Recent days have been full of good news for Alabama football’s 2025 linebackers. On Friday, Crimson Tide defensive coordinator Kane Wommack confirmed that Justin Jefferson will likely be able to return next season, but before that, UA made a major transfer portal addition.

Nikhai Hill-Green, who spent the 2024 season at Colorado, earning second-team All-Big 12 honors, opted to join the Crimson Tide.

“Excited about Nikhai coming with our program,” Wommack said Friday, after the Crimson Tide’s first ReliaQuest practice in Tampa. “Here’s a guy with a lot of experience, he’s played a lot of snaps. When we got him in there, and had meetings with him, talked ball with him during his official visit it was very evident how smart of a ball player he was, how good of a communicator he’s gonna be.”

Hill-Green joined the Buffaloes after a stint at Charlotte. He began his college career at Michigan, and will be using his final season of eligibility in 2025.

His presence could be a major boost for a linebacking core that could potentially be losing both Deontae Lawson and Jihaad Campbell to the NFL Draft.

“For us, having that experience with a group of guys with a lot of reps that we’re losing, a lot of mental reps, I think him and his experience is gonna be critical for us moving forward,” Wommack said.

Hill-Green made 82 total tackles throughout the 2024 season, including two sacks. He also intercepted two passes for Colorado, which will finish its year in the Alamo Bowl after going 9-3.

Meanwhile, the Crimson Tide will finish off its 2024 on Tuesday in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Michigan. That game is scheduled to kick off at 11 a.m. CT and will be aired on ESPN.