 Hightower with theNew England Patriots in 2014 | |||||||||||||||||
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| Position | Linebacker | ||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||
| Born | (1990-03-12)March 12, 1990 (age 35) Lewisburg, Tennessee, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 260 lb (118 kg) | ||||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||||
| High school | Marshall County(Lewisburg, Tennessee) | ||||||||||||||||
| College | Alabama (2008–2011) | ||||||||||||||||
| NFL draft | 2012: 1st round, 25th overall pick | ||||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||||
Playing | |||||||||||||||||
Coaching | |||||||||||||||||
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| Awards and highlights | |||||||||||||||||
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Qualin Dont'a Hightower[1] (born March 12, 1990) is an Americanfootball coach and formerlinebacker who played in theNational Football League (NFL) for nine seasons with theNew England Patriots. Hightower playedcollege football for theAlabama Crimson Tide, receiving consensusAll-American honors and winning twoBCS National Championships. Selected by New England in the first round of the2012 NFL draft, he was named to twoPro Bowls and won threeSuper Bowl titles. After retiring, he served as theinside linebackers coach for the Patriots in 2024.
Hightower was born inLewisburg, Tennessee. He attendedMarshall County High School in Lewisburg, where he played for the Marshall County Tigershigh school football team.[2] 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.[3] After growing to 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) prior to his junior year, Hightower was moved to linebacker andtight 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.[3]
Having grown to six feet, three inches tall as a senior, Hightower again switched positions todefensive 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 andThe 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 inSan Antonio, Texas.
Considered a four-star recruit byRivals.com,[4] Hightower was listed as the No. 15 inside linebacker in the nation in 2008.[5] He chose Alabama overAuburn,Georgia Tech,Tennessee, andVanderbilt.
"Dont'a [Hightower] can play any position on the field. He's a freak to me."
Hightower attended theUniversity of Alabama, where he played for theCrimson Tide football team from 2008 to 2011.[7]
As one of only twotrue freshmen to be regular starter for the Crimson Tide in2008, Hightower started 12 games while playing in all 14 at weakside inside linebacker ("Will") in Alabama's3–4 defense, next toRolando McClain who occupied the other inside linebacker spot ("Mike"). Hightower recorded 64 tackles (4th on the team) and 2.5 tackles for loss, while also having one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. He had at least one tackle in each game and had five or more stops in seven of 14 games, including 10 againstTulane and a career-high 11 atLSU.[8][9][10] He was subsequently named to numerous Freshman All-American teams.[11][12][13]
For the2009 season, during theArkansas game, Hightower suffered a knee injury in the first quarter when he wascut blocked by an Arkansas lineman. He was diagnosed a tornanterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and missed the rest of the season with surgery.[14]True freshmanNico Johnson replaced him at weak side linebacker. Hightower recorded 16 tackles including four tackles for loss.[15] Having played only four games, he was granted a medicalredshirt making him a redshirt sophomore in 2010.
Returning for the2010 season, Hightower was expected to "be the nucleus of a young defense".[16] He replaced McClain as Alabama's middle linebacker.[17]
In2011, he captained a defense that ranked No. 1 nationally in all five major categories—scoring defense (8.8 ppg), total defense (191.3 ypg), rushing defense (74.9 ypg), pass efficiency defense (83.9 ypg) and pass defense (116.3 ypg). Hightower led the team with 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 registered eight quarterback hurries, one interception, one blocked field goal and three pass breakups.
Hightower was a consensus first-team All-American by theAssociated Press,AFCA andWalter Camp as well asRivals.com andPro Football Weekly.[18] He was also a finalist for theLombardi Award,Chuck Bednarik Award, theButkus Award, and theLott Trophy.
| Season | Games | Tackles | Sacks | Interceptions | Fumbles | Kick Blk | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | TfL | Yds | Sck | Yds | QBH | Int | Yds | BU | PD | FF | FR | Yds | ||
| 2008 | 14 | 12 | 64 | 26 | 38 | 2.5 | 6 | 0.0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 0 |
| 2009 | 4 | 4 | 16 | 5 | 11 | 4.0 | 7 | 1.0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | 14 | 14 | 70 | 30 | 40 | 3.5 | 8 | 0.0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | 13 | 13 | 85 | 40 | 45 | 11.0 | 46 | 4.0 | 26 | 8 | 1 | 29 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 55 | 53 | 235 | 101 | 134 | 21.0 | 67 | 5.0 | 30 | 25 | 2 | 31 | 7 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 1 |
As early as April 2011, Hightower was projected a potential first-round draft pick in the2012 NFL draft.[19][20] Shortly after the2012 BCS National Championship Game, he announced his decision to forgo his final year of eligibility.[21] Right after the season ended, he was projected a late first-round selection.[22][23] After solid performances at theNFL Combine and Alabama Pro Day, he was still regarded as a late first-rounder.[24]
| External videos | |
|---|---|
 Dont'a Hightower's NFL Combine workout |
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft2+1⁄4 in (1.89 m) | 265 lb (120 kg) | 32+5⁄8 in (0.83 m) | 9+3⁄4 in (0.25 m) | 4.68 s | 1.66 s | 2.74 s | 4.64 s | 7.55 s | 32 in (0.81 m) | 9 ft 9 in (2.97 m) | ||
| All values fromNFL Combine/Alabama'sPro Day[25][26] | ||||||||||||
TheNew England Patriots selected Hightower in the first round (25th overall) of the2012 NFL draft.[27] He was the third linebacker selected in 2012, behindBoston College'sLuke Kuechly (9th overall) andSouth Carolina'sMelvin Ingram (18th overall).[28]
| External videos | |
|---|---|
| Patriots select Dont'a Hightower |
On July 19, 2012, the Patriots signed Hightower to a four-year, $7.72 million contract that includes $6.28 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $4.05 million.[29][30]
Throughout training camp, he competed for the job as the starting strongside linebacker againstRob Ninkovich.[31] Head coachBill Belichick named him the opening day starter, alongsideJerod Mayo and middle linebackerBrandon Spikes.[32]
He made his first career start and professional regular season debut in theNew England Patriots' season-opener at theTennessee Titans and recorded five combined tackles and returned a fumble recovery for a six-yard touchdown during their 34–13 victory. His touchdown in the second quarter marked the first of his career.[33] On September 30, 2012, he recorded two solo tackles and made his first career sack on quarterbackRyan Fitzpatrick, before leaving in the first half of their 52–28 victory at theBuffalo Bills due to ahamstring injury.[34] The injury sidelined him for the next two games (Weeks 5–6).[35] In Week 7, Hightower collected a season-high seven solo tackles and sackedMark Sanchez as the Patriots defeated theNew York Jets 29–26 in overtime.[36] On December 16, 2012, Hightower made a season-high eight combined tackles and broke up a pass during their 41–34 loss to theSan Francisco 49ers.[37] He finished the2012 season with 60 combined tackles (43 solo), four sacks, three pass deflections, two fumble recoveries, and a touchdown in 14 games and 13 starts.[38]
The New England Patriots finished the 2012 season atop theAFC East with a 12–4 record, clinching home field advantage and a first round bye.[39] On January 13, 2013, Hightower started his first career playoff game and recorded three combined tackles in the Patriots' 41–28 victory against theHouston Texans in theDivisional Round.[40] The following week, he made three combined tackles as the Patriots lost 28–13 to the eventualSuper Bowl champions, theBaltimore Ravens, in theAFC Championship.[41]
Defensive coordinatorMatt Patricia retained Hightower, Mayo, and Spikes as the starting linebackers to begin the 2013 regular season.[42]
On October 20, 2013, Hightower recorded 11 combined tackles (seven solo) during a 30–27 loss at theNew York Jets.[43] The following week, he collected ten combined tackles (five solo) and sacked quarterbackRyan Tannehill in the Patriots' 27–17 win against theMiami Dolphins.[44] In Week 14, he tied his season-high of 11 combined tackles (seven solo) in a 27–26 win against theCleveland Browns.[45] He finished the2013 season with 97 combined tackles (55 solo), three pass deflections, and a sack in 16 games and 14 starts.[46]
The New England Patriots clinched another AFC East title with a 12–4 record and received a first round bye.[47] On January 11, 2014, Hightower collected eight combined tackles, broke up a pass, and intercepted a pass byAndrew Luck during a 43–22 win against theIndianapolis Colts in theDivisional Round.[48] The following week, he made eight combined tackles as the Patriots lost 26–16 to theDenver Broncos in theAFC Championship game.[49]
During training camp, Hightower was moved to weakside linebacker, replacing Jerod Mayo who was named the starting middle linebacker after the departure of Brandon Spikes. Head coach Bill Belichick named Hightower andJamie Collins Sr. the starting outside linebackers to start the regular season with Jerod Mayo starting at middle linebacker.[50]
On September 14, 2014, Hightower recorded eight combined tackles, broke up a pass, and had two sacks onMatt Cassel during the Patriots' 30–7 victory at theMinnesota Vikings.[51] It marked his first career multi-sack game. Hightower missed two consecutive games (Weeks 5–6) due to a knee.[52] In Week 7, he recorded a season-high 13 combined tackles (nine solo) and a sack in the Patriots' 27–25 win against theNew York Jets. In Week 13, Hightower recorded ten combined tackles (four solo) and a sack onAaron Rodgers during a 26–21 loss at theGreen Bay Packers. He missed the following game (Week 14) due to a shoulder injury he sustained against the Packers.[53] Hightower also missed the Patriots' Week 17 loss against theBuffalo Bills after aggravating his shoulder injury.[54] Hightower finished the2014 season with 89 combined tackles (51 solo), six sacks, two pass deflections, and a forced fumble in 12 games and 12 starts.[55]
The New England Patriots finished atop the AFC East with a 12–4 record and clinched home field advantage and a first round bye.[56] They defeated theBaltimore Ravens in theAFC Divisional Round and theIndianapolis Colts in theAFC Championship and went on toSuper Bowl XLIX.[57][58] On February 1, 2015, Hightower started in Super Bowl XLIX and recorded five combined tackles during the Patriots' 28–24 victory against theSeattle Seahawks. He made a key play near the end of the fourth quarter, tacklingMarshawn Lynch at the one-yard line to prevent a touchdown that would have given the Seahawks the lead, and likely the title. The Patriots secured their victory on the next play after teammateMalcolm Butler intercepted a pass byRussell Wilson. Because Butler caught the ball inside the one yard line, Hightower ensured he got out of the end zone to prevent asafety.[59][60]
On April 30, 2015, the New England Patriots exercised the fifth-year, $7.751 million option on Hightower's rookie contract.[61]
In Week 2, Hightower recorded a season-high 12 combined tackles (eight solo) and was credited with half a sack during a 40–32 win at theBuffalo Bills.[62] On November 29, 2015, Hightower collected three combined tackles, but left the Patriots' 30–24 loss at theDenver Broncos after suffering a sprained MCL in his left knee. He went on to miss the next two games (Weeks 13–14) due to the injury to his MCL.[63] Hightower was inactive for the Patriots' Week 17 loss at theMiami Dolphins due to a sprained MCL injury he aggravated the previous week.[64] He finished the season with 61 combined tackles (51 solo), 3.5 sacks, two passes defended, and a fumble recovery in 12 games and 12 starts.[65]
The Patriots clinched another AFC East title with a 12–4 record and had a rematch with the Broncos in theAFC Championship, but lost to the eventualSuper Bowl champions by a score of 20–18.[66][67]
Hightower entered training camp as the starting middle linebacker after Jerod Mayo announced his retirement. Head coach Bill Belichick officially named Hightower the starting middle linebacker to start the regular season, alongside outside linebackers Jamie Collins andJonathan Freeny.[68] The New England Patriots announced Hightower was selected to be one of four team captains to represent the Patriots for the season.[69]
He started theNew England Patriots' season-opener at theArizona Cardinals, but left in the second quarter of their 23–21 victory with an MCL injury. The following day, it was reported that Hightower had suffered a slight tear to his meniscus and was sidelined for the next two games (Weeks 2–3).[70]On October 16, 2016, Hightower registered 13 combined tackles (ten solo), 1.5 sacks, and recorded his first career safety on a sack on Bengals' quarterbackAndy Dalton during their 35–17 victory against theCincinnati Bengals. He was voted as the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his Week 6 performance against the Bengals.[71][72] On December 20, 2016, it was announced that Hightower was named to the2017 Pro Bowl, marking the first of his career[73][74] Hightower finished the2016 season with 65 combined tackles (31 solo), 2.5 sacks, two passes defensed, and a safety in 13 games and 13 starts.[75] Hightower received enough votes from his peers to finish 94th on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2017.[76]
The New England Patriots finished atop the AFC East and clinched a first round bye and a playoff berth with a 14–2 record.[77] They went on to defeat theHouston Texans in theDivisional Round and thePittsburgh Steelers in theAFC Championship.[78][79] On February 5, 2017, Hightower appeared inSuper Bowl LI and helped the Patriots overcome a 25-point deficit and defeat theAtlanta Falcons 34–28 in overtime. Hightower recorded two solo tackles, one sack, and forced a fumble deep in Atlanta territory which was recovered by the Patriots to help make it a one-possession game.[80][81]
On March 15, 2017, the New England Patriots signed Hightower to a four-year, $35.5 million contract that includes $17 million guaranteed and a $10 million signing bonus.[29][82][83] It was later reported that Hightower met with thePittsburgh Steelers andNew York Jets, but failed a physical with the Jets due to a slight tear in his pectoral muscle.[84]
Head coach Bill Belichick named him the starting middle linebacker, along with outside linebackersDavid Harris andKyle Van Noy.[85] Hightower was the only returning starter after the Patriots tradedJamie Collins and Jonathan Freeny departed in free agency.
He started theNew England Patriots' season-opener against theKansas City Chiefs, but left their 42–27 loss in the second quarter after sustaining a knee injury.[86] The knee injury unfortunately sidelined Hightower for the next two games (Weeks 2–3). On October 15, 2017, Hightower recorded a season-high seven combined tackles and a sack as the Patriots defeated theNew York Jets 24–17.[87] In Week 7, he made one solo tackle in the Patriots' 23–7 win against theAtlanta Falcons before leaving in the third quarter with a shoulder injury. The following day, it was announced that it was discovered to be a tornpectoral muscle and would likely sideline Hightower for the remainder of the season.[88] On November 7, 2017, the New England Patriots placed Hightower on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.[89] Hightower finished the2017 season with 14 combined tackles (12 solo) and two sacks in five games and five starts.[90]
The Patriots replaced Hightower withElandon Roberts and managed to finish the season atop the AFC East with a 13–3 record.[91] They went on to defeat theTennessee Titans in theAFC Divisional Round and theJacksonville Jaguars in theAFC Championship game before losing 41–33 to thePhiladelphia Eagles inSuper Bowl LII.[92][93][94]
Hightower returned as a starter in 2018, alongsideKyle Van Noy and rookieJa'Whaun Bentley. 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.[95] He finished the 2018 season with one sack, 48 total tackles, one interception, one pass defensed, and one fumble recovery in 15 starts.[96] The Patriots finished the season 11–5, again clinching the AFC East.[97] DuringSuper Bowl LIII against theLos Angeles Rams, Hightower finished with two sacks and a pass deflection as the Patriots won 13–3.[98]
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In Week 5 against theWashington Redskins, Hightower recorded a team-high eight tackles and sackedColt McCoy 1.5 times in the 33–7 win.[99] In Week 8 against theCleveland Browns, Hightower recovered a fumble lost by running backNick Chubb and returned it for a touchdown in the 27–13 win. This was his first touchdown since Week 1 of the2012 season.[100][101] In the 2019 season, Hightower appeared in and started 15 games. He recorded 5.5 sacks, 71 total tackles, four passes defensed, and one fumble recovery for a touchdown.[102]
On August 2, 2020, Hightower announced his intention to opt out of the2020 season, due to concerns over the ongoingCOVID-19 pandemic.[103][104]
In 2021, Hightower returned to the Patriots and played in 15 of the 17 regular season games and their Wild Card Round game against Buffalo. He finished with 64 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, and one pass defensed on the year.[105] His contract expired on March 16, 2022.[106]
After not playing the entire 2022 season, Hightower announced his retirement on March 21, 2023.[107]
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Won theSuper Bowl | |
| Bold | Career high |
| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | Sfty | PD | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | FF | FR | TD | ||
| 2012 | NE | 14 | 13 | 60 | 43 | 17 | 4.0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 2013 | NE | 16 | 14 | 113 | 65 | 48 | 1.0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | NE | 12 | 12 | 105 | 61 | 44 | 6.0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | NE | 12 | 12 | 61 | 51 | 10 | 3.5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2016 | NE | 13 | 13 | 65 | 31 | 34 | 2.5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | NE | 5 | 5 | 14 | 12 | 2 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | NE | 15 | 15 | 48 | 24 | 24 | 1.0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 27 | 27.0 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2019 | NE | 15 | 15 | 71 | 47 | 24 | 5.5 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2020 | NE | 0 | 0 | Did not play due to Covid-19 opt-out | |||||||||||||
| 2021 | NE | 15 | 15 | 64 | 39 | 25 | 1.5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 117 | 114 | 569 | 353 | 216 | 27.0 | 1 | 18 | 1 | 27 | 27.0 | 27 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 2 | |
On February 9, 2024, Hightower announced he had accepted a position as the inside linebackers coach on the staff of new Patriots head coach and Hightower’s former teammate,Jerod Mayo.[108] Hightower was not retained by the Patriots after Mayo's firing.
