Their star player is a mixture
of everything.
"I am being recruited for all over the field. Some
like me at linebacker, others like me at defensive end, some at tight end, and
some at running back," added Dont'a Hightower.
Hightower burst onto
the scene his sophomore year when Marshall County's running back left the team.
"I
started getting recognized the last four games when our starting running back
quit the team. I rushed for a little over 1, 000 yards and 7 TD's in those four
games."
Dont's growth spurt has probably left his running days in
the past.
"I mostly played linebacker and tight end this year because
I am up to 6' 2", 245. But I did play some tailback too. I had just under
a 100 tackles, 2 sacks, and 7 forced fumbles. On offense, I had 18 receptions
for 253 yards and 4 Td's. I started at running back too, but I do not know how
many rushing yards I had."
Dont'a feels like his knowledge of the
game gives him the edge over his competitors.
"I feel like I understand
the game a little better than everybody else. My techniques give me the edge too."
Hightower
is currently benching over 315 pounds and was squatting close to 500 pounds before
having surgery on his leg last year, but he clearly understands he must keep improving
his strength for the next level.
"Those numbers need to go way up.
If I can keep getting stronger and get better with my techniques, I will be alright."
The
'06 All-State selection has been hearing from several schools.
"The
main colleges that are recruiting me are Ole Miss, Auburn, Vandy, Tennessee, Louisville,
Ohio State, Alabama, MSU, and that is about it."
Any offers?
"Ole
Miss offered me the week before I came to their Jr Day."
Did anyone
accompany Dont'a on the trip?
"My mother, sister, aunt, and uncle
came with me. Besides being five hours away, they enjoyed everything from their
campus, to coaches, to their academic staff. They were just into it as I was."
And
what new did Dont'a learn about the Rebels?
"They talked about their
philosophies of competing. That was the main thing I learned. They are all about
competing at Ole Miss, in everything you do, from the classroom, to the practice
field, to the games. If you do not compete, you will get passed by in life. That
is all they preached to us. When you compete, you better yourself, your teammates,
your coaches, and your team. That is what I liked about Ole Miss."
What
was the highlight of Hightower's trip?
"Their campus. I really liked
their campus a lot. It is real pretty and clean."
Has Dont'a had a
chance to take in anymore unofficial visits?
"I went to a game of
Alabama's last year."
How did that experience go?
"Their
pregame is what got me really interested in Alabama. The whole crowd really got
into it and that got me pretty excited. I liked their fan support."
Who
else would Dont'a like to visit?
"I want to check out Tennessee, Georgia Tech, and go back to Alabama and Ole Miss."
What stands out about
the Vols?
"They had a good recruiting class last year, and they are
off to another good start this year. It is also pretty close to home. I have always
watched them on TV, and I would not mind being a part of that. Ole Miss too. I
am not canceling anybody out."
What got Hightower interested in Georgia
Tech?
"I have not seen them, but I want to see what they have to offer.
I just know they must have real interest in me if they have not watched any of
my film and want to offer me a scholarship."
How close is Georgia
Tech to offering?
"Real close."
When it comes decision
time; what will be the main factors?
"Depends on their academics,
how close it is to home, and what position I would be playing. I would prefer
to play tight end, but if not, I want to play outside linebacker."