Ha Ha Clinton-Dix: Former Alabama star, first-round NFL pick signs with 49ers
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is getting another shot in the NFL according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The former Alabama star did not play on an NFL team in 2020, after getting released by the Dallas Cowboys following training camp last summer.
The Crimson Tide safety was selected as the No. 21 overall pick by the Green Bay Packers in the 2014 NFL Draft.
As a rookie with the Packers, Clinton-Dix hit the ground running.
He finished his rookie campaign with 92 tackles, six pass deflections, one interception, and one sack in 16 games. He continued to impress the Green Bay coaching staff and had his best NFL season in 2016, earning a Pro-Bowl nod following that year. Clinton-Dix started in all 16 games in 2016 and recorded 80 combined tackles (62 solo), seven pass deflections, a career-high five interceptions.
Three teams in three years
After another decent outing in 2017, Clinton-Dix was traded to Washington the following season, where he was immediately thrown into the fire as the starter. Clinton-Dix started all 16 games in D.C for the 2018 season and closed out the year with 93 combined tackles (80 solo), six pass deflections, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, and one sack.
The safety played in Chicago on a one-year deal for the 2019 campaign, where he posted decent stats, but he entered 2020 as a free agent.
Clinton-DIx signed another one-year deal with Dallas ahead of the 2020 campaign, reuniting with Mike McCarthy, who drafted him in Green Bay,
Despite the strong ties to the coaching staff and a $2.25 million guaranteed signing bonus, the safety was released by Dallas a week before the regular season began.
At just 28-years-old, Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers are hoping to re-capture the magic Clinton-Dix had early in his career, at both Alabama and in the NFL.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix shines in Tuscaloosa
Clinton-Dix was one of seven true freshmen that saw the field for the 2011 Crimson Tide team that went on to win the BCS Championship. The safety had a breakout season in 2012, leading the team with five interceptions. He made seven tackles as Alabama pummeled Notre Dame to win back-to-back national titles.
In 2013, Clinton-Dix was named to the All-American team and also received first-team All-SEC honors.
Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch are hoping the Alabama star can re-capture that magic he had both in college and most of his NFL career.