2022 Season Countdown: #22 Nikhai Hill-Green

 

Nikhai Hill-Green (image via MGoBlue)

Name: Nikhai Hill-Green
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 232 lbs.
High school: Baltimore (MD) St. Frances
Position: Linebacker
Class: Junior
Jersey number: #41
Last year: I ranked Hill-Green #44 and said he would be a backup linebacker (LINK). He started six games and made 50 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and 1 pass breakup.
TTB Rating: 81

Hill-Green began the 2021 season as a starting inside linebacker next to senior captain Joshua Ross. He had improved from 2020, but there were still some bumps in the road. As the season went along, his spot was usurped by freshman Junior Colson. Hill-Green did fine against the lower level teams on Michigan's schedule, but when competition got tougher, teams started to pick on him a little bit.

I expect him to be better in 2022. Not only have reviews been positive, but young linebackers always seem to struggle. Unless a player is elite, most guys aren't going to be successful until their third or fourth year, once they get experience under their belts. In Hill-Green's case, he got some experience during his freshman COVID year, but it was a shortened season with limited practice time. With Ross having graduated and moved on, I expect Hill-Green to play alongside Colson at inside linebacker, with Mike Barrett also pushing for playing time.

Prediction: Starting inside linebacker; 70 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception