Dont'a Hightower believes he's a better player now for Tide

TUSCALOOSA — Dont’a Hightower’s answer included a pause that hung in the air like a wobbly pass waiting to be picked off.

Alabama’s middle linebacker was asked if, 11 months after reconstructive knee surgery, he felt like he was back to the level he was before his 2009 season was cut short in the Arkansas game.

“No,” he replied, then waited several uncomfortable counts before adding, “I think I’ve surpassed that.

“I feel like a totally different player. I feel like I play a lot faster, recognize things a lot quicker. That year off let me get in the film room and learn the defense, the ins and outs, why exactly we do this instead of this.”

Hightower’s ability to run the defense is crucial for Alabama. His move to the middle replaces Butkus Award winner Rolando McClain.

Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban credited Hightower with learning the new position even as he recovered from the injury.

“Dont’a has really done well, considering the circumstances,” Saban said. “He is in a new role as a signal-caller. That’s a greater responsibility, a little more responsibility for leadership. He’s really done a good job with that.

“It’s always difficult when you come back from an injury and you’re out for a long time to get yourself back in the kind of shape that you used to be in. He’s really done a good job of sustaining and continually improving that.”

Hightower said he talks with McClain occasionally, adding he doesn’t want to bother the Oakland Raider. He did get some good advice from his friend.

“Step up and be a leader,” Hightower said McClain told him. “We lost so many leaders from last year — him and Javier (Arenas) and Kareem (Jackson) and Terrence (Cody) and guys like that. He knows there are a lot of young guys who don’t know how to do things yet.”

The biggest change for Hightower is making the calls for the defense. The key element is coordinating those calls with a secondary that features only one returning starter — junior Mark Barron.

Communication is Job 1 in Alabama’s complex scheme. Saban has noted in the past that having everyone on the same page is even more important than being in the right defense.

“It has been a tough journey, but I feel so comfortable in it now I feel like I’ve played Mike since I’ve been here,” Hightower said. “I feel comfortable making the checks and making all the calls and audibles, so I’m looking forward to the start of the season.”

At last, he doesn’t have long to wait. Alabama plays San Jose State this Saturday in the season opener.

After his injury last September, there were no guarantees he’d make it back. Instead of being a great player, Hightower was forced to be a great teammate.

“We had a lot of good times down there in the training room despite the situation,” said defensive lineman Damion Square, who was lost for the season two weeks before Hightower’s injury.

“After a while, you have to take the situation for what it is and understand that he is my motivation to go in there and get better every day and I am his motivation to come in and get better every day. Because we knew what we were going to have to bring to the team this year.”

Hightower shocked medical staff, coaches and teammates by being ready for spring practice — a month or two ahead of even optimistic timetables.

That doesn’t mean it was easy for him — or them.

“I watched him every day to make sure he’s OK,” Marcell Dareus said after the A-Day Game last spring. “Dont’a, he don’t worry about that. He’s a player. He plays hard every down, play in, play out. He’s just that type of person.”

Mark Ingram said if he needs to find Hightower, he checks the film room first.

“He’s studying a lot of film. He knows that defense well. I think he learned a lot from Ro, and he’s trying to step into that role and be the best he can,” Ingram said. “He’s doing a great job with the defense, telling everybody what to do.”

Ingram said Hightower frustrates the offense.

“He knows a lot of what is going on as far as the entire defense, and what the offense is trying to do when they give him certain looks,” the running back said.

The knee surgery and the position change haven’t changed Hightower’s physical nature.
“He’s a hard hitter. He’s tough. Big, fast, strong, pass rush. He’s very versatile,” Ingram said. “He’s tough to get away from running the ball and it’s tough to block him. He can bull rush, he can swim move. He’s very athletic. He gives problems for everyone on the other side of the ball.”

Saban said Hightower has lost weight (down to 260) and got back some speed and explosiveness in the process.

But the coach said beyond the player’s physical ability, the linebacker’s leadership skills have been impressive.

“He’s affected the other players,” Saban said. “He’s done a good job of making the calls. He doesn’t make a lot of errors out there in his new role. He has a good understanding of what we’re doing. We’re really pleased with him.”