When others give someone a nickname, it sticks more times than not.
Ha’Sean Clinton-Dix’s grandmother nicknamed him ‘Ha Ha,’ and it became his name at the University of Alabama. No one knows where Ga’Quincy McKinstry got his nickname from, but everyone calls him ‘Kool-Aid.’ When one gives itself a nickname, it has to prove its worth. DeMarcco Hellams, a senior safety for the Crimson Tide, enters a marquee season with NFL Draft implications.
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He started last year with an ankle injury, but Hellams finished well. He collected 87 tackles — including 2.5 tackles for loss — as the starting free safety. The Washington D.C. native totaled three pass breakups and shared the team lead for interceptions (three). Hellams, who stands at 6-foot-1 and 208 pounds, has the body type and playing style of an outside linebacker.
Dynamic safeties that come to mind as elite hitters and cover guys include Ed Reed, Bob Sanders, Troy Polamalu, and Sean Taylor. Landon Collins was a big hitter at Alabama, but he has grown to be a good coverage safety in the NFL. Eddie Jackson and Minkah Fitzpatrick lowered the boom for the Tide, but they were more known for returning interceptions for touchdowns.
Jordan Battle, a senior safety for Alabama, unveiled his teammate’s nickname last week.
“I love DeMarcco,” Battle said. “He is Hitman Hellams. He is a big hitter. He is back and is doing a great job taking care of his body, he’s great mentally, and he is locked in. We are both locked in and focused on what we need to do to get better this year.”
He is comfortable with Hellams next to him, but Battle said Hellams coined the nickname himself.
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“His play speaks for it,” he said. “When he breaks on the ball, wide receivers are timid to catch it.”
Can Hellams live up to the name? Alabama’s coaching staff and fans want to see it happen. Hellams can work himself into a late first to early second-round pick for 2023 with a successful season. His nickname means he is about business, forcing turnovers, and making Alabama the nation’s most elite defense. Hellams is one of the veterans, and now is the time for him to step up.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
