LSU LB Ali Highsmith ran a 4.70, a 4.72, and a 4.87 in the forty-yard dash at the Tigers' Pro Day Wednesday. We've seen Highsmith nearly run down Darren McFadden from behind, but he just doesn't time well. He also measured in at a defensive back-esque 6'0/221. His vertical was only 29", though he did bench 225 23 times. Highsmith will likely be a late pick in April, if he's picked at all. Source: NFL.com http://rotoworld.com/content/home_NFL.aspx
East Coast Sports indicates that Charlie Casserly states that Highsmith is falling in the draft because of some concern about a neck issue--anyone heard anything about that? http://www.eastcoastsportsnews.com
I know him and his brother L.D. (Bethune Cookman) personally and grew up around that area in Miami Gardens. I was disappointed to see his combine times, but glad to see that he made up for it. Definitely one of those guys who plays a lot faster than he times.
A chasing-type LB that is under 6 feet tall needs to run faster than he did and the questions about his neck injury hurt him even more. It's too bad for him because he had a chance to go early 2nd and maybe the end of the 1st when the season ended.
