Alex Highsmith

Alex Highsmith (born August 7, 1997) is an American professional football linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Charlotte.

Early life

Highsmith grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina and attended Eugene Ashley High School, where he played baseball, basketball and football. He played middle linebacker and fullback and was named second-team All-Area and first-team All-Mideastern Conference as a senior. He was also named All-Area in baseball. Highsmith was lightly recruited by college programs and only received interest from Davidson and Furman before being offered a spot on UNC Charlotte's team as a walk on.

College career

Highsmith joined the Charlotte 49ers as a walk-on and redshirted his true freshman season. As a redshirt freshman, he played in all 12 of the 49ers games and finished the season with 17 tackles and a sack. Highsmith was a key member of Charlotte's defensive line rotation during his redshirt sophomore season and finished the year with 33 tackles with 5.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks and one fumble recovery. He was named a starter at defensive end as a redshirt junior and was named first-team All-Conference USA after setting a school record with 17.5 tackles for loss along with 60 total tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles. He was again named first-team All-Conference USA and was also a third-team All-American selection by the Associated Press as a senior after setting new school records with 14 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss.

Professional career

Highsmith was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round, 102nd overall, of the 2020 NFL draft.

In week 8 against the Baltimore Ravens, Highsmith recorded his first career interception off a pass thrown by Lamar Jackson during the 28–24 win. In week 9 against the Dallas Cowboys, Highsmith recorded his first career sack on Garrett Gilbert during the 24–19 win. In week 13 against the Washington Football Team, Highsmith made his starting debut. In it, he recorded five tackles in the Steelers first loss of the season. Highsmith finished the remaining four games as the Steelers' starter, recording 23 more tackles as well as one sack that he recorded during their season finale against the Cleveland Browns.

In week 17, against the Browns, Highsmith had two sacks in the 26–14 victory. In the 2021 season, he had six sacks, 74 total tackles (46 solo), and one forced fumble in 16 games and starts.

In the regular season opener, Highsmith had three sacks and a forced fumble in the 23–20 overtime victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. In week 10, Highsmith had five tackles, two sacks, a tackle for loss and a forced fumble in a 20–10 win over the New Orleans Saints, earning American Football Conference (AFC) Defensive Player of the Week. He closed out the 2022 regular season with 2.5 sacks in a 28–14 win over the Browns.

He finished the 2022 season with 63 tackles, a team high 14.5 sacks, and league-leading five forced fumbles.

On July 19, 2023, Highsmith signed a four-year, $68 million contract extension with the Steelers. The contract includes $27.74 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $16 million. During week 2 of the 2023 season against the Browns, Highsmith intercepted the first pass from Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson and returned it 30 yards for his first NFL touchdown. He also recorded seven tackles and a forced fumble on Watson, which was recovered by Steelers teammate T. J. Watt for what eventually became the game-winning touchdown as the Steelers held on to win, 26–22. For his performance, Highsmith was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week.

NFL career statistics

Personal life

Highsmith is a Christian. Highsmith is married to Alyssa Ungrady.