New England Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower is on the verge of winning a second AFC Conference title and appearing in his second Super Bowl. The former Alabama standout is having a solid fourth year with the Patriots, totaling 61 tackles, four sacks, two tackles for loss, a pass defended and a fumble recovery. His ability to generate pressure on the edge as well as blitz the “A” gap caught the attention of NFL’s Pro Football Focus, a database geared toward the league’s analytics.
Steve Palazzolo, senior analyst for Pro Football Focus, listed Hightower as the NFL’s “Best Blitzer” in his 2015 Superlative Awards breakdown. A former two-time national champion, Hightower chimes in with the highest pass rush rating (94.0).
2015 season superlatives: Best deep passer…best deep threat…best hands…best blitzer and more:https://t.co/GO0yhSSftf
— Steve Palazzolo (@PFF_Steve) January 19, 2016
Another chapter will unfold next week in this historic Tom Brady-Peyton Manning rivalry as New England faces Denver.
Hightower can improve even more on his numbers against the Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on Jan. 24.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
