Nikhai Hill-Green made some noise while playing at Michigan. He made some noise during his one season at Charlotte.

He’s starting to make some noise at Colorado, too.

One of the bright spots of CU’s 28-10 loss at Nebraska last Saturday was the emergence of Hill-Green, as he started at inside linebacker and finished with seven tackles.

“Yes and no,” he said when asked if the start was a shot of confidence, “because I prepare the same way. Whether I was the backup last week against North Dakota State or the starter against Nebraska, whatever they need me to do or ask me to do, I would just be ready, and I’ll prepare the same way.”

Hill-Green’s approach led him to getting the start after playing just eight snaps in a season-opening win against North Dakota State.

“His experience playing the game,” linebackers coach Andre Hart said. “I got a lot of guys there that’s done that, but he’s been on the big stage before. He’s got a great IQ. I mean, the tests that we give him in the meetings, he’s aced all of those.”

Hill-Green played three seasons (2020-22) at Michigan, making an impact in 2021 as a six-game starter with 50 tackles. He didn’t get on the field in 2022, though, and transferred to Charlotte last year. With the 49ers, he racked up 73 tackles, including nine tackles for loss and two sacks.

His time at Charlotte sparked his move to Colorado.

“Sometimes at Charlotte I felt that stadium is not as big, lights aren’t as big. It’s not what I’m used to,” he said. “This is what I work all year round for to play in stadiums like Nebraska and stadiums we’ll play in this year. So yeah, that’s what I learned (at Charlotte), that I really belong here.”

With LaVonta Bentley and Hill-Green penciled in as starters — for now — Hart said another veteran linebacker, Trevor Woods, could fill a new role.

“He’s going to be in the game plan again for our dime packages, and also some of our other packages, where we want to put more guys who can cover on the field,” Hart said.

Fast starts

Two games into the season, the Buffs have had slow starts on defense. The offense also got off to a slow start at Nebraska.

This week, players and coaches have said there’s a focus on getting rolling out of the gates.

“It’s just the approach to the game,” defensive lineman BJ Green said. “You gotta play everything like it’s your last. You gotta play like there’s somebody that you care about that depends on it. Like coach was saying, you gotta attack every call, one call at a time, and execute those calls to the fullest. Every play could be your last.”

Hill-Green said “it’s just a mindset from the guys,” and that veterans such as Bentley, safety Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig and cornerback Travis Hunter are leading the charge.

“We’re kind of being player-led about starting fast and about just not taking this play for granted, coming out with the most energy we’ll have on the first play and carrying it through the series,” he said.

Notable

CSU star receiver Tory Horton is hopeful to play after an injury last week. The Buffs are preparing to see Horton, who had 16 catches for 133 yards against CU last year. “We’re prepared,” cornerback DJ McKinney said. “That’s the main thing, our preparation has to be better. We making sure we’re prepared, watching film, communicating on the field, and then just executing to the best of our ability.” … Quarterback Shedeur Sanders moved into 10th on CU’s career passing yards list and is just 81 yards away from 4,000 (3,919).