It’s true that college football players tend to hit the transfer button more than national-level players, but this doesn’t shape their sense of community negatively. These budding athletes share a wider sense of connection, which is evident when they call out each other “family.” Be it Julian Lewis calling Coach Prime’s son Shedeur Sanders his family on his birthday or Travis Hunter calling Jimmy Horn Jr. the same, they all share a bond beyond their competition, and another duo has joined the bandwagon.

Famed Alabama linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green took to Instagram stories to well-wish his friend Tony Grimes on his 23rd birthday. While most players either make a collage or post a recent high-definition picture of themselves, Hill-Green chose to post a grainy old picture. He’s spotted wearing the purple Michigan Wolverines‘ merch.

Smells like nostalgia! The boys look like they’ve had a practice session, and their smiles prove it was a good one. “More Life Fam,” Hill-Green penned before adding, “My dawg 4L [for life].” Yes, brotherhood is a real thing among college football players.

Tender age, great ambition, and greater challenges make it possible. They grow together, and such is the story of Hill-Green and Grimes too. Both were star recruits from their respective high schools before they joined their college teams. Both swapped teams through the transfer portal. And when both struggle together, what are they called? Brothers in arms!

Different teams yet same battle for Nikhai Hill-Green and Tony Grimes

Nikhai Hill-Green, a disciple of Biff Poggi and Hank Russel, came out of his high school, St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, Maryland as a three-star linebacker recruit to the Michigan Wolverines in 2020. The 6’2″, 232 lbs defensive player proved to be an asset for Michigan. While his freshman year was just the calm before the storm, his sophomore years were terrific. He appeared in all 14 games and also played in special teams, making 50 tackles including 2 for a loss and 1 pass breakup. He dropped jaws widely when recorded 8 tackles against Rutgers in 2021, singlehandedly making 6 and assisting in the rest 2. An unstoppable young powerhouse!

However, “unstoppable” would indeed be the incorrect word to use, as after such performances, Hill-Green had to take a seat for a whole year due to an undisclosed soft tissue injury. Just when Michigan geared up to wreak havoc in 2023 with the now-recuperated LB, he hit the transfer and went to the Charlotte 49ers. 2024 marked his senior year in Colorado, with his record highest 82 total tackles. Boy came a long way from Michigan!

Meanwhile, Tony Grimes started as a five-star cornerback prospect in the 2020 class. The 6’2″, 190 lbs Virginia native joined North Carolina. After 37 games in UNC, recording a total of 97 tackles, the cornerback hit off from Texas A&M in search of better opportunities. But there he met an injury, which, like his friend, made him miss the entire 2023 season. He’s now a cornerback at Purdue, after transferring from Texas A&M to UNLV in 2024.

Brothers in arms, right? Hill-Green and Grimes, both have that flare to stare at the trophy, the ambition, and the persistence. Both suffered major year-losing injuries and crawled back up to fight! Their battles might happen in different teams, different states, and different fields, yet this one birthday post brings it all to the forefront! Friends “4L” for a reason!

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