DeMarcco Hellams’ nickname is ‘Hitman’ and now we know the reason why.

Alabama safety Jordan Battle, who is among the players who garner a bit more attention than Hellams does within a consistently deep Alabama team, elaborated upon the meaning of the nickname and offered some praise for his fellow member of the Crimson Tide.

And the explanation really isn’t anything elaborate.

“I think he came up with it, to be honest,” Battle said in a report from AL.com in which he was asked about the nickname. “His play speaks for the name. He’s a good hitter. When he breaks on the ball, I think receivers are a little timid to catch it.”

The 6-1, 208-pounder posted 87 total tackles last season with 3 passes defended and 3 interceptions. It will be interesting to see how he progresses within what seems to be a talented group year in and year out with the nation’s most dominant program over recent history.