What is Alabama Getting in Transfer LB Nikhai Hill-Green?

Going into the 2024 season, Alabama was expecting to lose its top three linebackers from the 2024 season, with Deontae Lawson and Jihaad Camobell expected to depart early for the NFL draft, and Justin Jefferson out of collegiate eligibility.

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Plans can change, however, and for Alabama, it did. Deontae Lawson suffered an injury at the end of the regular season and had to postpone his dreams of the NFL, and Justin Jefferson got an extra year of eligibility after receiving an NCAA waiver. The Crimson Tide added more veteran experience to the linebacker room, adding Nikhai Hill-Green from Colorado.

Hill-Green, who is in his last year of eligibility, was an All-Big 12 selection last year for the Buffaloes, recording 82 tackles, four pass breakups, two interceptions, and two sacks.

The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, native will now look to accomplish his dream of heading to the NFL by way of Alabama. What is the Crimson Tide getting in him? I asked Alabama linebacker Deontae Lawson on Wednesday at SEC Media Days.

"Nikhai is a vet. I think this is his sixth year, so he's seen anything in college football. He transferred a few times, so he's been with multiple different programs," Lawson said. "He's a great player. He's a great guy to be around. He brings that older, old-head mentality to our linebacker room.

"You need them guys to be that old-head. I guess I'm an old-head too, but he's just coming to work every day, just trying to establish himself into our defense, and I'm excited for him."

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Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.