2021 Season Countdown: #44 Nikhai Hill-Green

2021 Season Countdown: #44 Nikhai Hill-Green


July 23, 2021
Nikhai Hill-Green (image via 247 Sports)

Name: Nikhai Hill-Green
Height:
6’1″
Weight:
225 lbs.
High school:
Baltimore (MD) St. Frances
Position:
Linebacker
Class:
Redshirt freshman
Jersey number:
#41
Last year:
I ranked Hill-Green #68 and said he would be a backup linebacker (LINK). He played in three games and made 1 tackle.
TTB Rating:
81

Hill-Green has seen a meteoric rise in his prospects over the past year or so. Michigan at one time seemed well stocked at linebacker, with a lot of moving parts between inside linebacker, Viper, and SAM. Here are a few things that happened at linebacker since Hill-Green signed:

  • High school teammate Osman Savage transferred to Alabama A&M
  • Charles Thomas entered the transfer portal
  • Cam McGrone had an underwhelming 2020 but entered the draft, anyway
  • Ben VanSumeren transferred to Michigan State
  • William Mohan transferred to Tennessee
  • Cornell Wheeler transferred to Kansas

Savage, Thomas, McGrone, and Wheeler were all inside linebackers like Hill-Green.

There are still obstacles in the way at inside linebacker, but practice reports have been good about Hill-Green. He seems to be in line for playing time, but last year’s staff was higher on Kalel Mullings, and Anthony Solomon has an advantage on both in on-field experience. That’s not to mention that Josh Ross and Michael Barrett are incumbent starters.

Prediction: Backup inside linebacker

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