PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Steelers second year linebacker Alex Highsmith admitted he saw the mock drafts and heard talk from national outlets of the Steelers needing an outside linebacker early in the NFL Draft. It gave him a little something extra to work for during the winter and now spring months.
“Continue to work the mental game, study more film,” Highsmith said of his training. “Have the most IQ I can have.”
“One thing I came into this offseason wanting to do is to get stronger, put on a lot of muscle. Feel like I’ve done that. I feel like I’ve gotten a lot stronger.”
“Also polishing my moves. I feel like it’s been a great offseason so far. I’m ready for people to see all I’ve been working on.”
He will have eyes on him. Filling in for arguably the biggest free agent loss on the team as Bud Dupree signed for five years, $82.5 million with Tennessee. Dupree had 19.5 sacks, 24 tackles for loss in his last 27 games. How does Highsmith go from rookie third round pick to impact outside linebacker?
“Always be ready and always be prepared mentally,” Highsmith said. “That’s something that separates the good from the great in this league. Everyone is talented. Want to take that to another level this year.”
Highsmith thrust into a starting role over the last five games of 2020 due to Dupree’s knee injury. He made 26 tackles with just one sack.
“First couple of games I was slow off the ball at times because I was seeing too much,” Highsmith said. “As the game started slowing down for me, I was able to process things easier. It will help me create more pressure and sacks.”
There were also the techniques he learned from Dupree and a growing relationship with TJ Watt. Their conversations now continue to the first tee box as Watt and Highsmith recently took up golf. He looks forward to getting on the course and field with Watt soon.
“I’m just coming in with the mindset to be the best I can be,” Highsmith said. “I’m excited and blessed to have this opportunity. I know I have to go in and make the most of it. Same thing happened to me in college. I didn’t end up starting my first couple of years in college and took advantage of the opportunity.”
Did he ever, at Charlotte, Highsmith had 6 sacks in his first three seasons. He dropped the quarterback 15 times with 21.5 tackles for loss as a senior.
Anything close to that will be a win for the Steelers and his new golfing buddy.