Nikhai Hill-Green's instant impact at Colorado is no surprise to his former coach

BOULDER — When Biff Poggi was putting together his first roster at Charlotte, he needed players who understood the culture and style of play he wanted to establish.

Nikhai Hill-Green was a natural fit.

Poggi coached Hill-Green for three years at Saint Frances Academy in Baltimore and then, after Hill-Green signed on to play at Michigan, Poggi was hired a year later by the Wolverines to be Jim Harbaugh’s associate head coach.

When Poggi got his first college head coaching gig with the 49ers to start the 2023 season, Hill-Green followed his old coach to Charlotte.

“He's a guy that I know and I trust,” Poggi told The Denver Gazette. “When you're trying to build something, he's a good person to have. Your first year, you gotta kinda put your team together and put your stamp on it and so it was very helpful having them here.

“He had a very high standard coming from Saint Frances where we won, coming from Michigan where we won and this was a program that hadn't won before — a new program, really. He was important, bringing a level and a standard of what it takes to win.”

But after being a big contributor as a sophomore for a Michigan team that went to the College Football Playoff in 2021, Hill-Green realized something in his one year in the Group of Five.

“That I belong,” he said.

Belonged on the biggest stage. After playing in 14 games and starting six in 2021, Hill-Green missed all of 2022 with an injury. He found himself again at Charlotte and was the team’s second-leading tackler with 73. But he knew he was built for something bigger.

When Hill-Green hit the transfer portal again with still one year of eligibility left, he had plenty of options. But ultimately, he trusted the coaches and the opportunity in Boulder.

“We want to make history,” Hill-Green said in an interview with CBS Sports Colorado. “We want to be legendary. That’s what we’ve said from the beginning.”

Hill-Green didn’t play much in the season opener against North Dakota State, but the following week at Nebraska he was a starter at linebacker. He has been in every game since and he’s tied for the team lead in tackles with 45 and second in tackles for loss with five.

With the way he flies to the ball, it’s no surprise the Baltimore native tries to model his game after Hall of Famer Ray Lewis — who spoke to the team virtually during preseason training camp. Hill-Green was dialed into every word.

“Just his practice habits, the passion about touching the ball, running to the ball and, really, just the lifestyle,” Hill-Green said. “Since he said that, I’ve been off social media a little bit. I post here and there, but I’m not really on it as much. Just focusing on the little things.”

That’s translated into his leadership abilities, too. Hill-Green wears the green dot on defense, meaning he is the one receiving the play call from coordinator Robert Livingston and relaying the call to the entire defense.

“His impact on this defense is tremendous,” Deion Sanders said. “I love the tone, I love the temperament, the aggressiveness, the physicality. I love what he brings to the table, as well as the intellect and insight.”

Hill-Green has been one of the top graded linebackers in the country by Pro Football Focus this season and could be playing his way into the NFL draft conversation.

Of the players who arrived in Boulder this summer, it's hard to find one making as big and instant of an impact as Hill-Green.

But those who have been around him for years are anything but surprised.

“I'm really proud of him,” Poggie said. “I'm very happy for him. I've known him since he was a high school kid, so he's been with me for a while and he's a really good person. He's a great player and Colorado got a great guy in him.”

Colorado at Arizona

Kickoff: 2 p.m. Saturday

Betting line: Buffs +2.5

Players to Watch

Colorado: WR LaJohntay Wester, DE B.J. Green

Even if Travis Hunter and Jimmy Horn Jr. are able to return for CU, Wester could still continue to emerge as Shedeur Sanders' favorite target. The two have had an instant connection on the field and Wester will be eager to continue his streak of five-straight games with a touchdown. Defensively, Green got his first two sacks as a Buff last week and feels on the verge of exploding into one of the top pass rushers in the Big 12.

Arizona: WR Tetairoa McMillan, CB Tacario Davis

McMillan is a lot to handle for any defense as the 6-foot-4 wideout looks the part of a future NFL receiver. The Wildcats funnel their offense through McMillan, the current Big 12 leader in receiving yards. If the Buffs can slow him down, they should be able to keep Arizona from lighting up the scoreboard. On the flip side, the Wildcats have a shutdown corner of their own in Tacario Davis, who will likely be used all over the field on a variety of CU wideouts.