep, in the box, or in the slot as a cover man.

Though the loss of Dax Hill wouldn’t be the end of the world or a reason to write off Michigan by any stretch, not having the safety on the field would certainly be a detriment to the defensive efforts against a talent-laden Georgia offense.

Next. Best college football duos of the modern era. dark

For more NCAA football news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage by FanSided, including Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff rankings, be sure to bookmark these pages.