Hightower in 2013
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No. 54 New England Patriots | |||||||||||
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Position: | Linebacker | ||||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||||
Date of birth: | March 12, 1990 | ||||||||||
Place of birth: | Lewisburg, Tennessee | ||||||||||
Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||||
Weight: | 265 lb (120 kg) | ||||||||||
Career information | |||||||||||
High school: | Lewisburg (TN) Marshall Co. | ||||||||||
College: | Alabama | ||||||||||
NFL Draft: | 2012 / Round: 1 / Pick: 25 | ||||||||||
Career history | |||||||||||
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Roster status: | Active | ||||||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||
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Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2016 | |||||||||||
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Tackles: | 372 |
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Quarterback sacks: | 17.0 |
Interceptions: | 0 |
Forced fumbles: | 2 |
Player stats at NFL.com |
Qualin Dont'a Hightower (born March 12, 1990) is an American football linebacker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Alabama, was recognized as an All-American, and was a member of two BCS National Championship teams. Hightower was selected by the Patriots in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
Hightower was born in Lewisburg, Tennessee. He attended Marshall County High School in Lewisburg, where he played for the Marshall County Tigers high school football team. He first drew recognition his sophomore year when the team's starting running back quit the team. In the last four games of the season, he rushed for over 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns. After growing to 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) prior to his junior year, Hightower was moved to linebacker and tight end. He collected 98 tackles, two sacks, and seven forced fumbles, while at TE, he caught 18 passes for 253 yards and four touchdowns.
Having grown to six feet, three inches tall as a senior, Hightower again switched positions, playing defensive end. After recording 168 tackles (14 for loss), five forced fumbles, five interceptions and four fumble recoveries, he was named 3A Mr. Football Lineman of the Year and The Tennesseans Defensive Most Valuable Player in 2007. He also added 875 yards and 19 touchdowns on offense.
Hightower was selected to play in the U.S. Army East West All-Star Game in San Antonio, Texas.
Considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Hightower was listed as the No. 15 inside linebacker in the nation in 2008. He chose Alabama over Auburn, Georgia Tech, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt.