Nikhai Hill-Green was one of the key pickups for Alabama football in the winter transfer portal after playing at Colorado in 2024. An experienced off-the-ball linebacker, he’ll be a sixth-year senior with the Crimson Tide in 2025. The Tuscaloosa News watched every snap Hill-Green had in four games at Colorado last fall, using the All-22 video angle, for the following analysis:
Experience: Alabama will be the fourth collegiate stop for Hill-Green (6-1, 230 pounds). The Baltimore native signed with Michigan out of high school and started six games for the Wolverines as a sophomore in 2021, making 50 tackles. He missed all of 2022 with an injury, then transferred to Charlotte for 2023, where he made 73 stops in one season. Then it was off to Colorado, where he enjoyed his most productive season yet.
2024 stats at Colorado: 82 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, two sacks.
All-22 tape reviewed: Arizona, Nebraska, Kansas, Kansas State
How he was used at Colorado: Hill-Green played the Mike (middle) linebacker position for the Buffaloes, directing the defensive front as CU’s “green dot” defender who got the pre-snap, in-helmet communication with defensive coordinator Robert Livingston. He rarely blitzed and was primarily dropped into zone coverage on pass plays.
What he does well: Hill-Green is a classic downhill inside ‘backer. He plays through blocks rather than around them, meeting offensive linemen in the hole to disrupt the point of attack even when he doesn’t make the tackle. On running plays to the A or B gaps, he diagnoses and fills with confidence and authority.
What he doesn’t do well: While he consistently shows the power needed to give blockers a jolt, he could improve his hand usage to disengage and separate from them more quickly. He’s a hustler, but doesn’t show elite speed.
How he fits in at Alabama: Entering spring practice, consider Hill-Green the favorite to join Deontae Lawson and Justin Jefferson as Alabama’s three primary inside linebackers. He’ll likely compete in Jihaad Campbell’s role, as Lawson figures to return to his position as middle linebacker and signal caller. Hill-Green doesn’t cover ground to the perimeter or in pass coverage as well as Campbell (very few do), so he could be off the field in favor of Jefferson in obvious passing situations. Nevertheless, Hill-Green should provide defensive coordinator Kane Wommack with a valuable thumper on early downs, short-yardage, and goal line situations.
Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread is also the weekly co-host of Crimson Cover TV on WVUA-23. Reach him at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on X.com @chasegoodbread.
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