Alabama Linebacker Makes A Visit With The Chargers

An Alabama linebacker made a visit with the Bolts and it wasn’t Courtney Upshaw. It was the man in the middle and the leader of the Alabama defense, Dont’a Hightower (Alex Marvez).

There are a few people that prefer Hightower over Upshaw (me included). Here is the scouting report on Hightower from NFL Mocks:

Pros:

Good size and build…intelligent…knows his assignments well and has become a student of the game..agility has improved significantly after being more than a year removed from his knee injury…plus at shedding blocks from offensive linemen…very physical and aggressive can chase down faster quarterbacks…Scheme versatility (could play 4-3 in some NFL schemes probably better fit as a 34 LB)…plus blitzing skills…lays punishing hits…respected by his teammates for his leadership ability

Cons:

The biggest concern is probably whether or not he can cover well enough to be a three down linebacker in the  N.F.L.

Medical Concerns are shrinking but still there (bad knee injury in 2009), Hightower was apprehensive following his knee injury in 2010 and his production suffered. This year he has returned to form and exceeded,  many expectations. 2011 Butkus award finalist and possibly the most valuable linebacker in the draft. Has great size and never comes off the field on defense. The most improvement he has made thus far is his mobility; Dont’a has been able to improve his lateral movement down the line to chase down plays from the backside and cover backs and tight ends he couldn’t otherwise handle in 2010.

If we do draft this guy, you better get your police academy quotes ready! “Of all the guys who I thought were gonna make it, Hightower was the one. I mean, if all the cops looked like him there’d be no crime at all.”

I can see this happening in the first round.