by Ian Massey
Alabama is 8-0 and rolling.
The success of the 2011 Crimson Tide is in large part due to a defense that is ranked No. 1 in the country, allowing just seven points a game. And at the heart of that defense is linebacker Dont’a Hightower, a 260-pound force.
But for Hightower, a Lott IMPACT Trophy candidate and a highly regarded NFL draft prospect, a national championship would be the cherry on top of a bittersweet Thursday in January 2010.
Alabama had defeated Texas 37-21 for its 13th national title in school history on Jan. 7, 2010, but Hightower was left hobbling the sidelines with a bummed ACL that was mid-rehabilitation.
“I’m not a selfish person at all, but I felt like I should have been part of the win for the national championship, so yeah, it hurt,” Hightower said. “It’s one of those things you have to go through. I want to get one (championship).”
With his legs under him alongside teammates that are hungry for a BCS title game, Hightower hasn’t favored his knee this season. Instead, he’s been punishing ball-carriers, en route to a team-high 39 tackles and 5 tackles for loss. He’s a Phil Steele Mid-season All-American with more hardware in his sight.
A student-athlete who represents the Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Athleticism, Community and Tenacity that goes along with his Lott IMPACT Trophy nomination, Hightower’s powerful tackles and character have caught the attention of coaches, teammates, teachers and even children.
“I think you are the strongest man in the world,” wrote 8-year-old Brian to Hightower. “When you beat up players, you win games. But you are nice because you try not to hurt them. I saw you on the news and it made me excited because I knew you. […] Please be safe at the football game.”
Brian is a third grader in Mrs. Heisler’s class at Mt. Laurel Elementary School in Tuscaloosa , and he’s Hightower’s pen pal. Hightower is one of a few Crimson Tide players who volunteer time at Brian’s elementary school and correspond weekly with elementary aged fanatics.
“It was amazing that’s what the kids picked up on, because they didn’t care about the dances in the end zone, but they were commenting about how we had really good players and they were picking people up after they tackled them,” Heisler said.
“I don’t know if players know how much of an impact they have on people,” she continued. “They’re inspiring people with everything they do on the field.”
With one year of eligibility left on the field, Hightower is scheduled to graduate early this December.
He’s a workhorse in the film room, often studying Julius Peppers for inspiration and opposing offenses for preparation. Blessed with power and burst, intelligence and leadership skills, he’s been a nightmare for SEC offensive linemen and quarterbacks.
“He’s a hard hitter. He’s tough. Big, fast, strong, pass rush. He’s very versatile,” former Heisman Trophy winner and teammate Mark Ingram said of Hightower, who challenged Ingram in practice for years before being drafted by the New Orleans Saints in April.
“He’s tough to get away from running the ball and it’s tough to block him,” Ingram added. “He can bull rush, he can swim move. He’s very athletic. He gives problems for everyone on the other side of the ball.”
Last season, Hightower was named one of three team captains after fighting through rehabilitation and returning from reconstructive knee surgery to the field sooner than expected. He made 69 stops, 3.5 tackles for loss, and forced 9 quarterback hurries at less than 100 percent.
Kirby Smart , Alabama ’s defensive coordinator, has no doubt as to who the leader of his defense is in 2011.
“Dont’a Hightower. He’s the guy,” Smart said. “I certainly think Dont’a has the capability to be that leader. He wanted to do that last year. He just really never could get around to doing it because he wasn’t 100 percent. […] He’s really got a good attitude. I think he has more confidence in his leadership skills when he plays well, and he’s playing well right now.”
Hightower is a leader worth following. Before taking a helmet to his knee on a chop block that forced him to medical redshirt as sophomore, Hightower won Alabama ’s Defensive Achievement Award for playing a critical role in the Crimson Tide’s defensive unit as a true freshman in 2008. He was one of 11 true freshmen since 1972 to start the season opener for Alabama . After returning from knee surgery, Hightower won the Mal Moore Leadership Award in the spring of 2010, and most recently, the Lee Roy Headhunter Award as the team’s biggest hitter this past spring.
“When your star player is on task and on target, it’s a lot easier to get everyone else to be on task and on target,” Hightower’s high school coach, Dan Thomas, said. “And Dont’a did everything we asked and more.
“He’s a tremendous young man,” Thomas continued. “I think that’s what makes him so special is because he has a tremendous athletic ability and then his character and integrity are great.”
Forever indebted to his family, Hightower gained strength from his mother and sister while recovering from knee surgery.
His mother, L’Tanya, sends her son a text message every morning that says, “Today will be the best day of your life.”
Hightower will text her back, “Today will be the best day of our life.”
That day may well be when Alabama once again plays for the national championship.