Alex Highsmith: From Walk-On to NFL Star Linebacker

Alex Highsmith, born on August 7, 1997, is an American professional football linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). His journey to the NFL is a testament to perseverance, hard work, and dedication.

Early Life and High School Career

Highsmith grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina, and attended Eugene Ashley High School, where he participated in baseball, basketball, and football. Entering high school as a chubby freshman, Highsmith faced initial challenges with his physique but committed to early morning weightlifting sessions, ultimately experiencing a 4- to 5-inch growth spurt that aided his development as an athlete. His focus shifted primarily to football during his junior and senior years, where he played as a defensive end. As a senior in 2014, Highsmith served as team captain and MVP, while also securing second-team All-Area honors and first-team All-Mideastern Conference recognition for his defensive contributions. Despite these accomplishments and growing to 6-foot-2 by season's end, his smaller stature relative to top prospects and the modest profile of his small-school program resulted in no Division I scholarship offers, prompting him to pursue walk-on opportunities at the collegiate level. In February 2024, Ashley High School retired Highsmith's No.

College Career at Charlotte

Highsmith joined the Charlotte 49ers as a walk-on and redshirted his true freshman season. As a redshirt freshman, he played in all 12 of the 49ers games and finished the season with 17 tackles and a sack.

NFL Career with the Pittsburgh Steelers

2020 NFL Draft and Rookie Season

Highsmith entered the NFL as a third-round pick for the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he adapted to the professional level during a challenging rookie season marked by limited opportunities behind established edge rushers T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree. He appeared in all 16 regular-season games, starting five, primarily in the latter part of the year after injuries to veterans increased his role. In his NFL debut on September 14, 2020, against the New York Giants, Highsmith contributed a solo tackle and made a key impact by flushing quarterback Daniel Jones out of the pocket late in the game, forcing an incomplete pass that helped secure a 26-16 victory. Over the season, he recorded 48 tackles (30 solo), 2 sacks-including his first against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 9 and another versus the Cleveland Browns in Week 17-and 5 tackles for loss, demonstrating flashes of pass-rushing potential while learning from teammates like Watt and Dupree. Highsmith participated in the playoffs during the Wild Card round on January 10, 2021, starting against the Browns in a 48-37 loss, where he tallied 2 tackles before exiting with a high ankle sprain that sidelined him for subsequent practices.

2021 Season: Becoming a Starter

In 2021, Alex Highsmith transitioned from a rotational player in his rookie year to a full-time starter opposite T.J. Watt, benefiting from the All-Pro defensive end's ability to command attention from opposing offenses and create favorable matchups. Highsmith delivered standout performances in several key matchups, including 1.5 sacks and 6 tackles against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 11, contributing to a high-scoring affair despite the Steelers' 41-37 loss. In the postseason, Highsmith started the wild-card round against the Kansas City Chiefs, where he recorded 3 tackles (2 solo) and 1 sack in the Steelers' 42-21 defeat, providing pressure on quarterback Patrick Mahomes amid a lopsided game.

2022 Season: Emerging as a Primary Pass Rusher

In the 2022 season, Alex Highsmith built on his breakout performance from the previous year by emerging as the Pittsburgh Steelers' primary pass rusher, particularly after T.J. Watt suffered a season-ending pectoral injury in Week 1. Highsmith's early dominance was highlighted in the season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 11, where he recorded a career-high three sacks, including a strip-sack on quarterback Joe Burrow that was recovered by Cam Heyward, contributing to the Steelers' 23-20 overtime victory. This performance set the tone as he led the NFL in sacks through the first two weeks with 5.0, though he finished the year without interceptions despite consistent pressure generation.

2023 Season and Contract Extension

Coming off a four-year, $68 million contract extension signed in July 2023, Highsmith entered the 2024 season motivated to build on his role as a key pass rusher opposite T.J. During week 2 of the 2023 season against the Browns, Highsmith intercepted the first pass from Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson and returned it 30 yards for his first NFL touchdown. He also recorded seven tackles and a forced fumble on Watson, which was recovered by Steelers teammate T. J. Watt for what eventually became the game-winning touchdown as the Steelers held on to win, 26-22. Highsmith navigated injuries and recoveries during his career, including a 2023 knee issue that affected his availability and performance at times. During the 2023 wild card round on January 15, 2024, at the Buffalo Bills, Highsmith contributed 3 tackles (2 solo, 1 assisted), 1.0 sack, 1 tackle for loss, and 1 quarterback hit in a 31-17 loss. He sacked Josh Allen for a 7-yard loss on a third-down play in the third quarter, disrupting a Bills drive and forcing a punt.

2024 Season and Playoff Contributions

Highsmith's performance highlighted his versatility, particularly an improved contribution in run defense, where he earned a 79.7 PFF grade-his highest mark in that category to date-while generating 48 total pressures as a pass rusher. As a veteran presence on a relatively young Steelers defensive line featuring emerging talents like Nick Herbig and Nate Herbig, Highsmith provided leadership through consistent effort and mentorship, helping stabilize the unit amid injuries to other edge players. Highsmith played a pivotal role in Pittsburgh's push to the playoffs, where the Steelers finished 10-7 and secured an AFC Wild Card spot as the No. 6 seed. In the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens on January 11, 2025, he started and notched 2 tackles (1 solo) and 1 sack in the 28-14 loss, contributing to the team's defensive pressure that held Baltimore to just 10 points in the first half. Highsmith has also contributed in the playoffs, playing in 4 postseason games with 10 tackles and 3 sacks.

Community Involvement and Recognition

Highsmith’s devotion to community service in the Pittsburgh, Wilmington and Charlotte areas has earned him recognition as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award in 2025. Through his foundation, the Alex Highsmith Family Foundation, he is focus on empowering the next generation through programs that focus Physical Fitness, Nutrition, Athletic Preparation, Family Involvement, Academic Success, and Emotional and Social Support.

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