Why Wasn’t Ali Highsmith Drafted?
Apr 29th, 2008 by gtull1
We all watched the 2008 NFL draft. We saw one LSU player after another get picked (see 7 players drafted in 2008 nfl draft). When it was said and done, a lot of great Tigers were called up to the NFL, but what the heck happened to Ali Highsmith? Why wasn’t Ali Highsmith drafted in the 2008 NFL draft?
ESPN claimed that it was due to some medical issues. I knew that he had surgery on his ankles a while back, but Ali was a super star for LSU. I knew there had to be more to this story, so I dug around. Here’s what I found:
“Highsmith signed with Miami out of high school in 2003, but he didn’t qualify academically. He enrolled at LSU in 2004 and in his first three seasons (2004-’06) appeared in 38 games (24 starts), recording 159 tackles (17 for losses), eight sacks and an interception. As a senior in 2007, he started all 14 games at weak-side linebacker and had 101 tackles (nine for losses), three sacks, two forced fumbles, eight pass breakups and a fumble recovery and 22-yard return for a touchdown. He was a first team All-America selection last season. In 2006, Highsmith suffered a left high ankle sprain and in the offseason had surgery on both ankles to remove bone spurs. Highsmith turned in one of the most disappointing performances of 333 prospects invited to the 2008 combine. While he is clearly better football player than his workout would indicate…”
There you have it. Ali’s injuries were combined with a bad showing in the combine. I guess that was enough to scare the NFL teams away from him.
I’m sure that Ali Highsmith will end up on a roster as a free agent. Won’t he?????
GEAUX TIGERS!!!