{{Short description|American football player (born 1997)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox gridiron football biography | name = Alex Highsmith | image = AlexHighsmith.jpg | caption = Highsmith with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025 | current_team = Pittsburgh Steelers | number = 56 | position = Linebacker | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|8|7}} | birth_place = Wilmington, North Carolina, U.S. | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 4 | weight_lb = 242 | high_school = Eugene Ashley (Wilmington) | college = Charlotte (2016–2019) | draftyear = 2020 | draftround = 3 | draftpick = 102 | pastteams = * Pittsburgh Steelers ({{NFL Year|2020}}–present) | status = Active | highlights = * NFL forced fumbles co-leader (2022) * Third-team All-American (2019) * 2× First-team All-Conference USA (2018, 2019) | statweek = | statseason = 2025 | statlabel1 = Total tackles | statvalue1 = 337 | statlabel2 = Sacks | statvalue2 = 45.0 | statlabel3 = Forced fumbles | statvalue3 = 10 | statlabel4 = Pass deflections | statvalue4 = 10 | statlabel5 = Interceptions | statvalue5 = 3 | statlabel6 = Defensive touchdowns | statvalue6 = 1 }} '''Alex Highsmith''' (born August 7, 1997) is an American professional football linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Charlotte 49ers.
==Early life== Highsmith grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina, and attended Eugene Ashley High School, where he played baseball, basketball and football.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wwaytv3.com/2020/04/24/pittsburgh-steelers-draft-ashley-high-school-standout-alex-highsmith-102nd-overall/|title=Pittsburgh Steelers draft Ashley High School standout Alex Highsmith 102nd overall|last=Barth|first=Tanner|date=April 24, 2020|website=WWAY TV|language=en-US|access-date=April 26, 2020}}</ref> He played middle linebacker and fullback and was named second-team All-Area and first-team All-Mideastern Conference as a senior. He was also named All-Area in baseball. Highsmith was lightly recruited by college programs and only received interest from Davidson and Furman before being offered a spot on UNC Charlotte's team as a walk on.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.profootballnetwork.com/charlotte-edge-rusher-alex-highsmith-prove/|title=Charlotte edge rusher Alex Highsmith still proving people wrong|first=Andrew|last=DiCecco|website=ProFootballNetwork.com|date=February 26, 2020|access-date=March 25, 2020}}</ref>
==College career== Highsmith joined the Charlotte 49ers as a walk-on and redshirted his true freshman season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fuller |first=Jackson |date=December 5, 2016 |title=Highsmith keeps making strides at Charlotte |url=https://www.starnewsonline.com/sports/20161205/highsmith-keeps-making-strides-at-charlotte |access-date=March 25, 2020 |website=Star-News}}</ref> As a redshirt freshman, he played in all 12 of the 49ers games and finished the season with 17 tackles and a sack. Highsmith was a key member of Charlotte's defensive line rotation during his redshirt sophomore season and finished the year with 33 tackles with 5.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks and one fumble recovery.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scott |first=David |date=August 13, 2019 |title=Alex Highsmith walked on to the Charlotte 49ers. Now he's a star. Is the NFL next? |url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/college/article233783377.html |access-date=March 25, 2020 |website=The News & Observer}}</ref> He was named a starter at defensive end as a redshirt junior and was named first-team All-Conference USA after setting a school record with 17.5 tackles for loss along with 60 total tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wect.com/2018/12/18/former-ashley-football-standout-goes-walk-starter-charlotte-ers/|title=Former Ashley football standout goes from walk on to starter for the Charlotte 49ers|website=WECT.com|date=December 17, 2018|access-date=March 25, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thecharlottepost.com/news/2019/08/03/sports/charlotte-de-alex-highsmith-thinking-big-for-senior-campaign/|title=Charlotte DE Alex Highsmith thinking big for senior campaign|first=Ashley|last=Mahoney|work=The Charlotte Post|date=August 3, 2019|access-date=March 25, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1238322/2019/09/25/meet-the-prospect-pass-rusher-alex-highsmith-continues-to-make-charlotte-a-must-stop-for-nfl-scouts/|title=Meet the Prospect: Pass rusher Alex Highsmith continues to make Charlotte a must stop for NFL scouts|first=Dane|last=Brugler|website=The Athletic|date=September 25, 2019|access-date=March 25, 2020}}</ref> He was again named first-team All-Conference USA and was also a third-team All-American selection by the Associated Press as a senior after setting new school records with 14 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/alex-highsmith-is-a-late-round-sleeper-who-can-help-detroit-lions|title=Late-Round Sleeper Who Can Bolster Lions' Defensive Line|first=Logan|last=Lamorandier|magazine=SI.com|date=January 27, 2020|access-date=March 25, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wccbcharlotte.com/2019/12/16/charlotte-49ers-defensive-end-highsmith-becomes-first-all-american-in-program-history-with-third-team-selection/|title=Charlotte 49ers Defensive End Highsmith Becomes First All-American In Program History With Third Team Selection|website=WCCBCharlotte.com|publisher=Associated Press|date=December 16, 2019|access-date=March 25, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwaytv3.com/2019/12/12/alex-highsmith-named-to-conference-usa-first-team/|title=ALEX HIGHSMITH NAMED TO CONFERENCE USA FIRST-TEAM|first=Tanner|last=Barth|website=WWAYTV3.com|date=December 12, 2019|access-date=March 25, 2020}}</ref>
===College statistics=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |-
! rowspan="2"| Year ! rowspan="2"| Team ! rowspan="2"| GP ! colspan=5| Defense |- ! Tackles !! TFL !! Sacks !! FF |- | 2016 || Charlotte || 12 || 17 || 2.0 || 1.0 || 0 |- | 2017 || Charlotte || 11 || 33 || 5.0 || 2.0 || 0 |- | 2018 || Charlotte || 12 || 60 || 18.5 || 3.0 || 2 |- | 2019 || Charlotte || 13 || 75 || 21.5 || 15.0 || 2 |- | colspan=2 | [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/alex-highsmith-1.html '''Career'''] || '''45'''|| '''185'''|| '''47.0'''|| '''21.0'''|| '''4''' |}
== Professional career == {{NFL predraft | height ft = 6 | height in = 3 1/8 | weight = 248 | dash = 4.70 | ten split = 1.68 | twenty split = 2.75 | shuttle = 4.31 | cone drill = 7.32 | vertical = 33.0 | broad ft = 10 | broad in = 5 | bench = | arm span = 33 1/8 | hand span = 9 1/8 | wonderlic = 26 | note = All values from NFL Combine<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zierlein |first=Lance |title=Alex Highsmith Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/alex-highsmith/32004849-4759-5832-21ce-07274900b330 |access-date=April 27, 2020 |website=NFL.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2020 NFL Draft Scout Alex Highsmith College Football Profile |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1028494&DraftYear=2020 |access-date=January 2, 2024 |website=DraftScout.com}}</ref> }}
===2020=== Highsmith was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round, 102nd overall, of the 2020 NFL draft.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Varley |first=Teresa |date=April 25, 2020 |title=Steelers select Highsmith in the third round |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-select-highsmith-in-the-third-round?campaign=sf:fanshare:facebook |access-date=April 26, 2020 |website=Steelers.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
In week 8 against the Baltimore Ravens, Highsmith recorded his first career interception off a pass thrown by Lamar Jackson during the 28–24 win.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens - November 1st, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202011010rav.htm |access-date=November 4, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}</ref> In week 9 against the Dallas Cowboys, Highsmith recorded his first career sack on Garrett Gilbert during the 24–19 win.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pittsburgh Steelers at Dallas Cowboys - November 8th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202011080dal.htm |access-date=November 13, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}</ref> In week 13 against the Washington Football Team, Highsmith made his starting debut. In it, he recorded five tackles in the Steelers first loss of the season. Highsmith finished the remaining four games as the Steelers' starter, recording 23 more tackles as well as one sack that he recorded during their season finale against the Cleveland Browns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns - January 3rd, 2021 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202101030cle.htm |access-date=January 3, 2021 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Alex Highsmith 2020 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HighAl02/gamelog/2020/ |access-date=August 6, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}</ref>
===2021=== thumb|Highsmith during a game against the Cleveland Browns in 2021 In week 17, against the Browns, Highsmith had two sacks in the 26–14 victory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers - January 3rd, 2022 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202201030pit.htm |access-date=August 6, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}</ref> In the 2021 season, he had six sacks, 74 total tackles (46 solo), and one forced fumble in 16 games and starts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alex Highsmith 2021 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HighAl02/gamelog/2021/ |access-date=August 6, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}</ref> He had one sack in the Steelers' Wild Card Round loss to the Chiefs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wild Card - Pittsburgh Steelers at Kansas City Chiefs - January 16th, 2022 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202201160kan.htm |access-date=May 17, 2026 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>
===2022=== In the regular season opener, Highsmith had three sacks and a forced fumble in the 23–20 overtime victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals - September 11th, 2022 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202209110cin.htm |access-date=August 6, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}</ref> In week 10, Highsmith had five tackles, two sacks, a tackle for loss and a forced fumble in a 20–10 win over the New Orleans Saints, earning American Football Conference (AFC) Defensive Player of the Week.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gordon |first=Grant |date=November 16, 2022 |title=Vikings WR Justin Jefferson, Colts RB Jonathan Taylor lead Players of the Week |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/players-of-the-week-2022-week-10-justin-jefferson-jonathan-taylor |access-date=August 6, 2023 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> He closed out the 2022 regular season with 2.5 sacks in a 28–14 win over the Browns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers - January 8th, 2023 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202301080pit.htm |access-date=August 6, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}</ref>
He finished the 2022 season with 63 tackles, a team high 14.5 sacks, and league-leading five forced fumbles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alex Highsmith 2022 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HighAl02/gamelog/2022/ |access-date=August 6, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2022 Pittsburgh Steelers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/pit/2022.htm |access-date=August 6, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2022 NFL Leaders and Leaderboards |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2022/leaders.htm |access-date=August 6, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}</ref>
===2023=== On July 19, 2023, Highsmith signed a four-year, $68 million contract extension with the Steelers. The contract includes $27.74 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $16 million.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baca |first=Michael |date=July 19, 2023 |title=Alex Highsmith, Steelers agree to terms on four-year, $68 million extension |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/alex-highsmith-steelers-agree-to-terms-on-four-year-68-million-extension |access-date=August 6, 2023 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> 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. For his performance, Highsmith was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alper |first=Josh |date=September 20, 2023 |title=Alex Highsmith named the AFC defensive player of the week |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/alex-highsmith-named-the-afc-defensive-player-of-the-week |access-date=September 20, 2023 |website=NBCSports.com}}</ref> In the 2023 season, he finished with seven sacks, 57 tackles, two interceptions, three passes defended, and two forced fumbles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alex Highsmith 2023 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HighAl02/gamelog/2023/ |access-date=December 26, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}</ref> He had a sack in the Steelers' Wild Card Round loss to the Bills.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wild Card - Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills - January 15th, 2024 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202401150buf.htm |access-date=May 17, 2026 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>
===2024=== In the 2024 season, Highsmith had six sacks, 45 tackles, and two passes defended.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alex Highsmith 2024 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HighAl02/gamelog/2024/ |access-date=March 9, 2025 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> He had a sack in the Steelers' Wild Card Round loss to the Ravens.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wild Card - Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens - January 11th, 2025 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202501110rav.htm |access-date=May 17, 2026 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>
===2025=== In Week 9, Highsmith recorded four tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, and a forced fumble in a 27–20 win over the Indianapolis Colts. He was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 9.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, Bears TE Colston Loveland highlight Players of the Week|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/players-of-the-week-2025-week-9-lamar-jackson-colston-loveland|author=Gordon, Grant|website=NFL.com|date=November 5, 2025}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web |last=Fitzgerald |first=Joe |date=January 15, 2026 |title=DeMeco Ryans Gives Huge Praise to Steelers Defender |url=https://steelersnow.com/demeco-ryans-gives-huge-praise-to-steelers-defender-after-wild-card-clash-they-dont-talk-about-you-enough/ |access-date=January 16, 2026 |website=Steelers Now |language=en-US}}</ref> He finished with a team high 9.5 sacks for the 2025 season to go with 50 total tackles (36 solo) and three passes defended.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2025 Pittsburgh Steelers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/pit/2025.htm |access-date=May 14, 2026 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>
== NFL career statistics == {| class="wikitable" ! colspan="2"| Legend |- | style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"| | Led the league |- | '''Bold''' | Career high |}
===Regular season=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- |- ! rowspan="2"| Year ! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="6"| Tackles ! colspan="5"| Interceptions ! colspan="4"| Fumbles |- ! GP !! GS !! Total !! Solo !! Ast !! Sack !! TFL !! QBHits !! Int !! Yards !! Avg !! TD !! PD !! FF !! FR !! Yds !! TD |- ! 2020 || PIT | 16 || 5 || 48 || 30 || 18 || 2.0 || 5 || 6 || 1 || 2 || 2.0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! 2021 || PIT | 16 || 16 || '''74''' || '''46''' || '''28''' || 6.0 || '''15''' || 15 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! 2022 || PIT | 17 || 17 || 63 || 38 || 25 || '''14.5''' || 12 || '''20''' || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 1 || style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"| '''5''' || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! 2023 || PIT | 17 || 17 || 57 || 34 || 23 || 7.0 || 8 || 18 || '''2''' || '''30''' || '''15.0''' || '''1''' || '''3''' || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! 2024 || PIT | 11 || 11 || 45 || 28 || 17 || 6.0 || 9 || 13 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 2 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! 2025 !! PIT | 13 || 13 || 50 || 36 || 14 || 9.5 || '''15''' || 19 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || '''3''' || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! colspan="2" | [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HighAl02.htm Career] ! 90 !! 79 !! 337 !! 212 !! 125 !! 45.0 !! 64 !! 91 !! 3 !! 32 !! 10.7 !! 1 !! 10 !! 10 !! 0 || 0 || 0 |}
===Postseason=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- |- ! rowspan="2"| Year ! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="6"| Tackles ! colspan="5"| Interceptions ! colspan="4"| Fumbles |- ! GP !! GS !! Total !! Solo !! Ast !! Sack !! TFL !! QBHits !! Int !! Yards !! Avg !! TD !! PD !! FF !! FR !! Yds !! TD |- ! 2020 || PIT | 1 || 1 || 2 || 1 || '''1''' || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! 2021 || PIT | 1 || 1 || '''3''' || '''2''' || '''1''' || '''1.0''' || '''1''' || '''1''' || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! 2023 || PIT | 1 || 1 || '''3''' || '''2''' || '''1''' || '''1.0''' || '''1''' || '''1''' || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! 2024 || PIT | 1 || 1 || 2 || 1 || '''1''' || '''1.0''' || '''1''' || '''1''' || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! 2025 !! PIT | 1 || 1 || 1 || 0 || '''1''' || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || '''1''' || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! colspan="2" | [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HighAl02.htm Career] ! 5 !! 5 !! 11 !! 6 !! 5 !! 3.0 !! 3 !! 3 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0.0 !! 0 !! 1 !! 0 !! 0 || 0 || 0 |}
==Personal life== Highsmith is a Christian.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 25, 2020 |title=Walk-On Charlotte LB Selected In The 3rd Round of NFL Draft – Credits His Christian Faith |url=https://www.charlottestories.com/walk-on-charlotte-lb-selected-in-the-3rd-round-of-nfl-draft-credits-his-christian-faith/ |access-date=January 5, 2022 |website=Charlotte Stories}}</ref>
In 2022, Highsmith married Alyssa Ungrady, who competed in track and field for Charlotte.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mercer |first=Kevin |date=September 28, 2022 |title=Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith leads NFL in sacks with 'foundation in Christ' |url=https://sportsspectrum.com/sport/football/2022/09/28/steelers-alex-highsmith-sacks-foundation-christ/ |access-date=September 29, 2022 |website=Sports Spectrum}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Alyssa Ungrady - Track & Field |url=https://charlotte49ers.com/sports/track-and-field/roster/alyssa-ungrady/6541 |access-date=May 10, 2026 |website=Charlotte Athletics}}</ref>
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 [https://www.alexhighsmithfamilyfoundation.org/ 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. Starting in 2021, his foundation has hosted annual youth football camps and fundraisers to raise funds to provide kids free essentials such as backpacks, haircuts, hygiene kits, books, and meals.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Varley |first=Teresa |date=December 4, 2025 |title=Highsmith is Steelers Club Winner for 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/highsmith-is-steelers-club-winner-for-2025-walter-payton-nfl-man-of-the-year-award |access-date=January 16, 2026 |website=www.steelers.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Perrine |first=Shannon |date=December 15, 2025 |title=Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith leans on faith while running foundation, giving back to youth |url=https://www.wtae.com/article/alex-highsmith-faith-wife-walter-payton/69732246 |access-date=January 16, 2026 |website=WTAE |language=en}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{footballstats|yahoo=32772|espn=4037333|nfl=alex-highsmith}} *[https://www.steelers.com/team/players-roster/alex-highsmith/ Pittsburgh Steelers bio] *[https://charlotte49ers.com/sports/football/roster/alex-highsmith/6179 Charlotte 49ers bio]
{{Pittsburgh Steelers roster navbox}} {{Steelers2020DraftPicks}} {{NFL forced fumbles annual leaders}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Highsmith, Alex}} Category:1997 births Category:Living people Category:Players of American football from Wilmington, North Carolina Category:American football defensive ends Category:American football linebackers Category:Charlotte 49ers football players Category:Pittsburgh Steelers players