Alex Highsmith, Charlotte Football News: Draft Scout Player News

05/07/20 - DE Alex Highsmith, rSr/2020, Charlotte

You could hear it in Will Healy's voice. It was something the Charlotte 49ers head football coach couldn't hide and didn't want to hide. It's because when talking about Alex Highsmith, Healy just can't help but let it be known how proud he is of the newest Steelers linebacker. "I am ridiculously proud," said Healy. "He's a guy I have grown really close to over the last year. I was fortunate enough to inherit him and coach him. It couldn't happen to a better person. "The amazing part about Alex is not just the way he is on the field, but his leadership and how he handled his business and mentorship is so vital for our program well after he is there. He is a tremendous person. He has it figured out. He is very mature about how he handles himself. He is such a good teammate and person. His work ethic is second to none.

"To see him enjoy this type of success is really good for the guys who are in our program to see what a professional player looks like. It's really gratifying for me as a coach to see a guy who buys into it as much as he does, and I am so happy he was rewarded this way." Highsmith has come a long way since he first went to Charlotte, showing up as a walk-on and not even participating in freshman camp because he wasn't on the roster. To go from that to a third-round draft pick at a smaller school is a huge jump. "There is some God-given ability he has so the first thing for him was someone to give him a chance," said Healy. "He bought into the process of what it's going to take from where he was to where he has to go. He caught the hunger and fire of what it takes to be special and do it week in and week out. It's a process, but when you do things right like he does, and do it consistently, you are bound to have results. That, with the God-given ability, is why he turned out to be so special." - Charlotte Observer

rSr/2020