It took a little longer than expected for Jim Harbaugh to crack into St. Frances Academy but he’s not only cracked into it, he may have created a future pipeline. As 2020 OLB Nikhai Hill-Green has committed to Michigan, giving the Wolverines three commits out of the Baltimore powerhouse in this class.
Commitment
Scouting Report
Hill-Green is a missile coming downfield. He’s a guy that could play multiple linebacker roles but could be destined for SAM or Viper with his size and versatility. He makes a ton of plays on the ball as he diagnoses plays quickly and uses his athleticism and burst to blow up plays in the backfield and outside the numbers. He’s a little tight in his hips but his length and closing speed makes up for it in coverage.
We’ll see how big he ends up getting but I really like his fit as a linebacker in a Don Brown defense. Could be a really good one.
Recruitment
This is one of those recruitments that flew under the radar a bit for the most part. Hill-Green was offered back in January and was a much bigger target than some may have believed. And that’s because of LB Coach Anthony Campanile. The new addition to the coaching staff offered the versatile linebacker while he was at Boston College and made sure to offer him again once he got to Ann Arbor.
Hill-Green received that offer and visited Michigan soon after. That’s when the Wolverines shot up his list. Following his visit, the staff stayed in close contact:
“I talk to (defensive coordinator) coach (Don) Brown a lot,” Hill-Green said. “I talk to the linebackers coach (Anthony Campanile) a lot. I know they breed linebackers. They put linebackers in the NFL. They push their players. They compete. I know that.”
Hill-Green’s interview with 247Sports’ Brian Dohn ($)
Though he started piling up offers this winter, nothing was big as Michigan. UM and Pitt were the two teams that stood out the most when he was ready to make his decision. But the Pittsburgh kid spurned his hometown team and found his athletic and academic fit in Ann Arbor, committing to Michigan on May 23rd.
- Height: 6’2”
- Weight: 230lbs
- Hometown (School): Pittsburgh, PA (St. Frances Academy; Baltimore, MD)
- Notable Offers: Pitt, Wisconsin, Boston College, Nebraska
- Rankings: Rivals (3*, #30 OLB) – 247Sports (4*, #274 overall) – ESPN (4*, #25 OLB)
- Composite Ranking: Three-star, #373 Overall, #28 OLB, #14 in Maryland
Highlights
As for the Rest of the Class
Hill-Green is the 8th overall commitment, 3rd linebacker commit, and 3rd commitment out of Maryland. And he may not be the last of either as Michigan is in great shape with another St. Frances Academy standout in RB Blake Corum. As for linebackers, names that are still on the board include LB Mitchell Melton, VLB William Mohan, OLB Kalel Mullings, and OLB Choe Bryant-Strother.
Photo Credit: Tyler Donohue, 247Sports
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