Highsmith was a solid three-year starter for the Tigers, and was regarded as one of the most athletic and cat-quick linebackers in the collegiate ranks. He was overshadowed by defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey the last two seasons, but coaches and players will tell you Highsmith was their Most Valuable Player. While undersized to play the position in the NFL, he can look to Tampa Bay's Derrick Brooks to get a feel for what type of success he could have, as Highsmith is generally compared to that standout All-Pro.

A player known for his punishing tackles and big-play ability, Highsmith almost never suited up for Louisiana State. The cousin of former Miami Hurricane and NFL running back, Alonzo Highsmith, Ali originally signed to attend the University of Miami in 2003, but decided not to enroll.

At Miami Central High, Highsmith was an All-State and All-Conference selection, adding All-South honors from Rivals.com. He was a blue-chip linebacker by Max Emfinger and rated the best linebacker in the state of Florida and the Deep South. He led a defense that allowed just 3.9 points per game in 2002, as he registered 90 tackles, seven sacks, eight caused fumbles and six fumble recoveries, including three for touchdowns during his final senior.

Highsmith once recorded two consecutive fumble recoveries for touchdowns during a Class 6A game vs. powerhouse Killian High. As a junior, he registered 90 tackles, seven sacks and two interceptions, going on to earn four letters on the football field.

After sitting out the 2003 season, Highsmith enrolled at Louisiana State in 2004. As a true freshman, he appeared in 12 games, starting vs. Mississippi State and Georgia at strong-side linebacker. He would finish his first season by recording 21 tackles (5 solos), a sack and two stops for losses for the Tigers. He also picked off a pass and recovered a fumble.

In 2005, Highsmith started nine of 13 games at weak-side linebacker. He ranked second on the team with 75 tackles (36 solos), adding four sacks and 9 ½ stops behind the line of scrimmage. He caused three fumbles and recovered another that he advanced 22 yards for a touchdown.

Highsmith started all 13 games at strong-side linebacker in 2006, earning second-team All-Southeastern Conference recognition. He was hampered late in the season by a left high ankle sprain and then suffered a right ankle sprain vs. Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl. Both required surgery to repair after his junior campaign. Still, he managed to finish fourth on the team with 63 tackles (26 solos), including three sacks and 5 ½ stops for losses. He also caused two fumbles and broke up four passes.

As a senior, he again started all 14 games, lining up at weak-side linebacker. He earned All-American and All-SEC honors. A Butkus Award semifinalist, he tied for the team lead with a career-high 101 tackles (49 solos), as he also collected three sacks and finished third on the team with nine stops behind the line of scrimmage. He ranked second among the Tigers with eight pressures, as he also deflected eight passes, caused two fumbles and recovered another.

In 52 games at Louisiana State, Highsmith started 38 times. He went on to register 260 tackles (116 solos), 11 sacks for minus-87 yards, 26 stops for losses of 109 yards and 10 quarterback pressures. He caused eight fumbles and recovered two others, returning one 22 yards for a touchdown. He gained 10 yards on an interception return and deflected thirteen passes.

Positives: Has a shorter-than-ideal frame, but he has a well-defined upper body with a thick chest, broad shoulders, big back, tapered quadriceps and hamstrings, along with good thickness in the calves and thighs … Has the long reach and timing to combat for the pass at its high point … Outstanding competitor with the functional upper body strength to shed (when he keeps his hands inside his framework) … Does a great job of using his speed to give long pursuit and shows crisp cutting ability coming out of his backpedal to make plays on the ball in pass coverage … Very precise with his change-of-direction agility, showing above average flexibility in his pass drops, so much so he could even line up at strong safety and cover in the deep zone … Has an outstanding burst that he combines with excellent ability for making his reads and reacting to the ball … Doesn't get caught out of position vs. the run and shows good awareness in coverage, quickly reacting to the ball in flight … Plays with natural linebacker's instincts and is a classic overachiever who does not let his size stop him from being a solid player … Shows very good effort in pursuit and the coaches cite his leadership and work ethic as the best of any player on the team … Rare to see him caught out of position, as he will generally make quick reads and excels at tracking the ball … Instinctive mover who recovers quickly when he out-runs the play … Solid downhill tackler who shows good urgency attacking the ball at the line of scrimmage, keeping his hands active while working hard to shed … Despite his size, he shows good ability to strike and create separation, as he uses his hands well vs. lead blockers … Will get engulfed by the bigger offensive linemen, but it is rare to see them rock him back … Consistently inverts tight ends and backs in the short-area passing game, doing a very good job of jamming and rerouting receivers. He controls most of the smaller blockers with good hand usage … Has the speed and change of direction agility to get outside and close on the ball vs. the run, as he has the range to make plays from sideline to sideline … Light on his feet doing a nice job of flattening and closing with a sudden burst … Possesses good quickness and agility and outstanding athletic ability to play over the tight end … Does a solid job of avoiding cut blocks while scraping to the outside and has the necessary speed, quickness and agility to get to the ball while in pursuit … Can stop and redirect in an instant, doing a nice job of catching the runner from behind … Needs to refine his angles, but is a sure tackler with valid explosion and strength to drop and strike backs with good pop on contact … Solid face-up striker who explodes with his hips behind his hits … Shows good change-of-direction to make tackles in the open field and has more than enough quickness to drop back in man coverage … Has good hip flexibility and does a good job of not allowing wide receivers to separate, looking smooth and athletic in his pass drops … Peddles and turns with supple hip moves for a linebacker, getting depth quickly and easily … Knows how to open his hips and flip them in his pass drops down the middle … Shows good route awareness, as well as a sudden burst to break on the ball … Displays good speed and power on blitzes, as he counters speed rushes with a good bull rush … Sudden off the edge and redirects well on the move, especially when blitzing … Has the soft hands to look the ball in away from the frame and can athletically scoop for the low ball (just has not had many interception chances) … Has played on punt, punt return, kickoff and kickoff return units while at LSU, showing the speed, athletic ability, toughness and demeanor to be a solid special-teams player at the next level.

Negatives: Has a well-developed frame, but lacks the height and bulk you look for in a linebacker … Must improve his lower body strength, as bigger blockers have had some success in blowing him off the line of scrimmage … Active with his hands, but when they get too wide outside his framework, he struggles to shed … Gets engulfed by the offensive linemen trying to shed in tight quarters … Gets a bit reckless in his pursuit and lacks ideal stop-and-go action, resulting in him leaving his feet and lunging at ballcarriers in attempts to get back into the play … Decent blitzer, but must refine his pursuit route, as he is prone to taking poor angles … Explodes behind his hits, but must get into better position as he will sometimes take a side and try to deliver arm tackles rather than wrapping to secure … Gets washed out of the play vs. stronger pulling guards and lacks a strong anchor to split double teams … Shows very good timed speed, but there could be future medical issues as he has had to have bone spurs removed from both ankles in successive seasons … Must generate a stronger hand punch and better placement taking on blockers at the line of scrimmage (does show good placement in attempts to reroute and mirror in pass coverage) … Has valid field instincts, but his low Wonderlic score (7/13) in a concern.

Compares To: DERRICK BROOKS-Tampa Bay … Smart, instinctive, smaller-than-ideal, but with a big heart are ways to describe these two. Highsmith is not the patient tackler Brooks is, but he has great range to close on the ball and would be even better if he can grasp the concept of taking better angles in pursuit. He has the rare speed needed to force the outside running game back inside and does an outstanding job of reading and reacting to the ball in flight. The next Derrick Brooks? With his ability to defeat cut blocks and scrape to the outside, he's as close as you will find to the Bucs' perennial All-Pro.

2006: Missed most of the Arkansas game (11/24) after he suffered a left high ankle sprain in the first quarter … Sprained his left ankle vs. Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl (1/03), undergoing surgery on both ankles after the season to remove bone spurs.

Campus: 4.51 in the 40-yard dash … 405-pound bench press … 560-pound squat … 319-pound power clean … 33.5-inch vertical jump … 31 1/8-inch arm length … 9 ¼-inch hands … Right-handed … 7/13 Wonderlic score.

A blue-chip linebacker rated among the best in Florida and the Deep South in 2003 … Leader of the top defense (3.9 points per game) in Dade County in 2002 … Had 90 tackles, seven sacks, eight caused fumbles and six fumble recoveries, including three for touchdowns during his senior season in 2002 … Recorded two consecutive fumble recoveries for touchdowns during a Sept. 4 game vs. 6A powerhouse Killian … Recorded 90 tackles, seven sacks and two interceptions as a junior in 2001 … Clocked at 4.50 in the 40-yard dash … A four-year letterman at Central High School … Coached by Tony Saunders.

Communication Studies major … Cousin, Alonzo Highsmith, is currently a scout for the Green Bay Packers. A 6'1", 235-pound running back from the University of Miami, Alonzo Highsmith was selected by the Houston Oilers in the first round (third pick overall) of the 1987 NFL Draft. Alonzo was a member of the 1983 Miami Hurricanes squad that won the national championship with a 31-30 victory over Nebraska in the Orange Bowl. He played in six NFL seasons from 1987 to 1992 for the Oilers, Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a running back. Due to a series of knee injuries, he retired from professional football after the 1992 season. Following his football career, Highsmith became a professional boxer. Over a four-year career, Highsmith amassed a 27-1-1 record in the heavyweight division, with 17 of those victories coming by way of knockout … Alonzo's father and Ali's uncle, Walter, was also a successful football player and coach. He, like Alonzo, played for the Oilers in 1972. Walter was also the former head coach of Texas Southern University and has enjoyed several coaching stints in college football and the CFL … The Highsmiths' cousin, Paul Little, is a successful violinist and composer in New York while his uncle, Paul Balfour, is a successful pianist, harpist and singer … Son of Venus and Elvis Highsmith … Nickname is "Ali" … Born Arlington Louis Highsmith on 1/20/85 in Miami, Florida.