KNOXVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 03: Charlotte 49ers defensive end Alex Highsmith (5) celebrating after a big play during a college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Charlotte 49ers on November 3, 2018, at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, TN. (Photo by Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Alex Highsmith, Edge, Charlotte
Alex Highsmith is one of the best small school prospects in the entire 2020 draft and certainly an under the radar draft prospect. Highsmith doesn’t have an imposing size and he isn’t going to give you much against the run, yet he can provide a ferocious pass-rush. He can explode off the snap, is quick and is relentless in pursuit. Also, he has everything you want from a game-changing pass-rusher, as he can dip, bend and finish. In 2019, he has accounted for 10.5 sacks and 16.5 tackles for a loss. He offers tremendous position versatility, as he can play in a 4-3 defense with his hand in the dirt or he can play as a stand-up linebacker in a 3-4 defense.
The clip below will showcase Highsmith’s ability to burst off the snap to get a sack. The right tackle didn’t stand a chance.
Don’t let the small-school fool you. Alex Highsmith is the real deal. pic.twitter.com/i3NcJwl4FS
— Maliik 🏁🇳🇬 (@Obee1ne) October 30, 2019
Highsmith is relentless. In the video below, you will see him fight through a double team to lock up a sack. This was against the University of Tennessee and while they are not the cream of the crop in the SEC, it shows that Highsmith is capable of playing with the “big boys”.
This guy’s name is Alex Highsmith. TN couldn’t block him with 2 on this play. pic.twitter.com/d38kB8ovIm
— Chad Reuter (@chad_reuter) August 3, 2019
Alex Highsmith will likely be a top-120 draft selection when the dust settles. While he has not been announced yet, I’d love to see him at the Reese’s Senior Bowl, to see how he competes with the best of the best.
Neal Driscoll is a writer for PFN covering the NFL Draft. You can follow him @NealDriscoll on Twitter.