Dont'a Hightower

At 34 years old, Dont'a Hightower has this physical status:

Qualin Dont'a Hightower (born March 12, 1990) is an American football inside linebacker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL).

He played college football for the University of Alabama, was recognized as an All-American, and was a member of two BCS National Championship teams and was selected by the Patriots in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Hightower, who is noted for his versatility, can play both middle and outside linebacker.

He won Super Bowl XLIX, Super Bowl LI, and Super Bowl LIII with the Patriots.

Early years

Hightower was born in Lewisburg, Tennessee. He attended Marshall County High School in Lewisburg, where he played for the Marshall County Tigers high school football team. He first drew recognition his sophomore year when the team's starting running back quit the team. In the last four games of the season, he rushed for over 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns. After growing to 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) prior to his junior year, Hightower was moved to linebacker and tight end. He collected 98 tackles, two sacks, and seven forced fumbles as a linebacker and caught 18 passes for 253 yards and four touchdowns at tight end.

Having grown to six feet, three inches tall as a senior, Hightower again switched positions to defensive end. After recording 168 tackles (14 for loss), five forced fumbles, five interceptions and four fumble recoveries, he was named 3A Mr. Football Lineman of the Year and The Tennesseans Defensive Most Valuable Player in 2007. He also added 875 yards and 19 touchdowns on offense.

Hightower was selected to play in the U.S. Army East West All-Star Game in San Antonio, Texas.

Considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Hightower was listed as the No. 15 inside linebacker in the nation in 2008. He chose Alabama over Auburn, Georgia Tech, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt.

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College career

Hightower attended the University of Alabama, where he played for the Crimson Tide football team from 2008 to 2011.

Hightower started 12 games at least one true freshman for the Crimson Tide in 2008, following Robbie as one of the two top players ("Will") in the Alabama's 3–4 defense, next to Rolando McClain who occupied the other side of the linebacker position ("Mike") in the other half. Hightower had 64 tackles (4th on the team) and 2.5 tackles for loss, as well as one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. In seven of 14 games, including 10 against Tulane and a career-high 11 at LSU, he had at least one tackle in each game and had five or more stops, including ten against Tulane and a career-high 11 at LSU. He was then selected to numerous Freshman All-American teams.

During the 2009 season, Hightower sustained a knee injury in the first quarter when he was cut off by an Arkansas lineman. He was diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament injury in his left knee and missed the remainder of the season after surgery. Nico Johnson, a true freshman, was recalled as a back-up for the weak side of the linebacker. Hightower had 16 tackles, with four of them being intercepted for loss. Despite playing only four games, he was given a medical redshirt, making him a redshirt sophomore in 2010.

Hightower was supposed to "be the nucleus of a young defense" when returning from the 2010 season. In 2011, McClain was named Alabama's middle linebacker, and he captained a defense that ranked No. 1 in 2011. In all five main categories, scoring defense (8.8 ppg), total defense (191.3 ypg), rush defense (74.9 ypg), pass defense (83.9 ypg), and pass defense (116.3 ypg) are all ranked 1 nationally; scoring offense (88.1 ypg) and pass defense (110.1 ypg). Hightower led the team to a career-best 81 tackles, including 37 solo stops, as well as three sacks (16 yards) and 9.5 tackles for loss (35 yards). He also had eight quarterback hurries, one intercept, one blocked field goal, and three pass breakups.

The Associated Press, AFCA, Walter Camp, as well as Rivals.com and Pro Football Weekly announced that Hightower was a consensus first-team All-American by the Associated Press, AFCA and Walter Camp, as well as Rivals.com and Pro Football Weekly. He was also a finalist for the Lombardi Award, Chuck Bednarik Award, Butkus Award, and the Lott Trophy.

Professional career

Hightower was projected as a first-round draft pick in the 2012 NFL Draft as early as April 2011. He revealed his decision to forego his final year of eligibility shortly after the 2012 BCS National Championship Game. He was expected to be a late first-round pick right after the season ended. After solid results at the NFL Combine and Alabama Pro Day, he was still considered a late first-rounder.

In the first round (25th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots selected Hightower. He was the third linebacker selected in 2012, behind Boston College's Luke Kuechly (9th overall) and South Carolina's Melvin Ingram (18th overall).

The New England Patriots signed Hightower to a four-year, $7.72 million deal with a minimum of $6.28 million and a signing bonus of $4.05 million.

He trained for the job as the starting strongside linebacker against Rob Ninkovich during training camp. Bill Belichick, the head coach, as well as Jerod Mayo and middle linebacker Brandon Spikes, has named him the opening day starter.

In the New England Patriots' season-opener against the Tennessee Titans, he made his first career start and professional regular season debut, five combined tackles, and the Patriots' season-opener at the Tennessee Titans, where they won by six yards on a six-yard victory. His touchdown in the second quarter was the first of his career. Before losing in the first half of the Buffalo Bills due to a hamstring injury, he made two solo tackles and made his first sacking of quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. He was sidelined for the next two games (Weeks 5–6) because of his injuries. As the Patriots defeated the New York Jets 29-26 in overtime, Hightower had a season-high seven solo tackles and fired Mark Sanchez. During their 41–34 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on December 16, 2012, Hightower made a season-high eight combined tackles and lost a pass. He had 60 combined tackles (43 solo), four sacks, three pass deflections, two fumble recoveries, and two touchdowns in 14 games and 13 starts in 2012.

With a 12–4 record, clinching home field advantage, and a first-round bye, the New England Patriots ended the 2012 season atop the AFC East. In the AFC Divisional round, Hightower scored three combined tackles in the Patriots' 41-28 victory over the Houston Texans on January 13, 2013. As the Patriots lost 28-13 to the Baltimore Ravens, the eventual Super Bowl champions, in the AFC Championship game, he made three combined tackles the following week.

Matt Patricia, the offensive coordinator, retained Hightower, Mayo, and Spikes as the starting linebackers for the 2013 season.

During a 30–27 loss at the New York Jets on October 20, 2013, Hightwer had 11 combined tackles (seven solo) on October 20, 2013. In the Patriots' 27-17 victory over the Miami Dolphins, he recorded ten combined tackles (five solo) and fired quarterback Ryan Tannehill. In a 27–26 victory over the Cleveland Browns, he tied his season-high of 11 combined tackles (seven solo) for his season-best of 11 combined tackles (seven solo). He had 97 combined tackles (55 solo), three pass deflections, and a sack in 16 games and 14 starts in 2013.

With a 12–4 record, the New England Patriots captured their second AFC East championship and was voted in first round bye. During a 43-23 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Divisional round on January 11, 2014, Hightower recorded eight combined tackles, broke up a pass, and intercepted a pass by Andrew Luck. In the AFC Championship game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, he made eight combined tackles as the Patriots lost 26-16 to the Denver Broncos.

During training camp, Hightower was switched to a weakside linebacker, replacing Jerod Mayo, who had been named the starting middle linebacker after Brandon Spikes' departure. Bill Belichick named Hightower and Jamie Collins Sr. as the starting outside linebackers for the regular season, with Jerod Mayo starting at middle linebacker.

During the Patriots' 30–7 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on September 14, 2014, the Hightowers had eight combined tackles, broke up a pass, and had two sacks on Matt Cassel. It was his first multi-sack game in his career. Due to a knee injury, the hightower missed two games in a row (Weeks 5–6). In the Patriots' 27-25 victory over the New York Jets, he had a season-high 13 combined tackles (nine solo) and a sack. During a 26-21 loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 13, Hightower recorded ten combined tackles (four solo) and a sack on Aaron Rodgers. Due to a shoulder injury he sustained against the Packers, he missed the following game (Week 14). Since aggravated his shoulder injury, the Patriots' Week 17 loss against the Buffalo Bills was also missed. Hightower finished the 2014 season with 89 combined tackles (51 solo), six sacks, two pass deflections, and a forced fumble in 12 games and 12 starts.

The New England Patriots finished atop the AFC East with a 12–4 record, clinched home field advantage, and a first-round bye. In the AFC Divisional round and the Indianapolis Colts, they defeated the Baltimore Ravens and the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship game and advanced to Super Bowl XLIX. During the Patriots' 28-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks, Hightower got off to a brisk start in Super Bowl XLIX on February 1, 2015, total tackles. He made a key play in the fourth quarter by attacking Marshawn Lynch at the one-yard line to prevent a touchdown from being called back by the Seahawks. After teammate Malcolm Butler intercepted a pass by Russell Wilson, the Patriots won the next play. Hightower made sure he got out of the end zone to avoid a safety because Butler caught the ball inside the one yard line.

The New England Patriots exercised the fifth-year, $7.751 million contract on Hightower's rookie deal on April 30, 2015.

During a 42–32 victory at the Buffalo Bills, Hightower had a season-high 12 combined tackles (eight solo) and was credited with half a sack. Hightower had three combined tackles on November 29, 2015, but the Patriots lost by 30–24 at the Denver Broncos after suffering a sprained MCL in his left knee. Due to his MCL injury, he did not play in the next two games (Weeks 13–14). Due to a sprained MCL injury he aggravated the previous week, Hightower was inactive for the Patriots' Week 17 loss to the Miami Dolphins. He ended the season with 61 combined tackles (51 solo), 3.5 sacks, two passes protected, and a fumble bounce back in 12 games and 12 starts.

The Patriots clinched another AFC East title with a 12-4 record and a rematch with the Broncos in the AFC Championship game, but the eventual Super Bowl champions lost by a score of 20–18.

After Jerod Mayo's departure, the starting middle linebacker for Hightower's training camp began. Hightower's starting middle linebacker will be named by head coach Bill Belichick, as well as outside linebackers Jamie Collins and Jonathan Freeny. Hightower was selected to be one of four team captains to represent the Patriots for the season by the New England Patriots.

He started the New England Patriots' season-opener at the Arizona Cardinals, but he was unable to participate in the second quarter of their 23-21 victory due to an MCL injury. On the next day, it was revealed that Hightower had suffered a slight tear to his meniscus and was suspended for the next two games (Weeks 2–3). Hightwer posted 13 combined tackles (ten solo), 1.5 sacks, and his first defensive appearance on a sack of Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton during their 35-17 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on October 16, 2016. For his Week 6 appearance against the Bengals, he was named as the AFC Defensive Player of the Week. Hightower was named to the 2017 Pro Bowl for the first time in his career, with 65 combined tackles (31 solo), 2.5 sacks, two passes defense, and a safety in 13 games and 13 starts. Hightower received enough votes from his peers to place 94th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2017.

With a 14-2 record, the New England Patriots finished atop the AFC East and clinched a first round bye and a playoff berth. In the AFC Championship match, the Houston Texans and the Pittsburgh Steelers were defeated in the Divisional round and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Hightower appeared in Super Bowl LI on February 5, 2017, assisting the Patriots in overcoming a 25-point deficit and defeating the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime. Hightower had two tackles, one sack, and prompted a fumble.

The New England Patriots signed Hightower to a four-year, $35.5 million deal with a $17 million guarantee and a $10 million signing bonus on March 15, 2017. Hightower was later confirmed with the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets, but he did not make it to the Jets because of a small tear in his pectoral muscle.

Bill Belichick, along with outside linebackers David Harris and Kyle Van Noy, named him as the starting middle linebacker. Since the Patriots cut Jamie Collins and Jonathan Freeny, the Patriots were the only returning starter since the Patriots traded him in free agency.

He started the New England Patriots' season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs, but they lost by 42–27 in the second quarter after suffering a knee injury. Unfortunately, Hightower was sidelined for the next two games due to the knee injury (Weeks 2–3). When the Patriots defeated the New York Jets 24–17, Hightower posted a season-high seven combined tackles and a sack on October 15, 2017. In Week 7, he made one single tackle in the Patriots' 23–7 victory over the Atlanta Falcons before having to leave in the third quarter due to a shoulder injury. The following day, it was revealed that it was a torn pectoral muscle torn pectoral muscle and that it would likely sideline Hightower for the remainder of the season. The New England Patriots activated Hightower on Saturday, putting him on injured reserve for the remainder of the season. In five games and five starts, Hightower finished the 2017 season with 14 total tackles (12 solo) and two sacks in five games and five starts.

The Patriots cut Hightower with Elandon Roberts and ended the season undefeated in the AFC East standings at 13–3. In the AFC Championship round and the Jacksonville Jaguars, they defeated the Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars before losing 41–33 to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII.

In 2018, the Hightower, Kyle Van Noy, and rookie Ja'Whaun Bentley made their return as a starter. In Week 7, he blocked a punt that was recovered by Van Noy and returned for a touchdown, earning him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week. The Patriots lost the AFC East after 11–5, once again clinching the AFC East. The Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13-3 during Super Bowl LIII, a pass deflection.

In Week 5 against the Washington Redskins, Hightower sacked Colt McCoy 1.5 times and shocked him twice. Hightwer recovered a fumble loss by running back Nick Chubb and returned it for a touchdown in Week 8. This was his first touchdown since Week 1 of the 2012 season.

Hightower revealed on August 2, 2020, that he would postpone the 2020 season due to rumors concerning the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2021, Hightower returned to the Patriots and finished with 1.5 sacks on the year. His deal came to an end on March 16, 2022.

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