PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan)- The Steelers chose little known edge rusher Alex Highsmith out of UNC Charlotte with the 102nd overall pick in the 3rd round of the 2020 NFL Draft on Friday.
But what might really make Highsmith fit in the NFL, and particularly the Steelers, is his mentality.
"I've been fortunate to be around some really good players, I don't know if anybody has the drive that Alex has. If the guy was 6'5", twitchy and ran 4.4 in high school, he wouldn't have been a walk-on at Charlotte. So, there's something that this guy has had a chip on his shoulder about for a long time and has been able to overcome to get to where he is right now.
Don't get me wrong, he's a really good athlete. But I think when you inlcude a really good athlete with a guy who's got a chip on his shoulder and wants to prove people wrong, but yet in the right way, not a chip on your shoulder like a bad locker room guy but a chip on your shoulder as in, 'I'm lucky to be where I am and I'm going to take advantage of it.' It's a scary combination.
I'm telling you, if you ask me to bet on somebody, I'm betting on him. I've never been around one that's a better locker room culture, work ethic, total package. That dude's got it."
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Healy recounted a time when Highsmith's back locked up on him in a Friday practice during stretching. Healy had to force him to go to the trainer's room and get it evaluated. Highsmith still played on Saturday and....
"He goes out and has like three sacks and causes a sack fumble. That's him," said Healy. "I mean, he's going to fight through any barriers in front of him."
"To me, and I sound like a bandwagon guy saying this, but everything that growing up I've felt like the Steelers organization stood for and Mike Tomlin stands for...that's Alex Highsmith. He's a great fit for a great organization."
It's safe to say that Healy has used Highsmith as a shining example to the other players in his program and to recruits as well in what they can become at Charlotte.
"That's been the best part about it for me as a head coach trying to establish a culture. I can look at him and say, 'Alright guys, this dude went from a walk-on to a 3rd round draft pick. This is the way he practices. This is the way he prepares.
Alex is at the [Bednarik] awards this year and Chase Young is standing next to him. It was 16.5 sacks versus 14 sacks. Those two dudes don't look the same. Alex has fought his rear end off to be in some of these conversations. His work ethic helps me establish a culture that lasts well beyond whenever he's here because he's been rewarded for being consistent. That's what you're most proud of."