2023 NFL Draft Profile: Alabama Safety DeMarcco Hellams

BamaCentral is taking a long look at each of the Crimson Tide's 15 football prospects who could hear their names called during the 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City on April 27-29.

Do you know which player led Alabama football in tackles last season? 

It just so happened to be the same player who topped the team in the statistical category against Kansas State in the Sugar Bowl, and he didn't play linebacker.

It was a pretty good sendoff for safety DeMarcco Hellams, who went from being sort of the odd-man out in in the secondary, to carving out a role on the Crimson Tide's third-down defense in 2020, and then becoming a two-year starter. 

Not only did he lead the Crimson Tide in tackles with 108, but was sixth in the Southeastern Conference, and the top five were all linebackers. He also had three tackles for a loss, one sack, broke up seven passes, recorded a quarterback hurry, notched one interception and forced a fumble that he recovered. 

Fittingly, in his final game with the Crimson Tide was played in a place that's known for its celebrations, New Orleans, where Hellams led all defenders with a career-high 13 stops.

It's no wonder that some of his teammates called him "Hitman," even before he elected to come back for one final season and chance to play alongside Jordan Battle at safety, and Brian Branch in the star position over the slot. 

“It’s just a nickname someone came up with,” Hellams said. “My tenacity on the field [means] I don’t fear anyone. And I’m not afraid to hit anyone so I’ll take that nickname.”

Alabama Safety DeMarcco Hellams

NFL Combine/Workout Details

No. 2
Position: Safety
Height: 6010
Weight: 203
Hand: 0900
Arm: 3100
Wing: 7478
40: 4.57
DOB: 6/5/2000
Hometown: Washington, DC
High School: DeMatha Catholic

40-Yard Dash: 4.57 seconds
10-Yard Split: 1.57 seconds
Vertical Jump: 31’’
Broad Jump: 10’ 1’’

What's Being Said About DeMarcco Hellams

Alabama Athletics

• Lance Zierlein, NFL.com: "Boundary safety with good size and adequate anticipation but a lack of quality make-up burst when beaten over the top. Hellams can cover tight ends and is comfortable in split zone looks but needs to do a much better job of staying deeper than the deepest target. He’s fairly consistent as a tackler but doesn’t always take the most efficient routes to the ball. He’s physical and can play high or low. Hellams has a chance to become a good backup and plus special teams player."

• NFL Draft Bible: "Capable underneath zone defender when rotating down from two high. Hellams is best when tasked with easier responsibilities such as covering tight ends and slot receivers. He comes downhill to contribute on screens. Want to is apparent in run support. Aims for the hips and hangs on to eventually get ball carriers down. Hellams is a fluid mover in space with solid straight line speed. He stands out on special teams.

"Slow processor in deep zones who often takes too long to trigger. Hellams often finds himself with his eyes glued on the passer, covering nobody in the middle of the field. He fails to locate routes behind him and does not gain enough depth after play fakes. Not trusting his eyes causes him a day late and a dollar short on many occasions, preventing him from making plays on the ball. Hellams is susceptible to taking angles that are too wide coming downhill. He is not physical enough to stop the momentum of ball carriers.

"Compact safety who stands out on special teams. Hellams is a solid athlete in space. As a safety, he is very inexperienced, not trusting his eyes and failing to make plays. He projects as a special teams contributor who could find himself in a nickel role on an NFL roster. To have an impact on a defensive unit, he has to improve his processing." 

BamaCentral Analysis

Alabama Athletics

Hellams is a good athlete who comes from two good programs as he was a two-star athlete at DeMatha Catholic, where he had 78 catches for over a thousand yards and 21 touchdowns as a senior in high school. What we think will get him on an NFL roster is his ability to make an impact on special teams, in hopes of he can get better against the deep ball.

Projection: Sixth round

Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports

This is the seventh story in an annual series profiling Alabama football players available in the upcoming NFL draft.

Linebacker Will Anderson Jr.

Safety Jordan Battle

Safety Brian Branch

Defensive tackle DJ Dale

Guard Emil Ekiyor Jr.

Running Back Jahmyr Gibbs

Bama in the NFL Database

All-Time Alabama Crimson Tide Players in the NFL
Former Alabama Crimson Tide Players Selected in the NFL Draft