LB Alex Highsmith selected in third round by Pittsburgh Steelers

Photo by Ted Gangi (CollegePressBox.com)

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA (April 24, 2020) Charlotte linebacker Alex Highsmith was selected as the Pittsburgh Steelers second pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. The 2020 NFL Combine participant was named to the All-Combine Team as an edge rusher, was the 102nd overall pick late Friday evening.

During his senior year, he was named a 3rd team Associated Press All-American in addition to being named to the elite squad by Pro Football Focus. He was the first 49er to earn All-America honors and was selected to the All Conference USA team twice, the first Charlotte player do achieve the honor.

He tallied 14 sacks during his senior year, which ranked him fourth nationally. Also, he was a Burlsworth Trophy semifinalist and holds the school record for sacks in a game (4.5), sacks in a season (14), and sacks in a career (20).

He joined TCU defensive tackle Ross Blacklock as the newest Steeler. Blacklock was selected number 40 by Pittsburgh earlier in the eventing.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney discussed Hightower prior to their September 21, 2019 contest against Charlotte:

“He’s on all the ‘great player’ lists. I kept watching him and going, ‘Holy cow.’ He looks like Xavier Thomas. He’s physical, fast, disruptive. He’s causing sacks and tips. Really, really good football player. That No. 5 could play for anybody in the country.”