Hand and his sister were raised by a single mother, who worked several jobs to support their family.
[3] In basketball, Hand was also a high-level prospect and helped lead the team to a Class 3A State runner-up finish as a senior.
[5] Prior to his senior season, Hand was named a preseason high school All-American and received heavy recruitment from major college football programs.
[6][7][8] Hand made the Alabama varsity squad as a freshman, and appeared in the team's first game of the season against Georgia Tech.
In what became coach Paul "Bear" Bryant's final season at Alabama, the team finished with an 8–4 record and defeated Illinois in the 1982 Liberty Bowl.
[10] As a sophomore in 1983, Hand stepped into the starting defensive tackle role under new head coach Ray Perkins.
But after suffering losses to Penn State and Tennessee, the Crimson Tide's national championship hopes were dashed.
Hand had his best game of the season against Mississippi State, where he forced a fumble and tipped a pass that led to an interception.
Hand and linebacker Cornelius Bennett were the lone defensive bright spots on an otherwise disappointing Crimson Tide team.
[13] Hand was named the AP Southeastern Conference (SEC) Player of the Week in Alabama's victory over Mississippi State, where he recorded 15 tackles.
Hand earned his second All-SEC First-Team selection and was named to The Sporting News 1985 College Football All-America Team.
[18] Hand was selected to play in the 1986 East-West Shrine Game, where he impressed with five tackles, one sack, three pass deflections, and a blocked field goal.
He started in all 15 games he appeared in that season, recording 82 total tackles with five sacks, one interception, and two fumble recoveries.
[20] Hand recorded his first NFL sack in week five against the San Francisco 49ers, taking down quarterback Jeff Kemp.
[20] Hand's best game of the season came in week 10 against the New York Jets where he recorded two sacks and one pass deflection that led to an interception.
His four-year rookie deal had expired, and Hand sought a higher paying contract with the team.
His five sacks were tied for the team lead with linebacker Duane Bickett and veteran defensive end Donnell Thompson.
In week three, Hand suffered a severe ankle sprain and fractured fibula against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
[45] Following the 1994 season, Hand was one of six Colts offered in the 1995 NFL expansion draft for the Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Hand missed all four of the Patriots' preseason games and was released on August 28, 1995, prior to the start of the regular season.