How Colorado transfer linebacker is fitting in at Alabama in fall camp

Alabama football’s inside linebacker unit has dealt with its fair share of injuries.

The Crimson Tide lost Deontae Lawson towards the end of the 2024 season when he went down with a lower-body injury. Justin Jefferson was limited in the spring after being cleared to return to Alabama for another season after playing multiple seasons at the JUCO level before joining the Tide.

There was once uncertainty about how Alabama’s linebacker room would look in 2025. Lawson had the choice to return to Alabama for another year or move on to the NFL. Jefferson’s time was up before the NCAA issued extra eligibility to players who played JUCO football. This uncertainty prompted Alabama to look for an experienced linebacker in the portal.

Then, Alabama found Colorado transfer linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green.

Lawson highlighted how Hill-Green has looked in fall camp so far while talking to reporters on Wednesday.

“Nikhai, man he’s a veteran guy,” Lawson said. “We call him ‘Unc’ a little bit, I get called that a bit too, but he’s just physical and can get downhill. He adds an extra element of run-stopping and being the quarterback of the defense. He can do it all.”

Lawson believes Hill-Green adds another veteran presence to Alabama’s inside linebacker room.

“The good thing I like about Nikhai is he doesn’t care about anything else, he just wants to do whatever he can to help this team win, and that’s all you can ask for,” Lawson said. “I’m excited for him.”

Hill-Green spent two seasons at Michigan, one at Charlotte and then transferred to Colorado. He was a force for the Buffaloes last year as he racked up 82 total tackles, deflected four passes, caught two interceptions and got two sacks.

As a graduate student, Hill-Green has an opportunity to put a bow on his collegiate career and use his veteran knowledge and run-stopping ability to strength the Crimson Tide’s front seven.