Offense or defense, Nikko Hall plans to be a playmaker at CSU

Many high school athletes play offense and defense in football. Few are good enough to receive Division I college offers on each side. Even fewer have a recruiting list dotted with the biggest Power 5 names.

Nikko Hall accomplished all of that, which makes it odd that he was standing on the CSU sidelines at a recent spring practice.

Hall was just off the hip of Rams receivers coach Alvis Whitted, as close as a shadow, watching intently, quietly listening and learning everything Whitted was telling his receivers.

Then Hall drifted 20 yards downfield where he did the same with George Helow and the Rams’ safeties.

He was itching to put on the pads.

On that recent day, the highly touted recruit from California was just an observer at a spring practice. He can’t participate until this summer, but he’s trying to get a jump on things before he officially gets to start practicing at Colorado State University.

“I’m just trying to do everything to help the team out and win championships,” said Hall, who is nearing the end of his days as a student at Calabasas High School in California.

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Hall brings a unique resume to Fort Collins.

The three-star recruit rated by 247Sports as the top signee in CSU's 2018 class reportedly had 21 offers. Sixteen of them were from Power 5 programs, including blue bloods like USC, Nebraska, Michigan State, Florida and Wisconsin.

But he connected with Whitted and coach Mike Bobo, who sold Hall on his potential to make an impact quickly at CSU.

“I’ve always been one of those guys that wanted to go to a small school and make a name for myself and try to build the program to where it needs to be,” Hall said. “Everybody expects Colorado State to be an average team or above average team every year. I feel like we can win championships. I want to bring that vibe, that mentality there. They sold me on ‘you can be a difference maker.’ That’s what I want to be. That’s what I’ve always wanted to be.”

Some schools recruited him as a wide receiver. Some as a safety.

CSU announced his signing as a wide receiver, as his primary recruiter was Whitted.

But Hall said last week it might be more likely he plays safety. The picture will clear in summer and fall. Hall isn’t concerned, saying he views himself as a playmaker, whichever side of the ball he ends up, and won’t be shy about competing wherever he’s put.

Hall spent most of his childhood playing basketball with and against some of the best players in the country. He once played against Marvin Bagley III, a potential No. 1 overall pick from Duke in the 2018 NBA draft, in middle school.

His dad, Michael, didn’t let him start football until sixth grade, but he instantly took to the sport and Michael helped encourage him to play offense and defense.

“I pushed him to play both because he had size, always could tackle. Then because of him being a good receiver he knew how to track the ball,” Michael said. “He kind of likes safety because he’s able to track the ball and make plays. Because of playing offense, he knows what to do once he intercepts it.”

Hall attended St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, California, as a freshman and sophomore, where he played basketball and football. But coaches didn't let him play both ways in football.

He transferred to Calabasas, another Los Angeles area school, as a junior and thrived. He had 1,483 receiving yards and 15 receiving touchdowns in two seasons and notched six career interceptions.

Hall likes to spend free time quietly hanging out at home with some friends or watching highlights of his favorite players. He models his defensive game after Alabama's Minkah Fitzpatrick.

It’s surreal for Michael to know Nikko will move to Fort Collins on June 9, but he can’t wait to attend all of CSU’s home games in the fall.

“My son has given me a lot of joy watching him play,” Michael said. “Now he’s going off to college and Colorado State, I think it’s going to be a really, really good fit for him.”

Follow sports reporter Kevin Lytle at twitter.com/Kevin_Lytle and at facebook.com/KevinSLytle.