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Under-the-radar SEC LB prospect checks athletic boxes for 49ers
TL;DR
Nikhai Hill-Green, an SEC linebacker from Alabama, is attracting attention from the San Francisco 49ers due to his impressive athletic testing numbers. He recently had a virtual pre-draft meeting with the team, aligning closely with the measurements of previous 49ers linebacker draft picks.
The San Francisco 49ers certainly have a type of prospect they look for at linebacker in the NFL draft. Alabama's Nikhai Hill-Green checks a ton of those boxes.
Per Sports Illustrated's Justin Melo, Hill-Green had a virtual pre-draft meeting with San Francisco. A quick peek at his athletic testing numbers show why the club may have interest in the SEC product.
The measurements and athletic test for Hill-Green line up very closely with those of LBs Dee Winters (sixth-round 49ers draft pick in 2023), Tatum Bethune (seventh-round 49ers draft pick in 2024) and Nick Martin (third-round 49ers draft pick in 2025).
Let's start with measurements, where Hill-Green checks in at 6-1, 223 pounds with 32 3/8-inch arms and a 78-inch wingspan according to the Athletic's Dane Brugler. Here's how that looks against what the trio of 49ers LBs clocked in before the draft per Mock Draftable:
- Hill-Green: 6-1, 223 pounds, 32 3/8-inch arms, 78-inch wingspan
- Winters: 5-11, 227 pounds, 31 5/8-inch arms, 75-inch wingspan
- Bethune: 5-11 1/2, 229 pounds, 32 3/8-inch arms, 78-inch wingspan
- Martin: 5-11 1/2, 221 pounds, 31 3/4-inch arms, 78 3/8-inch wingspan
Hill-Green lines up well within the range of all those measurables. His athletic testing is also close, although his 40-yard dash time falls a tick short of his 49ers counterparts. Hill-Green had a 4.65 40-yard dash with a 1.58-second 10-yard split. He posted a 112-inch broad jump, a 34 1/2-inch vertical leap and hit 23 reps on the bench press. Here are the 49ers LB testing numbers (Bethune's Pro Day numbers via Draft Scout):
- Hill-Green: 4.65 40-yard dash, 1.58 10-yard split, 112-inch broad, 34 1/2-inch vertical, 23 reps
- Winters: 4.49 40-yard dash, 1.56 10-yard split, 117-inch broad, 30 1/2-inch vertical, 20 reps
- Bethune: 4.77 40-yard dash, 1.63 10-yard split, 115-inch broad, 30 1/2-inch vertical, 19 reps
- Martin: 4.53 40-yard dash, 1.54 10-yard split, 123-inch broad, 38-inch vertical, 26 reps
Brugler projects that Hill-Green will go undrafted after a tumultuous college career that began in 2020 at Michigan. He spent two seasons with the Wolverines, missed the entire 2022 season, spent 2023 at Charlotte, 2024 at Colorado and 2025 at Alabama.
His most productive year came in 2024 with the Buffaloes where he racked up 82 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, two interceptions and four pass breakups in 12 games.
Last season in the SEC his numbers dipped some with 60 tackles and 5.0 TFLs with three pass breakups in 15 games.
If Hill-Green is undrafted, or if the 49ers manage to scoop up a late-round pick via a trade during the draft, the Alabama LB certainly looks the part of a player the 49ers would bring into their LB room.
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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: NFL draft: Alabama LB Nikhai Hill-Green met with 49ers
Q&A
What are Nikhai Hill-Green's measurements and athletic stats?
Nikhai Hill-Green measures 6-1, 223 pounds with 32 3/8-inch arms and a 78-inch wingspan.
Which NFL team is interested in Nikhai Hill-Green?
The San Francisco 49ers have shown interest in Nikhai Hill-Green, having conducted a virtual pre-draft meeting with him.
How does Nikhai Hill-Green compare to other 49ers linebacker draft picks?
Hill-Green's athletic measurements closely match those of previous 49ers linebacker draft picks, including Dee Winters, Tatum Bethune, and Nick Martin.
